Organic Hemp Seed Oil Sunblock SPF 30 (240ml)

It may look like summer's been put on hold, and sunscreen - let alone natural sunscreen - is probably the last thing on your mind.

But now is the perfect time to stock up on sun protection that's free of the chemical cocktail found in most conventional suncreams and screens - you'll still have time to mail order the natural alternatives before exotic  holidays and the July sun arrives.

Here's everything you need to know about keeping safe in the sun, naturally.

What's in normal sunscreen that isn't skin-friendly?
Abi Weeds, who works at certified organic health and beauty firm Essential Care, says 'conventional sunscreens usually contain a cocktail of chemical sunblocks.'

Richard Bence, a trained chemist and founder of organic health site BeingOrganic.com, lists the following chemical nasties in common sunscreens: 'Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane which has been linked to organ toxicity, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid which can bring about changes on a cellular level and Benzyl Cinnamate which has been linked to allergic reactions.

Other common UV absorbing chemicals include Oxybenzone, Octyl Triazone, Avobenzone, Octocrylene which have been linked to health issues.'

What do 'eco sunscreens' use instead?
'Generally, natural or organic sunscreens use fine mineral particles such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide,' says Weeds. 'They work by creating a physical barrier on the skin that the sun's rays are deflected off.'

Bence points out that 'the most eco sunscreens are clothing, a hat and shade. They're reusable with little environmental impact and minimal health issues.'

Not all 'natural sunscreens' are equal. Bence adds that 'many natural ones contain nanoparticles (zinc or titanium oxides). Normal zinc and titanium oxides are opaque while the nanoparticles are translucent which is why they are favoured - but their safety is still unresolved.'

Do they actually work?
Weeds says some do, but warns: 'be cautious as some of the natural or organic suncreams don't seem to have been laboratory tested to legally required EU Colipa standards.'

Zinc oxide is the most effective sunscreen, says Bence: 'it absorbs right across the spectrum (UVA and UVB) but in its normal form it is opaque and unappealing to consumers.'

I saw a vegan sunscreen. What meat is in normal sunscreen?
'There is usually no meat in normal sunscreen,' says Bence. 'But there may be any of the following which would exclude it from being vegan: lanolin, beeswax, fragrance from animal extracts (civet, musk, castoreum and ambergris), chitin, keratin, gelatine, elastin, propolis and honey.

Do eco sunscreens cost more?
Mostly not, according to Weeds. 'Natural sunscreens range from between £6 to £30, which is representative of the typical price spread for conventional sunscreens.'

Which brands can you recommend?
Weeds rates Essential Care's own SPF8 zinc oxide-based cream, Dr Hauschka's range of zinx oxide and titanium-based sunscreen products and Lavera's titanium oxide family sun spray.

Bence admits: 'I don’t recommend sunscreen brands as it is unclear which use nanoparticles and no sunscreen has yet met the standards laid down by the Soil Association.'

Can you buy a certified organic sunscreen?
'Yes, but not a Soil Association certified sunscreen, because the Association isn't convinced that the nano-size particles necessary to create mineral-based sunscreens are 100 per cent safe,' says Weeds. 'Both Ecocert  and the Organic Food Federation certify a few sunscreens.'

Bence adds: 'Green People have one certified by the Non Food Certification Company. It is unclear whether they use zinc oxide nanoparticles as the NFCC permit zinc and titanium oxide but do not exclude nanoparticles in their written standards.'

So, if you're worried about keeping safe in the sun while avoiding chemical nasties, you have two options. Either quit the sunbathing habit and cover up Aussie-style, or try one of the mineral-based screens recommended by Abi Weeds.