Yesterday we took a trip to visit the baby goats at Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy and I was reminded that it is Sunscreen Season. So far in my son’s short toddler-hood it has been cool enough out that I’ve just dressed him in long pants and shirts. The last few days however, have been above 80 F and this weekend they are opening the local pools, so it is definitely time to look into sunscreens.

Personally, I find it a little ironic that sunscreen, which is supposed to protect us, is also notorious for being made from harmful chemicals.  And, even though I read up on the good and the bad every season, I can’t seem to keep in my noggin the difference between zinc oxide (good) and oxybenzone (bad). So, I was thrilled to be reminded by a fellow mom of the study done by the Environmental Working Group that looks at 1,013 (yes, that’s right 1,013) different sunscreens. The study identifies the good and the bad, what works and what doesn’t. So whether you are buying sunscreen for a balding head or little legs, follow this link to learn how your favorite sunscreen measures up. The report is extensive (and may require you to create an account), but it is well worth your time.

The Best Sunscreens:

For those of you who don’t have the time to check out the report, here are the top sunscreens with regard to the safest & most effective brands according to Skin Deep (#1 is the BEST and of course the most expensive):

1. Keys Soap Solar RX Therapeutic Sunblock, SPF 30

2. Badger All Natural SPF 30 Sunblock

3. California Baby SPF 30 + Sunblock Stick

4. California Baby SPF 30 + Sunblock Stick - No Fragrance

5. ColorScience Sunforgettable Rock and Roller Ball, SPF 30

The following 5 Sunscreens are more widely found, but contain some ingredients that are of concern.

6. Blue Lizard Australian Suncream SPF 30, Sensitive (My husband found Blue Lizard a few years ago and it has protected our family on many a summer and high altitude outing! The bottle turns from white to blue in UV light and can be used as a bit of a litmus test to see how strong the sun is when you are outside!)

7. California Baby SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion

8. Coppertone Endless Summer Ultrasheer Sunscreen Stick

9. Banana Boat Surf Sunblock Lotion with AquaShield H2O Protection, SPF 30

10. Neutrogena Sunblock Lotion For Sensitive Skin, SPF 30

Whether or not you can find the above products (I’ve linked to them where I can), according to Skin Deep you should above all avoid the following 3 ingredients, which are known to be allergenic and or cancer causing (so much for the sunscreen!):

• Oxybenzone (a photocarcinogen, which means it becomes cancer causing in light…um…duh…not such a bright idea!)
• DMDM Hydantoin (If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to a sunscreen — I certainly have — this ingredient might be to blame!)
• Triethanolamine

Sunscreen and Babies:

In general most pediatricians (and bottles of sunscreen) tell you not to apply sunscreen to babies under 6 months (and in some case 1 year). The reason for this is that many of the chemicals in popular sunscreens HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED or they fall into the category of sunscreens that contain know chemical irritants or toxins, such as the three mentioned above. If you do apply sunscreen to an infant in the 6 month to 1 year range, make sure not to put it on their hands (ingesting sunscreen is never a good idea), apply it lightly and use one of the first few sunscreens listed above. I’d also avoid nano sunscreens that contain nano-particles of zinc. Topical zinc is okay, but the jury is still out as to whether or not nano-zinc will be absorbed and it is best not to use this on babies!

Sun Protective Clothing:

Another great option when it comes to being outdoors? Clothes that protect you from the sun’s rays. In the past I thought that this was a completely dorky option, but as a mom and the owner of more than a few freckles & moles and age lines — protective clothing is starting to look like a pretty smart option!  There are certain fabrics that have been manufactured to have a certain SPF or be UV resistant, but there are others such as bamboo that afford some natural protection. The following are some ideas for protective clothing that are made in the USA and or by eco-friendly companies.

Sun Grubbies is Made in the USA and offers a range of clothing from babies to grown-ups.

Bamboosa (and Bamboo Baby) makes bamboo clothing in the USA for adults and babies, including hats and onesies that are natural UV resistant.  They also sell Blue Lizard sunscreen as mentioned above.

Patagonia (one of my favorite green stores) carries a variety of clothing options that offer sun protection. In fact, I’d be more than happy to wear this long sleeved Rash Guard (although perhaps not in black on a hot summer’s day)! BTW — rash guard is a term that is often used to describe sun protective clothing, which serves the dual purpose of protecting you from heat rash (or activity rash) and the sun!

In general — try to stay out of the sun from 10 AM to 2 PM — and wear a hat or stay in the shade when you do go out! And, if you are wearing sunscreen, apply it indoors at least 20 minutes before you are exposed to the sun and re-apply after swimming or perspiration! We keep a set of hats and a bottle of Blue Lizard sunscreen in the glove compartment of the car, so that we are never (or almost never) caught out and about without sun protection!