Wear Sunscreen

The sun is finally shining here in the UK, and we’re all ready to soak it up. But before you grab your sunnies and head outdoors, let’s talk sunscreen.

If there’s one tip that’s stuck with me over the years, it’s this iconic line:

"Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ‘99… wear sunscreen."(Thank you, Baz Luhrmann.)

It turns out, he was absolutely right. But here's what most people don’t think about: what kind of sunscreen are you wearing?

Not All Sunscreens Are Created Equal

While protecting our skin from harmful UV rays is essential, many conventional sunscreens contain ingredients that may do more harm than good. Chemical filters like oxybenzone and octinoxate have been linked to hormone disruption and skin irritation, and many products include synthetic fragrances and preservatives that your body ends up having to detox.

Your skin is your largest organ, and what goes on it gets absorbed. So if you're mindful about what you eat, it makes sense to be just as thoughtful about your skincare.

How I Test Sunscreens with the Yuka App

On a recent visit to my local health food store, I used one of my favourite tools: the Yuka app. It’s a free, easy-to-use app that lets you scan beauty and food products and see how they score based on ingredient safety.

Together with the shop owner, I scanned every sunscreen on the shelf. We were both surprised to see that only one scored well, and that was Green People sunscreen. Another brand I personally use and love is Tropic. Their sunscreens consistently score 100/100 on Yuka, and they’re my go-to for myself, my children, and many of my clients. They’re gentle, effective, and completely free of nasties.

What to Look For in a Healthier Sunscreen

Here are a few simple things to check for when choosing your sun protection:

• ✅ Use the Yuka app to scan before you buy

• ✅ Choose mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide

• ❌ Avoid synthetic fragrance, parabens, and chemical UV filters

• ✅ Look for brands with transparent, clean ingredient lists

Why It Matters

Many of my clients focus on gut health, detox support, and hormone balance and rightly so. But it's easy to forget that your skin is a key part of the detox system. When we reduce the toxic load from our skincare, we’re lightening the overall burden on the body. Choosing a cleaner sunscreen is a simple, practical way to support your long-term health, without giving up summer fun.

Enjoy the Sunshine, Safely

So yes, get outside, move your body, top up your vitamin D, but do it with skin-smart choices. Your future self (and your skin) will thank you.

If you’d like help finding clean beauty swaps that actually work, I’d love to support you.

If you'd like to browse the Tropic products I recommend and use myself, click on this link - https://tropicskincare.com/pages/kateslatter.

Don't forget to wear sunscreen!