In our family, the arrival of sunny days isn’t marked by exotic vacations or beach getaways. Nope, we run a business, so it’s more like: cue the letter from school. That dreaded reminder that the kids need to arrive slathered in sunscreen, armed with enough to reapply throughout the day.

Most parents grab whatever mainstream sunscreen is on offer. After all, who wouldn’t want to go all-out-war to protect their kids from sunburn? It’s practical, sensible, and very much in line with the school’s message: Parents, it’s your job to handle this.

But here’s the thing: If I’m going to cover my kids’ skin - their largest and wonderfully absorbent organ - in a product every single day, I want to know: What’s actually in this stuff? And more importantly, will it do more harm than good?

The Search for a Safer Sunscreen

Back in 2014, I decided to find a truly natural sunscreen. Something effective, safe, and free from any chemical horrors. I scoured the shelves, picked up bottles labelled “natural,” and read the ingredients. Most of them still had words I couldn’t pronounce, which for me is an instant nope.

I’ve been an avid label reader since my twenties, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that “natural” often doesn’t mean much. I wanted something simple - ingredients I could understand, trust, and feel good about putting on my kids.

But Don’t We Need the Sun?

Yes, we absolutely do. We need sunlight to produce vitamin D, a critical nutrient that far too many of us are deficient in. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to higher cancer rates and other serious health issues.

So why aren’t we talking about this? My theory: If everyone knew how essential vitamin D is, we’d all be lining up for tests, taking control of our health, and demanding solutions. That’s not exactly great news for Big Pharma, which profits from keeping us in the dark - literally.

Instead, what we do hear is constant warnings about the sun. And yet, since sunscreen became a staple, skin cancer rates have skyrocketed. Why? My guess: A combination of overconfidence in sunscreen ("I’m invincible now!") and the dubious chemicals in many of these products.

The Environmental Working Group put it perfectly in their article: The Trouble With Ingredients in Sunscreens. It’s eye-opening.

Striking the Right Balance

So, is it a lose-lose situation? Not at all. It’s entirely possible to balance safe sun exposure and protection without toxic chemicals. People are catching on, and ethical brands are stepping up to create sunscreens with natural, even beneficial ingredients.

The key is moderation. Spend time in the sun during its gentler hours - before 11 am or after 3 pm (10am - 4pm in some high UV regions) - to let your skin produce vitamin D safely. When you need extra protection, use light clothing and a genuinely natural sunscreen.

Enter Shade™ All-Natural Sunscreen. With just four thoughtfully chosen ingredients, it protects your skin, moisturizes it, and skips the chemical nasties entirely.

Why Shade?

Honestly, it’s so simple you could make it at home. But - and here’s the catch - quality ingredients are expensive unless you buy in bulk. When I first tried making my own, I ended up with way too much product. Living in the UK, where sunny days are… sporadic at best, I couldn’t use it all before it expired.

Shade solved that problem. It’s affordable, effective, and convenient, giving sun-lovers a way to bask safely and giving the sun-phobic peace of mind.

The Verdict

I like to think of Shade as the perfect truce in the sunscreen wars. It lets you enjoy the sun without fear, whether you’re a sun-worshipper or someone who views the sun as a fiery menace.

So, the next time the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, don’t stress. Find your balance, protect your skin naturally, and soak up the goodness without worry, and remember, always check the UV index and act accordingly.