Sunshine, Sunscreen, and Agriculture: A Surprising Connection
- agforlife
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Summer sunshine is one of life’s simple joys — from family picnics to long days in the field. But while the sun gives us warmth and energy, its ultraviolet (UV) rays can also harm our skin. That’s why sunscreen is a summer essential.
What most people don’t realize is that agriculture plays a starring role in your sunscreen bottle. Many of the key ingredients that protect, nourish, and moisturize your skin are grown by farmers — including right here in Canada.
Agriculture in Your Sunscreen
🌻 Sunflower Oil
Sunflower seeds don’t just make a crunchy snack — their oil is rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants. In sunscreen, it helps lock in moisture and reduce skin irritation.
🥥 Coconut Oil
Coconut palms supply one of the most common natural moisturizers in sunscreen. Coconut oil gives lotions their smooth feel and helps prevent dryness caused by sun exposure.
🫒 Soy, Olive & Canola Oil
Soybeans and olives both contribute oils used in sunscreen as emollients (skin softeners). In Canada, canola oil is a major crop and is increasingly used in cosmetics and sunscreens for its light texture and Vitamin E content.
🌿 Aloe Vera
Often grown in warm climates, aloe is famous for soothing sunburns. But in sunscreen, aloe also hydrates and calms sensitive skin while offering natural protection.
🌽 Corn-Based Ingredients
Corn is a quiet hero in skincare. Cornstarch may be used to reduce greasiness, while derivatives like ethanol can help formulas stay stable and effective.
🌱 Shea Butter
Harvested from the nuts of the African shea tree, shea butter brings deep hydration and protection to many sunscreens and after-sun lotions.
A Farm-to-Skin Story
Next time you slather on sunscreen, you’re not just protecting your skin — you’re also connecting back to agriculture. The oils, extracts, and natural compounds that make sunscreen effective are the result of farming, harvesting, and processing agricultural products from around the world — and from the Prairies.
Agriculture doesn’t just feed us; it protects us in ways we often overlook. Sunshine may be free, but staying safe under it is a gift of the farm.
Guiding Questions for Students
Which crops used in sunscreen are also important food sources?
How do Canadian farmers (sunflowers, canola, soybeans) contribute to the sunscreen industry?
Why is it important to understand the agricultural roots of non-food products like sunscreen?
Whether you’re packing for the beach, heading to the mountains, or teaching students about the surprising role of agriculture in daily life, sunscreen is a perfect reminder that farming truly touches everything.
👉 Teachers: Book a classroom program with us to bring agriculture connections — from food to skincare — into your lessons.
References
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shea Butter Production and Uses. FAO, 2019.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sunflower Profile. USDA Economic Research Service, 2023.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Coconut Oil and Dermatology.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020.
Healthline. “Benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin.” Updated 2022.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. FDA, 2021.
Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society. “Soybean Oil in Cosmetic Formulations.” 2018.
University of Nebraska Extension. Corn Products Beyond Food. 2021.
Canadian Canola Growers Association. Canola: From Farm to Skin. 2022.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Sunflower and Canola Profiles. Government of Canada, 2023.
Canola Council of Canada. “Canola Oil in Food and Non-Food Products.” 2021.
