Effective and Safe Suncreens
Even though summer is over, it's important to protect your skin year round. As long as you're outdoors, whether it's on the beach or on the ski slopes, you and your family will be exposed to the sun. Do you think your sunscreen is protecting you? Interestingly, a 'comprehensive scientific review indicates that 84% of 1,101 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns.'
Below are some of the safest and most effective sunscreens and sunblocks available for the whole family, as well as related resources and sun protection tips.
Below are some of the safest and most effective sunscreens and sunblocks available for the whole family, as well as related resources and sun protection tips.
Contents at a Glance
Safe Sunscreen
These sunscreens and sunblocks offer the most effective and safest protection from the sun. They are also cruelty-free - no animal testing. TruKid and California Baby products are (obviously :) kid and baby safe.
Sunscreens to Use
Use a sunscreen should have SPF 30 or higher and contain at least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad spectrum protection.
Sunscreens to Avoid
In addition, their advice is that we should avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 which can cause hormone disruptions or allergies, as well as spray and powder sunscreens with nano-scale ingredients because the particles might absorb more easily through the lungs than the skin.
Micronized & Nano-scale Ingredients Are Safe
And interestingly, EWG is also now stating that both micronized and nano-scale zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreen provide strong UVA protection, and are considered safe because "repeated studies have found that these ingredients do not penetrate healthy skin, indicating that consumers' exposures would be minimal."
Sunscreen-Everyday/Year round SPF 30+ - 1 - Stick
Amazon Price: $14.01 (as of 12/17/2009) 
TruKid Sunny Days Sunscreen - 4.0 oz.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009)
Keys Soap Solar RX Therapeutic Sunblock, SPF 30 (UVA & UVB Broadspectrum Sun Protection w/Nano Zinc-Oxide)
Amazon Price: $32.00 (as of 12/17/2009)
Sunscreen Summary
What Works and What's Safe
Image and following excerpt via CosmeticsDatabase.com
"In a new investigation of 1,101 name-brand sunscreens, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 4 out of 5 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Leading brands were the worst offenders: None of market leader Coppertone's 48 sunscreen products met EWG's criteria for safety and effectiveness, and only 1 of 115 products from Banana Boat and Neutrogena, the second- and third-largest manufacturers, are recommended by EWG."
- Only 16% of 1,101 products analyzed met EWG's criteria for safety and effectiveness
- Many products lack UVA protection
- Sunscreens break down in the sun
- Questionable product claims are widespread
- Many sunscreens contain nano-scale ingredients that raise potential concerns
- Some sunscreens absorb into the blood and raise safety concerns
· Recommended: 129 products
· Caution: 198 products
· Avoid: 565 products
Sunscreen News
- Natural Mineral Makeup – 3 Reasons Why It Should Be Your Natural ...
- Mineral Makeup is the natural solution for any person looking for natural sunscreen this summer. Especially if you are looking for a gentle and safe sunscreen.
- Comment on KINeSYS: Safe Sunscreen for Your Kids by Green Summer ...
- [...] safer sunscreen is KINeSYS. KINeSYS sunscreen has been voted the safest and most effective sunscreen by the Cosmetics [...]
- MD Moms Baby Silk Sunscreen Giveaway | A Giveaway Addicted Mommy
- Subscribe to my blog via email; Follow me and MDMoms on Twitter and tweet the following: WIN Baby Silk Safe Sunscreen for babies/toddlers by @MDMoms at A Giveaway Addicted Mommy @kariellen Leave the link to your tweet in your comment. ...
- 2009 Suncreen Guide | Environmental Working Group
- Does your sunscreen work? An investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) of nearly 1000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 3/5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don't adequately protect skin from the ...
Sun Protection Tips
be A.W.A.R.E.
Most Americans are unaware that skin cancer is being diagnosed in epidemic numbers, that within ten years melanoma may be diagnosed more often than lung cancer within certain segments of the population, and that the cost to the American medical system could be in the tens of billions of dollars.
Understanding the problem, understanding how you are at risk and understanding what protection methods are available will lead you to the AWARE acronym. Using the methods described in AWARE will help slow the epidemic of skin cancer and may help save your life.
A - Avoid unprotected exposure during the peak UV hours between 10 AM and 4 PM.
W - Wear sun protective clothing including a shirt, a hat with a 3-inch brim and sunglasses. If possible, stay out of direct sunlight.
A - Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to all unprotected skin 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours while in the sun.
R - Routinely check for and report suspicious changes to a physician.
E - Express the need for sun protection to your family and community.
[via SunProtection.net]
Understanding the problem, understanding how you are at risk and understanding what protection methods are available will lead you to the AWARE acronym. Using the methods described in AWARE will help slow the epidemic of skin cancer and may help save your life.
A - Avoid unprotected exposure during the peak UV hours between 10 AM and 4 PM.
W - Wear sun protective clothing including a shirt, a hat with a 3-inch brim and sunglasses. If possible, stay out of direct sunlight.
A - Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to all unprotected skin 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours while in the sun.
R - Routinely check for and report suspicious changes to a physician.
E - Express the need for sun protection to your family and community.
[via SunProtection.net]
Have a Safe Winter!
Check out Beat Winter Skin Damage with Sunscreen--And Less Soap.
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- hayleylou hayleylou Nov 10, 2009 @ 2:42 am
- Great, thanks for the info, this is something that I have given a lot of thought to recently particularly just entering the summer season here in Australia, 5 stars
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- Tanya Tanya Sep 16, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
- Very informative lens. Just to add on your very useful lens, with the technology today we have a choice not to get ourselves baked under the sun if ever we want to get a tan. Avoiding skin cancer while having a perfect tan is the way to go.
Sunless tanning products, self-tanners, or tanning extenders: These home products are generally available over the counter and can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and are commonly sold as creams, gels, lotions and sprays you apply to your skin. The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Sunless tanning products typically go on clear, and you might see results after about an hour. Full color appears within eight to 24 hours. Some products contain a tint, which darkens your skin right away.
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- spirituality spirituality Jun 28, 2009 @ 5:57 am
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
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- Tiffany Tiffany May 18, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
- We use Badger!
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- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen May 17, 2009 @ 10:05 am
- Summer has arrived. A good and safe sunscreen is vital.
Thanks for sharing
Lizzy
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- JenOfChicago JenOfChicago Apr 30, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
- GREAT information, and so important!
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- Jimmie Jimmie Apr 29, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
- Sunburns are especially dangerous for children as they've been linked to skin cancer in adulthood. SCARY!
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Apr 29, 2009 @ 9:33 am
- I have been getting a sunburn despite using sunblock and only going out before 10 am so I have been looking for a new sunblock to use. Thank you so much for the information.
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