What Is Physical Sunscreen And Is It Right For You? Sun Juju Founder Ella Liascos Explains

If there’s one thing Australians don’t mess around with, it’s sun protection. As residents of the Southern Hemisphere, we get closer to the sun during our summer months than those in the Northern Hemisphere, which means we experience higher UV levels. Our geography, combined with the health risks, is why Australians apply approximately two million litres of sunscreen annually. This is great news for our skin, health and overall well-being. But there are downsides. Most sunscreens are sold in single-use plastic packaging and may contain ingredients that can be harmful to humans and the environment. Alternatives have emerged to counter these concerns. Many brands are now using low-impact packaging, like recycled aluminium, and formulating physical (mineral) sunscreens instead of chemical sunscreens. Unlike chemical sunscreens which absorb harmful UV rays before they can damage skin, physical sunscreens create a layer on the skin to deflect the sun’s rays. Naturally, people want to know that the sunscreen they use is going to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. So, to find out exactly how physical sunscreens work and how they compare to chemical sunscreens, we sat down with Sun Juju founder Ella Liascos. Sun Juju is a non-toxic, Australian mineral sunscreen brand. Its products are sold in recycled aluminium tins and are made from entirely plant-based ingredients.

If there’s one thing Australians don’t mess around with, it’s sun protection. As residents of the Southern Hemisphere, we get closer to the sun during our summer months than those in the Northern Hemisphere, which means we experience higher UV levels. Our geography, combined with the health risks, is why Australians apply approximately two million litres of sunscreen annually. This is great news for our skin, health and overall well-being. But there are downsides. Most sunscreens are sold in single-use plastic packaging and may contain ingredients that can be harmful to humans and the environment. Alternatives have emerged to counter these concerns. Many brands are now using low-impact packaging, like recycled aluminium, and formulating physical (mineral) sunscreens instead of chemical sunscreens. Unlike chemical sunscreens which absorb harmful UV rays before they can damage skin, physical sunscreens create a layer on the skin to deflect the sun’s rays. Naturally, people want to know that the sunscreen they use is going to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. So, to find out exactly how physical sunscreens work and how they compare to chemical sunscreens, we sat down with Sun Juju founder Ella Liascos. Sun Juju is a non-toxic, Australian mineral sunscreen brand. Its products are sold in recycled aluminium tins and are made from entirely plant-based ingredients.