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May
26
EWG’s Sunscreen Report – Helpful or Harmful?
Filed Under Skin Care | 36 Comments
- They use the words “top-rated”. If they lumped it all into one list and said “Here you go, make your own decision!” which is basically what they told me when I asked them about their choices in their live chat on Facebook yesterday, I wouldn’t be so picky. But they listed these brands as Top Sunscreens citing they are the “right choice”. That leads me to believe (and others who trust them I’m sure) that they support those brands and the ingredients in them. I think this is a reckless thing to do for an organization who has so much available to them and such a wide audience listening. When I pressed them about including a product (Blue Lizard) that contains 3 parabens, fragrance/phthalates, PEGs, propylene glycol and other chemicals they informed me that “Sunscreen ratings differ from other Skin Deep ratings in that sun protection accounts for 2/3rds of the score, and ingredient hazards for 1/3. This is because of the known harmful effects of UV. We show the health score on every product page so people can incorporate this information into their decisions.” I feel that this should be more apparent to the readers looking over their lists. Had they not singled a selection of products as a “top-rated” list I might not argue too much. Let people decide based on the ingredients for each product. Which leads me to my next point…
- Many people trust them and their recommendations because they share so much useful knowledge. Their sunscreen report is the one everyone is looking to (save for the handful of people who use mine!) and the one everyone refers to, including big timers like Healthy Child Healthy World. Some people might assume, that because one Blue Lizard product is on their Top Sunscreen list that the entire brand is “safe”. People tend not to read through pages and pages of material before making decisions. They should but let’s be real. They don’t – which is why I try to keep things on SafeMama as compact and accessible as possible. So my fear is that someone perusing the Top Sunscreens list will go on to assume that all Blue Lizard products are safe because that product was recommended by the Environmental Working Group. The products in question are the only mineral sunscreens in the entire line of products – the rest of Blue Lizards brand uses the chemical that EWG has blacklisted – oxybenzone and other non-mineral sunscreens. Another example is the BabyGanics sunscreen which contains phenoxyethanol, PEG’s and has a few chemical sunscreening ingredients as well.
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Ok so I don’t usually do this but I am going to write an opinion piece here today. As you know I recently released my 2011 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet where I check out various natural brands of sunscreen, inspect the ingredients, write to the manufacturers to confirm information and compile my list of recommendations. Yes, I recommend these brands because I feel they display exemplary ingredients lists and are far less harmful than most commercial brands.
The EWG releases their own Sunscreen Report each year and this year was no exception. Each year I am a little surprised by their choices and I was a bit flabbergasted by their report this year and I’m going to tell you why. Most importantly, I am challenging you, my readers to not take one organizations word for it. I try to provide my cheat sheets to save you time, yes. But I firmly believe it’s in everyone’s best interest to take time when you have it to question things and learn more about what you put on your body. So moving on…
I do not agree with some of the EWG’s Top Sunscreens. You’re probably thinking “Who does she think she is? she’s just a MOM, they are scientists, she has no clue.” And you are partially right. Except for the clue part. I’ve been inspecting sunscreens for years and while I have never been in a laboratory to test the effectiveness of any sunscreen, I do know that there are ingredients we should avoid and ingredients I do not allow in any products I recommend. What bother’s me about some of the brands EWG selected to put in their Top Sunscreens list is two fold.
Now, I am not disparaging the entire report. They do say the list is for “people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor“, so they aren’t right out saying “these are the safest products over all” But what is the point if there are other hormone disrupting ingredients plaguing the contents? Doesn’t that negate some of the purpose? It’s confusing to me, so someone who is not familiar with looking for safe products, or deciphering ingredients, will make other assumptions. I think it’s only half of the story and they are missing an opportunity to really promote products that are safe all around.
There are some GREAT brands on the list, brands that I support and list on my own Cheat Sheet so all is not lost. I just think they should be a bit more selective. They have a WEALTH of valuable information in the report and they explain their methodology and provide far more information than I ever could alone. They are an awesome resource for those who want to know more and I support the organization. But some of their picks are confusing to me based on what they are telling us is safe.
My last issue is the intense focus on sunscreen this time of year. I get more email and comments about sunscreen than anything else. And unless you live in an area where you use it year around, I think people’s concern is misplaced. We should be focusing our “paranoia” on the products we use on our skin every single day. Not something that we use for a couple months out of the whole year. Is it important to scrutinize our sunscreens? Yes! But I think we should be this riled up about all body care products as much as we are about sunscreen.
I welcome your comments and criticism of my opinion. As a disclaimer, I don’t know everything and I don’t claim to. But I know enough to want things to be better.
May
17
2011 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet is Here!
Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Skin Care | 5 Comments
It’s here, the 2011 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet! Each year this task gets tougher for many reasons. One is the development of new ingredients and formulations. Another is that there are now many natural sunscreens on the market from big and small companies that fit the bill. I don’t have EVERY natural sunscreen out there in my list but I try to provide a wide variety of products at varying price points. The biggest problem for some is the lack of availability in stores. Sunscreen’s are not cheap and paying shipping on top of a big price tag can set you back a handful. But the sunscreen’s I find to be the best performing are usually worth the few extra bucks.
Award Ceremony
Best Overall Sunscreen goes to Purple Prairie this year for their SPF 30 Sun Stuff. They just reformulated their SPF 30 lotion and after trying it out I think this one is the best bang for your buck. It works in every sunny situation, doesn’t leave you looking ghostly and has a great ingredients list. Plus, your purchase supports small businesses. A little goes a long way and after testing it out in sun, surf and swimming pools I think it protects great minus the greasy. Double thumbs up.
Best Ingredients goes to Badger for all their sunscreens. Every year Badger sets the bar for safe ingredients and this year is no exception. It’s truly all natural and organic. They have also gone a step further to up the ante on their sunscreen ingredient and are now using non-nano uncoated Zinc Oxide. Badger’s sunscreen is a top performer in protection especially with rough or lengthy swimming. It’s the most water resistant sunscreen I’ve used and protects even after hearty swimming. Badger is always a safe bet. Totally worth the money, especially if you have swimmers.
Best Solid/Stick Sunscreen goes to Babo Botanicals for the Clear Zinc Sports Stick! This is a new product for the company and it doesn’t disappoint. It smells like apples and goes on CLEAR. I can’t stress enough how fabulous that is. It protects, it stays on, it smells good and you don’t look like a channel swimmer gearing up for IronMan. I don’t leave home without it.
Go ahead and check out this years sunscreen contenders.
Jun
25
Review: Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm
Filed Under Product Reviews, Skin Care | Comments Off
I’ve been trying to review more sunscreens that have made it on to our 2010 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet this year and this is one of them. There is a lot to choose from and even though we list only a handful – it’s still tricky to know which one is the best fit for you. For me it’s more or less on a scenario basis. I use one for the playground, one for the beach or pool and one on me vs the kids. So when I had the chance to check out the Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm I was really psyched.
I’ll make a confession. When I first learned about Miessence I was really reluctant to trust them. When organizations set up their business so that people can resell it, I get weary about brainwashing and greenwashing. I felt similarly about Shaklee for that reason (and still kind of do – don’t crawl up my butt Shaklee people). But once I had a chance to really look at the ingredients and practices of Miessence my heart warmed for the entire product line and their products made their way to SafeMama approval.
ElyOrganics.com provided a sample of the Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm for me to check out and I am so glad she did. Here’s what I think of it as a sunscreen.
It has an SPF marking of 15. But according to third party testing OneGroup (Miessence) submitted, gave it a rating of SPF level 29.5. Despite that I tested it on myself first to make sure it would provide adequate coverage and sun protection.
At first glance, the balm appears gray, which I’ll admit is a little off putting. But after everything I’ve learned when it comes to truly natural products is to not judge it by how it looks and rather, how it works and feels. So I slathered it on anyway and set out into the sun to see how my somewhat fair skin would do. Like natural sunscreens it does apply a little on the thicker side at first but does spread quite easy. You do get some of that “ghosting” that natural sunscreens give you but its not as prominent as other brands. In fact after about 30 minutes you couldn’t see it at all. So maybe there is something to the gray… less pale whiteness to deal with.
I wore it at the pool (apply every 2 hours as instructed) and came home with nary a burn mark on me. Success! This is a great choice in sunscreens and I really love the ingredients list which is mostly organic and natural. The sunscreening ingredient is zinc oxide which provide excellent broad spectrum protection.
Get It! You can purchase Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm from ElyOrganics.com – Let her know SafeMama sent ya!
May
28
New FDA Research Says Vitamin A Additive in Sunscreens May Speed Skin Tumors
Filed Under Articles, Skin Care | 13 Comments
Scary headline, huh? Some of you may have already read about this and I wish I had been able to post about it sooner but my kids are off from school and I’ve barely even had time to sit down let alone type. Anyway, recent research came to the surface from an FDA study that indicates that a semi common additive in sunscreens, Vitamin A or retinyl palmitate, may actually speed the growth of skin tumors and lesions when exposed to sunlight.
The Environmental Working Group released their Sunscreen Guide for this year and I know I have questioned their recommendations in the past. I believe I was right in my skepticism in years past. But this time they have done a stellar job checking out basically every sunscreen known on the market, and I agree with just about all of their top choices. Included in their new guide is a detailed run down of the new research findings from the FDA study, so if you are so inclined to read the whole shebang, by all means, do check it out.
Why Is It Used? Retinyl palmitate is added to sunscreens because of its anti aging effects as an antioxidant. About 41% of all sunscreens contain it (according to EWG). It’s also used in cosmetics and other skin care items but based on the information released by the FDA they are “concerned” about the safety of its use in topical applications.
This means a slight need for a revision to SafeMama’s Sunscreen Cheat Sheet for this year because I strive to select the safest of the safest while also trying to provide choices. But I feel this is enough to warrant a revision to the list. I will post an update once I have thoroughly reviewed the items we have listed.
My question to our readers is would you rather us remove any sunscreens containing Vitamin A or retinyl palmitate – or would you rather we apply a notation to the products listing making readers aware of its presence? My knee jerk reaction was to remove any offenders completely but sometimes that generates a lot of questions so I am open to my lovely readers feedback on this one. So far it seems that Mexitan is the only brand containing retinyl palmitate. What say you?
May
7
Summer Giveaway: Episencial Sun Care Gift Pack!
Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Product Reviews, Skin Care | 155 Comments
Down here in Florida, even though it’s still technically Spring – it feels very much like Summer! It’s hot!!! Hot days, beach time, pool swimming, sand boxes… we’re outside all the time. So I figure to welcome Summer into our lives properly, and to highlight one of the products gracing our 2010 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet, I’d talk to you about the new line of skin care for babies and kids by Episencial. Episencial’s Sunny Sunscreen in SPF 35 is a new member of our cheat sheet this year and I think it’s a great addition to the list for a few reasons.
You get a lot of the benefits of a more natural and organic based product without breaking your wallet in half to get it. One of my other favorites costs me upwards of $26 – $30 retail and I love the product but holy cow that’s a lot of money for a sunscreen. What their products don’t have is parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, SLS, or Fragrances (No Gluten or Nut Oils either). What they DO have is organic ingredients and natural sunscreens that are non-nano in nature, providing an SPF of 35 for their Sunny Sunscreen. 
What they also don’t have is a huge price tag. $15 bucks for a sunscreen is much better than $30. I’ll be forthcoming and say the Episencial line isn’t 100% chemical free but they use good practices and their creator Kim Walls has answered a TON of my annoying questions about their ingredients. And instead of getting defensive or annoyed, she explained everything to me at great length and sent me a handful of products – a Sunny Sunscreen to try out myself and a Gift Pack of products for me to give away to one of YOU!
First I want to tell you about my experience with Episencial’s Sunny Sunscreen. My baby has pretty sensitive skin – moreso than my older son who hasn’t ever had a skin reaction to anything aside from mosquitoes. The baby however gets eczema and is generally rashy. So when it came time to try sunscreens I knew I was in for a trial. I started with what I already had on hand (Badger – which I love for my other son because its really water resistant) but what I noticed is that the stuff I tried would make his skin turn pink, so I worried it would be irritated. I tried out Episencials Sunny Sunscreen and really loved it. It goes on like a lotion (not sticky like some other natural brands), has basically no smell to it and protected just as well as the others. What bugs me about some natural sunscreens is the smell. All those essential oils and butters can get stinky! Not with this… no smell, no sticky, no weird whiteness and great protection. And I love that I don’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford it.
Get It: I heard through the grapevine that Episencial’s skin care line is starting to become available at Target, though I haven’t seen it here in Florida just yet. In the meantime you can order it from their website Episencial.com
WIN IT!
Episencial sent me a great Gift Pack of products to give to one of you. One winner will take home a full size tube of Sunny Sunscreen SPF35, a tube of Protective Face Balm (with SPF 6), and their Soothing Cream for eczema and bothered skin.
To Enter (Required):
Visit Episencial.com and let me know which product you think you would love to try out!
For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):
One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents. Entries will be accepted until May 17, 2010 at midnight PST. Good Luck 
Congratulations Elizabeth, commenter #57! Thanks to everyone who entered and to Episencial for providing a great prize!
Apr
16
FAQ: Why Is TruKid Sunny Days Sunscreen Missing From This Years Cheat Sheet?
Filed Under Chemicals, FAQ, Product Safety, Skin Care | 5 Comments
We’ve been getting this question a lot since I released this years Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet so I wanted to clarify my decision to exclude it in this years list. I want to preface this by saying one statement. I do not know everything. See? I’m just like you. But I spend a lot of time trying to learn more and more about the topics I cover here at SafeMama. I care deeply about the safety of products and food. But this is also a learning process for me too. Since I published the first cheat sheet I learned a lot about ingredients, chemical processing, possible contamination from that processing, and about green washing. So when I decided to redo all our cheat sheets for 2010 I wanted to carry this new knowledge through.
One of those ingredients is phenoxyethanol. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used by many “natural” brands as an alternative to parabens. So to the novice ingredients reader, they glance at the back and they don’t see the telltale parabens and think they have something much safer. In some ways they probably do.
In comparison to parabens, trace amounts of phenoxyethanol in a product isn’t too much of a concern. MY concern however, is that say you use anywhere from 10 – 20 products a day and they all contain phenoxyethanol. It starts to add up. All skin care items with the ingredient “water” in them require some kind of preservation method to prevent the growth of bacteria. Phenoxyethanol is one of the preservatives that gets used in lieu of parabens. Phenoxyethanol is also used as a stabilizer in perfumes. The ingredient is processed with chemicals that are known carcinogens so there is some concern with contamination. It is also an irritant to the skin, eyes and lungs as well as restricted from use in cosmetics in Japan and the European Union.
Much to my dismay, TruKid’s Sunny Days Sunscreen contains phenoxyethanol. Does that mean I hate TruKid? No, of course not. I’ve raved about them in the past and still think this and all their products are much better alternatives to most mainstream kids products. TruKids brand is free of parabens, phthalates, dioxanes, SLS and is rated well in Skin Deep. But I’ve come to learn that just because Skin Deep rates it well, doesn’t mean I do. I can’t help but want the best for all of us. Perhaps TruKid will reformulate some day and they’ll be back in my good graces. But until then, I’ll stick with their Sunny Days Sun Stick which has a better ingredients list.
Apr
9
SafeMama’s 2010 Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet
Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Skin Care | Comments Off
SafeMama™ Sunscreen Criteria: All sunscreens we approved needed to be free of Parabens, Phthalates, PEG’s, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Benzoate, Dimethicone, SLS and a bevy of other chemicals I won’t bother listing. Brands exhibit a very respectable ingredients list. The sunscreening ingredient we mainly avoid is the synthetic chemical oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor which can affect the nervous system, has been linked to cancer in some laboratory studies, and creates free-radicals when exposed to the sun which are harmful. Below are our selections of safer natural sunscreens that use mineral (or sometimes referred to a physical) sunscreen which is typically Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide or any combination of those two.
A note about the Skin Deep ratings. Their ratings are a good start, but take them with a grain of salt. They have a big job over there and sometimes formulas change and their information gets a little outdated. Which is why we stress learning to read the labels!
A note about Micronized and Nano: There have been many reports that micronized vs. nano particles of titanium or zinc oxide have the ability to pass through the skin more easily (which is why they aren’t as white as others). There is also a concern that nano titanium/zinc dioxide particles have higher photo-reactivity than coarser particles and may generate free radicals that can cause cell damage. Some manufacturers have addressed this issue by coating the particles to prevent free radical formation. We have listed the exact active ingredient in each sunscreen for a reason. So you as a consumer can decide which is right for you. We will continue to investigate these materials further and share with you our findings. We are comfortable recommending sunscreens with Micronized zinc or titanium (most natural sunscreens ARE). NANO zinc or titanium is something we feel should be avoided if possible.
A note about Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate): Recently the EWG put out their 2010 Sunscreen Guide and with it they made public some information regarding retinyl palmitate and its use in sunscreen. A study done by the FDA revealed it may speed the growth of skin lesions and tumors in lab mice. The study is still in a controversial stage at this point so instead of removing any sunscreens containing retinyl palmitate we have added a notation to the listing so you can decide for yourself.
Sunscreen Lotions & Creams
Badger All Natural Sunscreen for Face & Body
Protection: SPF 30+ / SPF 15
Active Ingredient: Non-nano, uncoated Zinc Oxide 18.75%
Skin Deep Rating SPF 30: 1 (last updated 03/07) SPF 15: 2 (last updated 03/07)
Price: ~ $14.00
Reviews: Kathy says, “I had heard Badger sunscreen was like spreading toothpaste, but I’ve got to say that totally isn’t the case at all. Goes on thick (like any natural sunscreen) but spreads pretty easily, doesn’t have an overpowering smell and really protects nicely. One of my new favorites! Badger says its naturally water resistant and I’d have to agree. One of the few that are 100% chemical free.” Read our full review here!
Notes: For extra protection, choose Badger Lip Balm SPF 15 – safe for you and the kids.
ThinkBaby (ThinkSport) SPF 30+ Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30+
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 25%
Skin Deep Rating 0 (last updated 2/16/10)
Price: ~ $16.99
Reviews: Kathy says, “ThinkBaby has been working on their sunscreen for sometime in an effort to make the safest sunscreen possible. They use mostly natural ingredients and it has no harsh scent to it. Just good ingredients that protect really well. ThinkBabys sunscreen has also passed the Whole Foods Premium Care requirements. Leave it to ThinkBaby to come out with a safe product. It’s not sticky in the least – in fact it’s more powdery and protects great. I’ve been using it for a few weeks and have mostly enjoyed it.”
Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm
Protection: SPF 15 (3rd party tests rated it an SPF 29.5)
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide
Skin Deep Rating: 2 (last updated 4/30/08)
Price: ~ $27.90
Notes: Kathy says, “Miessence has a great ingredients list packed with almost all Certified Organic ingredients. It goes on smooth, but thicker so it would definitely be water resistant. Watery sunscreens always make me wonder if I’m just sweating them off. Has no strong smell and absorbs well. Used it while out walking the other day and no burns!” Read our full review here
Mexitan Sunscreen Lotions*
Protection: Comes in SPF 15, SPF 30 and SPF 50
Active Ingredient: Titanium Oxide & Zinc Oxide
Skin Deep Rating: SPF 50: 1 / SPF 30: 2 / SPF 15: 3 (last updated 4/30/08)
Price: ~ $14.95 – $19.95
Notes: This brand has a great ingredients list overall. *Contains Retinyl Palmitate. See for details. Update: A reader emailed us to say that mexitan has taken Retinyl Palmitate out of their sunscreen formulas. I have not heard back from them to confirm this.
Loving Naturals Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 24.8%
Skin Deep Rating: 0
Price: ~ $9.99 – $18.99
Notes: This brand was rated the top choice on EWG. Has a great ingredients list, no ickies – totally natural. I haven’t tried it yet but it seems promising.
Green Goddess Kids Natural Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 6% and Zinc Oxide 6%
Skin Deep Rating: 2
Price: ~ $12.00
Notes: This brand rated really well with EWG . Has a great ingredients list, 70-80% organic, no icky ingredients. I haven’t tried it yet but it looks great… they also have a variety of adult versions and a face sunscreen too.
Mama Rose’s Naturals Sunblocker All Natural Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30, SPF 50
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (inquiring further information)
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $15.00 – 18.00
Notes: Seems to be chemical free, comes in an SPF 50 which is the highest natural sunscreen SPF we’ve seen. Available online through the companies website. Kathy says “I really like this sunscreen and it’s one of the few times I’ve seen an SPF higher than 30 on a natural sunscreen. Goes on white, but its never sticky or slimy like others can be. CAN get a little chalky but I think that’s due to the high SPF. Rinses off easily when swimming so I save it for long days outside instead of the beach or pool.”
Elemental Herbs Kids Sunscreen
Protection: Kids SPF 20
Active Ingredient: 25% non-nano Zinc Oxide
Skin Deep Rating: Kids SPF 20: 2 (last updated 1/09)
Price: ~ $8.99 – $19.39
Notes: Comes in 1 and 3 ounce sizes and in a SPORT, SPORT TINTED and a KIDS version. The Sport Tinted version is SPF 22.
Purple Prairie Botanicals Sun Stuff
Protection: SPF 15, SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 10% (spf 15) and Zinc Oxide 20% (spf 30) (Z-Cote)
Skin Deep Rating: SPF 30: 1 (last updated 2/24/10)
Price: ~ $7.99
Notes: Purple Prairie has some great products and this one in particular has a fabulous ingredients list. Totally chemical free and uses mostly organic ingredients. Looks fantastic. And how cute is the packaging?
Episencial Sunny Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 35
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 10% & Zinc Oxide 4%
Skin Deep Rating N/A
Price: ~ $14.99
Reviews: Kathy says, “I’ve been using this for a few weeks and really like it. It has no strong scent, goes on smooth and isn’t cakey or waxy. Has a lotion texture to it and absorbs great. Thumbs up!” Full review coming soon.
Weleda Children’s Sun Screen
Protection: SPF 18
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 7.6%, Zinc Oxide 0.4%
Skin Deep Rating: 4 (last updated 6/08)
Price: ~ $14.00 (no longer available anywhere)
Reviews: Statia Says: “Neither of us has tried this sunscreen yet, however by the ingredients listed, we feel it makes the list and is considered one of the safer sunscreens out there.”
Soleo Organics Chemical Free Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 22.3% (Non-Nano)
Skin Deep Rating: 0 (last updated 03/08)
Price: ~ $9 – $23.00
Reviews: Coming Soon
California Baby Everyday/Year-Round™ Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 30+ (Also avail. in SPF 18)
Active Ingredient: Micronized Titanium Dioxide (CA Baby does not specify particle size)
Skin Deep Rating SPF 30: 1 (last updated 03/07) Skin Deep Rating SPF 18: 2 (last updated 03/07)
Price: ~ $17.99 – 19.99 No fragrance: $17.00 – 19.00 With Citronella: $19.00 – 25.00
Reviews: Kathy Says: “CA Baby SPF 30 goes on thick and works well but it’s sticky.”
Statia Says: “We have the bug blend and it goes on well, not as sticky, but it has a strong smell.”
Variations: These come in a No Fragrance version and a Citronella version (which Kathy can never find)
Burt’s Bees Chemical Free Sunscreen (w/ or w/o Hemp Seed Oil)
Protection: SPF 30+ (Also avail. in SPF 15)
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide (8.58%)
Skin Deep Rating SPF 30: 3 (last updated 04/10) SPF 15: 3 (last updated 04/10)
Price: ~ $9.99 – 11.00
Reviews: Statia Says: “I wasn’t really that impressed with this stuff. It was immediately cakey upon contact with the skin, and yet, I still felt really sticky. I felt gross all day.”
Kathy says, “I made friends with the SPF 30 version… it is a little tough to get on but it protects like the rest. It’s not my first choice, but it works.”
Erbaviva Natural Children’s Sunscreen
Protection: SPF 15
Active Ingredient: Micronized Titanium Dioxide
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $26.00
Reviews: Kathy says, ” This sunscreen blends in wonderful and there is no over powering scent whatsoever – great for faces too. I use it mostly on myself as a daily sunscreen since the SPF is lower. Works great under make up too.” Full review here.
Kabana Skin Care Green Screen
Protection: SPF 20
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 25%
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $16.50 40z.
Company Website: KabanaSkinCare.com
Notes: Made from 8 edible-grade organic and natural ingredients and uses non-nano Zinc Oxide for protection. This only has an SPF of 20 (also available in tinted SPF 22 and SPF 15) but it a great option as far as safe ingredients go. We’re anxious to give it a try. Kathy says “I tried a sample of this and I love that its mostly natural, but it makes you look pretty white and powdery looking. Does protect and isn’t greasy.”
Sunblock Sticks
Purple Prairie Sun Stick
Protection: SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20% (Z-Cote)
Skin Deep Rating: 1 (last updated 2/24/10)
Price: ~ $7.49
Notes: Purple Prairie has some great products and this one in particular has a fabulous ingredients list. Totally chemical free and uses mostly organic ingredients. Looks fantastic.
TruKid Sunny Days Face Stick
Protection: SPF 30+
Active Ingredient: Micronized Titanium Dioxide 8%
Skin Deep Rating: 0 (last updated 3/08)
Price: ~ $8.99
Reviews: Kathy says “I carry one of these in my bag for those ‘oops I forgot’ moments or unexpected uses. I rub a little on faces and cheeks for quick protection. Makes getting tops of ears and noses easy too…stays on well. “
SuperGoop Dr. T’s Quickstick
Protection: SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 8%, Zinc Oxide 5%
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $9.00
Important Editor’s Note: This is the only SuperGoop product we feel comfortable recommending. SuperGoop has reformulated their sunscreens to eliminate parabens and some synthetic ingredients but they still contain phenoxyethanol. They aren’t horrible but there are more natural choices.
California Baby Everyday/Year-Round™ Sunblock Stick
Protection: SPF 30+
Active Ingredient: Micronized Titanium Dioxide
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $14.99
Sunscreen Usage and Sun Tips
Follow the directions on the sunscreen you use for proper sun protection. However, our motto is “everything in moderation”. This means sun exposure too of course. It’s ok to be out in the sun for 20 minutes without covering every square inch of your kid with SPF 80. Sun exposure is good for us, (Vitamin D!), and it’s been studied that people – especially kids – with regular moderate time in the sun are healthier and may have less risk of developing conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or other auto-immune deficiencies. But sunburns are not good, so choose a safe sunscreen and apply according to the directions for days when extended sun exposure is on the docket!
When the option is available, use hats, cotton clothing or use the shade of umbrellas to avoid too much sun exposure. No need to bake in the sun all day… keep cool and stay in the shade! Investing in some SPF Protected clothing for the kids is a good idea too. Reduces the need for so much sunscreen and can have a UVB protection of up to 50. Snapper Rock makes great SPF Swimwear for kids. We also like Baby Banz Sun Hats for baby and kids… they also have a wide brimmed bucket hat with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor rating of 50+. The wide brim helps keep sun off kids faces. If you can avoid prolonged sun exposure between 10-2 it’s recommended.
Enjoy the outdoors! Be sure to check out our Safer Bug Repellent Report for safe choices to keep the buggies at bay.
May
22
Review: Erbaviva Natural Sunscreen
Filed Under Skin Care | Comments Off
When I started revamping the Sunscreen Cheat Sheet for this season I always had “kids” in mind for trying out products. Never did I think I’d find one that I love more for myself than my kids. I’m not a sun worshiper (and if I could go back to my teenage years and slap some sense into myself for slathering up with SPF 2 oil and laying out on my deck for hours I would. I’m prone to skin cancer and generally try to protect myself as much as I can with a hat and umbrellas. But it’s not always unavoidable (especially for those of us who live in perpetually sunny climates).
So when Erbaviva sent me a sample of their Natural Sunscreen with SPF 15 I decided to try it on myself instead of my son. I tend to prefer 30+ on my son since he’s fair like me and is much more active, being 3 and all. At first my initial reaction was “Nice packaging… but $26 bucks for a tube of sunscreen, are you high?” Then I tried it. Now, finding a natural sunscreen can be tough since many brands tend to be on the greasy side due to the oils, which actually make it more water resistant. So I expected the same semi-greasy consistency but that wasn’t the case. This sunscreen blends in wonderfully and there is no over powering scent whatsoever. This sunscreen is scented with lavender and chamomile but really, you don’t walk around smelling like an herbal shop. It goes on smooth and doesn’t leave you all white looking.
I’d even go so far as to say this would be great for faces since it lacks that “I will break out from this” quality and has no smell. I think the ladies will like this more for themselves than for the kids. Although its designed to be safe for mom and kids so either use will suit just fine. It uses minimal ingredients and the active sunscreen ingredient is micronized titanium (not nano) dioxide.
Pick It Up: They sell out of this sunscreen really fast on their website so your best bet is to grab it on Amazon.com!
May
13
We get this question often. I think mainly due to the fact that the EWG has it rated in their Top 10 recommended brands. It’s true, Blue Lizard doesn’t use oxybenzone like many other brands but the sunscreen ingredient isn’t what has kept it off our Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet the last 2 years. Below is the list of ingredients from the Blue Lizard “Chemical Free” Baby Sunscreen*:
Active ingredients: zinc oxide (10.0%), titanium dioxide (5.0%)
Inactive ingredients: purified water, ethylhexyl palmitate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, ethylhexyl stearate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, hexyl laurate, propylene glycol, cetyl dimethicone, trimethylated silica/dimethicone, octododecyl neopentanoate, VP/hexadecene copolymer, methyl glucose dioleate, PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil, sorbitol oleate, hydrogenated castor oil, beeswax, stearic acid, cetyl dimethicone, methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, disodium EDTA, diazolidinyl urea, tocopheryl acetate
What baffles me is that on this particular bottle of sunscreen it says “chemical free” right on the label. Now, it’s true I am no scientist but just looking at that list of ingredients, I can pretty much guess that’s not really the case. Unless in a parallel universe propylene glycol, PEG/PPG-10, methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben’s are natural. So for those of you who are looking for a chemical free option there are sunscreens worth checking out that offer the same SPF protection.
This is a perfect example for those of you out there emailing us confused about all the crazy ingredients we worry about now. This sunscreen is rated a 2 in the Skin Deep Database despite its chemical formula packed with parabens. So while yes, Skin Deep is a great resource / starting point, it just validates that doing a little homework and getting yourself more familiar with label reading can go a long way.
*This is the ingredients formulation I could find. The Blue Lizards website conveniently has broken links where they disclose their ingredients. If someone has a bottle or knows where a more recent formulation list can be found let me know and I’ll edit this post to reflect the changes.
May
1
Review: Badger Sunscreens!
Filed Under Product Reviews, Skin Care | Comments Off
We recently published our Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet for this year and in doing so, I went ahead and tried out some brands I hadn’t tried before. You know, all in the name of fun in the sun. I knew I had to try Badger’s sunscreen first since I have heard so many different things about it. I learned about Badger, the company, by chance one day when a friend sent me one of their lip balms (anyone who knows me well knows my love for lip balm) and I saw a line of their Badger Balms in a store shortly after.
Badger is a family run business out of New Hampshire that they started out of their kitchen in 1995. Now expanded to a larger and very friendly company (they give their employees free organic lunches!). All of their products are made of 100% natural ingredients – no chemicals. When possible they use organic ingredients and all their products contain 60% or more organic ingredients.
On to the sunscreen. Badger’s SPF 30 Sunscreen is now one of my favorites. This sunscreen applies smooth enough to spread all over and while it does have the trademark whiteness that almost all natural sunscreens do, I see this as a positive thing. It does apply white, and will absorb quite well – but the whiteness actually helps me to see what areas of my son I’ve covered before it becomes more transparent. So no spots missed and phantom sunburn spots to be had.
They use 20.5% Micronized Zinc Oxide for the sun protecting ingredient which forms a physical barrier between you and the sun. They’ve done a lot of research and have a very useful and informative FAQ section on their site that explains sun protection, why they chose Zinc Oxide, and has a really great explanation of micronized vs nano in their Sunscreen FAQ. (For those of you who emailed us to say “how could you recommend XYZ sunscreen with micronized particles???” this is a great explanation as to why).
What I also love about this brand is its naturally water resistant. Like many of you, your kids can spend hours playing in water, toweling off and playing some more. Badger seems to withstand a great deal of wear and tear without having to re-apply. If you’re at the beach you KNOW how much of pain it is to re-coat a kid covered in sand. Not fun!
There is no overpowering smell and due to the water resistant nature it stays out of eyes and where it belongs. It really protects well and I’ve started using it on myself as well. Badger gets two thumbs up from SafeMama.com.
Get It! Badger Sunscreens come in SPF 30, SPF 15 and in an SPF 15 Lip Balm as well. These are great for face and body, adults or kids. totally safe and natural for everyone and without any nasty junk to harm you or marine life. You can order Badger Sunscreen online from their website, through Amazon.com, or at retails stores.
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