Sunscreen is where it all began for me 10 years ago. I had no idea at the time that it would launch my journey into natural living and fuel this passion to live a green lifestyle. By now, the information is out there. You can google sunscreen and get an abundant of information. If you look at the shelves, you will see lots of sunscreen options with different labels advertising the ingredients used.
I become super weird when it comes to sunscreen. If I forget mine and you offer to let me use yours (thank you) more than likely I will politely decline. It sounds awful but with all the information readily available its so hard for me to use something on my skin or my children’s that might be causing a lot more harm than good.
Safety of sunscreen
When sunscreen first hit the shelves, media and health care professionals sold the idea that it would help protect against skin cancer, UV rays and sunburn. However, since the use of sunscreen, skin cancer rates have actually risen. Reports suggest that there could be a link between skin cancer rates and the ingredients found in your sunscreen. The very thing made to protect you, might be contributing to the cause.
Types of sunscreen
Chemical
There are two types of sunscreen available. Chemical sunscreen and mineral sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen creates protection with the use of one or more chemicals in their products. This includes oxybenzone, octisalate, avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. These chemicals have caused quite the commotion over the years due to their ability to absorb into your skin and other tissues, therefore affecting you at a cellular level.
Another ingredient you might not be aware of is retinal palmitate. A vitamin A derivative found in sunscreens (and other skin products). This ingredient was shown to speed up growth of cancerous cells by 21% when exposed to sunlight. (Yikes)
Endocrine System
According to the EWG, the ingredients found in chemical sunscreens are known to be endocrine disruptors, estrogenic and may interfere with other hormone processes as well.
Your endocrine system produces hormones and regulates your metabolism. It also effects your sleep, your mood, your thyroid and your ability to reproduce. In a nutshell, serves function to your entire body. These ingredients can affect a part or all of this system. Kind of a big deal, right? Oxybenzone has been linked to a variety of hormonal issues in both children and adults, including low sperm count in men.
Environmental Concerns
There are now environmental concerns as well , including coral reef damage. Hawaii has become the first state to ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoate due to strong evidence causing harm to coral reefs and ocean life. Several beaches and tropical areas are starting to follow suit including just recently, Key West.
Mineral
The other option for protection for UVA/UVB is using a mineral base sunscreen. The main active ingredient would be zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or both). These ingredients sit on top of the skin creating a barrier instead of absorbing into the skin. Therefore, being the safer alternative. Both of these ingredients have a low rating on EWG of 2 or lower.
By also using mineral sunscreens, it helps reduce skin allergens and has shown to be more helpful in sensitive skin.
What sunscreen to use
EWG database
The EWG database is an invaluable website that gives you information on the ingredients in your products and the harm it may cause. Every product in the database is rated based on the overall safety of the product.
I have a few personal favorites that we use and having kiddos of all ages, I find myself using different ones for their different stages. The EWG puts a list out every year and here is the 2019 list for kiddos and here is the 2019 best sunscreen list for all.
Recommendations
I have become very invested in my skin as I have gotten older (wiser) and more so with my face than ever before. We have all done things to our skin (tanning with baby oil) that we aren’t proud of. While we cant undo the damage that’s been done, we can control how we protect our skin going forward.
I have always struggled with finding a face sunscreen that I like and a little over a year ago I stumbled on to Bare Republic mineral face SPF sunscreen and it is my absolute favorite! They sell it at target too (whoop) It goes on silky smoothe and no white residue. Its amazing stuff and I highly recommend it.
Living in Colorado, lip balms have now become part of my daily routine as well. I have never really found a good SPF one that checks all my boxes so I decided to make one (it happens) and add it to the shop. It has naturally occurring SPF ingredients to protect and amazing oils to stay hydrated. It is my absolute favorite everyday lip balm and you can find it here.
Spray sunscreens have become increasingly popular and for very good reason! It is so hard to cover a 12 year old child with a little tube of sunscreen (ahhhh) so I am constantly on the hunt for a good rating, safe and effective spray sunscreen. Unfortunately its pretty tough to find, so if you find one, let me know!
What is your favorite family sunscreen?
