If you are looking to replace your more toxic sunscreens with safer ones, it is not very difficult. That is what is so wonderful about America – there are so many products to choose from. We just need to keep out eyes open and make better choices.
The Environmental Working Group’s top 7 safest and most effective sunscreens are a place to start:
- Badger (Found at Whole Foods)
- California Baby (Found at Whole Foods and Target)
- Loving Naturals (Mostly on-line orders)
- Purple Prairie (Mostly on-line orders)
- Soleo (Found at Whole Foods)
- Think Baby/Think Sport (Found at It’s Only Natural, 407 West Gregory Blvd)
- UV Natural (Mostly on-line orders)
Remember, while these are rated #1, there are many other sunscreen options out there that are excellent, like these.
You can also go to Environmental Working Groups website and search for your favorite brands and see how they stack up.
What makes these sunscreens different from, say, Coppertone Spot Spray? First, they are not sprays, which must contain chemicals that help them disseminate. Second, they avoid the more toxic sunscreen chemicals like Oxybenzone and use safer materials such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Last, they avoid additives like fragrances, colors, parabens, etc.
Don’t be surprised if you start hearing about Titanium Dioxide either! While no studies have shown anything except its innocuous safty (except a study in rats that when inhaling it in dust form, but that doesn’t really apply) it hasn’t stayed clear of some criticism. In its typical form, Titanium Dioxide is a reflector and sits on the skin. New technology has enabled it to be broken down into “nano-particles” so that you don’t have that white color that doesn’t absorb. Currently, these particles are still too big to enter the cell wall, but the concern is that as technology progresses, we will have to watch out the particles don’t get too small.
Weather you order your sunscreen on-line, make a trip to Whole Foods, or just want to pick the best sunscreen at your local Pharmacy, there are better choices everywhere. On a trip to my local Osco, I found a few “natural” choices that, while rated a 3, are better than my previous choices, which were rated a 7! Remember, don’t make it hard for yourself, or you will tend not to do it at all.
thank you so much for posting..I am picking up one of these today..this is so helpful as I weed through the issues..
Thanks! I hope you find them easily!
Hey Lina,
Got the natural Alba and Soliel sunscreens for today. They are both paraben and oxybenzone free. So will let you know how they work on Elle. Thanks for keeping me aware!
On another note, have you heard of the “Rave” diet? Came about in conversation w/a friend yesterday. Very interesting. Thoughts?
Where did you find them? Curious…
Found them at Green Acres. The Jason mineral sunblock is SPF 30, and I put it on Elle today. She was out I the 90 degree sun from 10am until 4pm today and she didn’t burn at all! Plus, no rash! It does leave a little pastey white residue, but that didn’t seem to bother her.
BTW, I am looking into the Rave diet. It looks very similar to other anti-cancer diets out there (which is basically plant based) I am sure I will love reading the book, so thank you! I’ll let you know what I find out 🙂
That is really great to know. I’ll have to try that brand next!
Hi all –
I am curious to hear which ones people find the best. Last year I bought the Burts Bees version for the kids, but it made a kind of white pasty coating on them…(it was especially goofy looking on Miss Lena). Happy Summer!
I am laughing at the image – did she look like a mime? So funny. If you click on the link about other good options, there are the best rated non-mineral sunscreens, which means the chemical based, but they won’t turn her white!
Lina
Are you eating your sunscreen?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,590573,00.html
With sugar! Smart *ss…you’re lucky I like you 🙂
Lina, I struck out at Whole Foods, so I went to luckyvitamin.com and found both Badger and Soleo at 20% discounts and stocked up…
Hey, thanks for that!
While I’m always skeptical of any report issued by an environmental agency (assuming they have some sort of agenda), I have been following the latest sunscreen reports to some extent. I’m somewhat prepared to start shelling out the extra $$ for California Baby, etc. (and throw out the Aveeno Baby!) for Carson, I will probably stick w/ Banana Boat spray and the Target brand for myself, particularly after reading the latest consumer reports regarding these products. This little tidbit was interesting comparing the Consumer Reports with the EWG study: http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2010/06/the-best-sunscreen-.html
I appreciate that article. I think it is an excellent explanation between Consumer Report and EWG stance on products. I think it is important for consumers to know what is in their products and what alternatives are out there so they can make the best decision for themselves – whatever that may be!
[…] have written about this before. Check out last year’s post here to get a quick overview of the chemicals and other issues in typical […]
Hey! Did you know that many sunscreens (including some of the natural ones) contain nano-particles. That’s how they make the zinc clear apparently, by making the particles incredibly tiny – this means they can pass through the skin!
We use Wot Not, which apparently is nano free. x
Yes, I have done some research on nanoparticles. Its always something, right? From what I have read, the jury is still out of the nanoparticle debate and less so on the chemical debate, so my thought is if you had to chose (and cannot find nano free) I would still opt for the zinc based. The other issue with nano free is you look white when you have it on! How does Wot Not compare? Does it go on really white? Thanks for the comment!