Sunlight, Skin, SPF — Light as a Regulator

Light as Nourishment

The sun is not something to fear. It’s a natural regulator of hormones, mood, and circadian rhythm, setting the tone for sleep, energy, and the skin’s natural repair processes.

For most people, the challenge isn’t sunlight but imbalance. Too much, too long or at the wrong time of day. Yet small, consistent doses of sunlight—particularly in the early morning or late afternoon—help the body produce vitamin D, support serotonin levels, and maintain rhythm. The skin and body have always known how to interpret light. The goal isn’t to avoid it, but to move with it intelligently.

Short bursts of natural light have measurable benefits: they regulate melatonin, strengthen immune response, and support the body’s ability to repair. Exposure before 11 a.m. or after 2 p.m. tends to provide those benefits with far less intensity from ultraviolet radiation. Science continues to confirm what intuitive living has always understood: the skin is a sensory organ, capable of reading the sun’s language. When light is met with moderation, it restores balance rather than causing harm.

Understanding Sunscreen

There are two main approaches to UV protection: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens rely on filters such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, or octocrylene. These work by absorbing UV rays and converting them into heat. While functional, they can destabilise under light and may irritate sensitive or post-treatment skin. Some have also raised environmental and endocrine concerns.

Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, use physical filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These sit on the surface of the skin and reflect UV rays rather than absorbing them. They are stable, gentle, and suitable for all skin types—especially those that are reactive or recovering.

Why Zinc Oxide

Zinc oxide remains one of the most reliable and well-studied natural UV protectants. It’s broad-spectrum, shielding against both UVA and UVB without chemical conversion. Its stability under heat and light means protection stays consistent. Unlike some chemical filters, zinc oxide doesn’t interfere with the skin’s microbiome or hormonal balance. Non-nano zinc particles are too large to penetrate the skin, so protection remains on the surface—exactly where it’s needed.

Beyond protection, zinc supports healing. It helps soothe irritation, reduce redness, and maintain moisture levels. These qualities make it particularly effective for those who spend time outdoors or have undergone facial treatments.

True skin health sits somewhere in the middle not in constant avoidance and not in excess. Sunlight, taken in moderation, supports far more than it harms. A simple rhythm helps maintain that balance: around twenty minutes front and twenty minutes back, ideally before 11 a.m. or after 2 p.m. It’s enough to absorb beneficial light and support the body’s natural systems without overwhelming the skin.

For longer days in the sun, a clean mineral SPF offers calm, consistent protection without the heaviness or chemicals. The one used and trusted in the studio is Forah Everyday Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, a non-nano zinc oxide formula blended with nourishing plant oils. It protects, supports, and still allows the skin to breathe. For longer days in the sun, a clean mineral SPF offers calm, consistent protection without the heaviness or chemicals. The one used and trusted in the studio is Forah Everyday Mineral Sunscreen — a non-nano zinc oxide formula blended with nourishing plant oils. It protects, supports, and still allows the skin to breathe.