sunscreen?

[LillianB]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good sunscreen. I have a ton of chemical sunscreens that I love and use faithfully but am wondering about switching over to something less toxic. Any suggestions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[RedOakMomma]

There is a lot of research on the effects of nanoparticles on developing fetuses. It's not good. To that end, I would avoid the spray-on sunscreens, as a lot of them use nanoparticles. I even avoid using them on my kids, as some research has shown they cross the blood/brain barrier. Good ol' pasty, hard to spread sunscreens are probably best.

[evjolin]

check this website for info: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/bro...care+%28sun%29

also--i have the burt's bees chemical free with hemp seed 30 spf and HATE it. it's sticky, gets all over clothes even hours after you have put it on, and it also kind of crumbles so you have white things on your skin. ugh. wore it yesterday and was NOT a happy camper. so i too am looking for a good one!!

[paintedfire]

Stay away from Kiss My Face sunscreens - they all contain chemical sunscreens despite their reputation as a 'natural brand.'

Like the previous poster, I've had absolutely no luck with Burt's Bee's sunscreens - none of them have been any good and I've heard no good reviews from anyone else.

When I was younger I used Aveeno faithfully, but as I got more eco/health conscious I switched to California Baby - fragrance-free.

Recently, I stumbled across a new brand called SuperGoop! and it's working out pretty well so far. I have incredibly sensitive skin so it's also iffy whether or not something is going to have an adverse reaction or not, but so far so good. I'm pretty pleased with it.

I also like that they have the everyday face sunscreen, a face and body formula, a stick form for touch-ups, and even wipes which I'm sure will come in handy when I wrangling a wriggly toddler someday.

Hope this helps.

[aloneinid]

Aubrey Organics Natural Sun SPF 25 Green Tea is what I came up with after extensive research on this topic a couple of years ago. It has a high safety rating and no nanoparticles. I works great, isn't too hard to spread (although it leaves kids with the "ghost effect", and smells soooo yummy! We used California Baby before, but it does (or did in the last five years) utilize nanoparticles (micronized titatium dioxide) and we are staying away from nano-stuff now. I won't use conventional sunscreen at all any more and we just make do with the "whiteness" of natural stuff when we use it all. Mostly, we stay in the shade and I put hats on my kids whenever they are outside.

For my face I mix a little sunscreen with natural tinted moisturizer that is a shade too dark and it works great (the natural sunscreen lightens the moisturizer).

[LillianB]

Thanks, y'all, this is helpful. Evjolin, I've looked through the EWG database but so many of their top recs are completely panned by users. I'm thinking about trying the Badger brand. That's too bad about Burt's!

[RedOakMomma]

I did a google search and found these articles:

Sunscreens without toxins or nanoparticles

Some of the sunscreen ingredients which are dangerous and can be absorbed by the skin are: parabens, benzophenone, homosalate and octyl-methoxycinnamate, and nanoparticles.

Solar Sense Clear Zinc with Green Tea, for Face, SPF 45 received the highest rating from the definitive EWG safety database (Environmental Working Group).

Avalon sunscreens also received some of the highest marks for safety from the EWG, and are all nano- and chemical-free.

EcoLani SPF 15 is free of toxic chemicals, and it contains only titanium dioxide. It’s creator, Dr. Lani Simpson, is outspokenly opposed to the use of nanoparticles in sunscreens ($15/4 oz. bottle).

A really good guide by the Organic Consumers Association: Don't Get Burned, Use Sunscreens without Nanoparticles.

These companies do not use nanoparticles: Alba Botanica, Allergan, Avalon Organics, Black Opal, Blistex, Chattem, Inc. — Bullfrog, Lakeview Laboratories — Tatoo Goo, Lavera, Schwarzkopf & Henkel, Soleo Organics

[allisonrose]

Oooh, I need a good sunscreen. I burn so easily. I'd like something without that sunscreen smell - yuck. (I don't like that smell ever - I'm one of those scent sensitive people.)

[APGoddess83]

I found this article a few weeks ago while googling safe sunscreens for me and the kids.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environ...screens-460608

I haven't bought anything yet so I don't have any opinions but the article is pretty helpful.

[SeekingJoy]

We have used the Burts Bees sunscreen, and also hate it. We do like and use a Blue Lizard suncreen when we will be spending a lot of time in the sun, and it works fairly well, but just wear a hat for daily exposure.

[lunarlady]

I use Alba Botanica sunscreen. It comes in tubes with the word "Sun" at the top. Most are unscented. Yes, if you use a lot you get a little change in skin tone, but it is not sticky, rubs in really well, lasts a long time, and doesn't smell like much. (There's a tiny scent that reminds me of soap, but then, I'm a pregger super smeller right now.) I've used everything from their 15 up to their 32 SPF and love them all. The only downside is it can be a bit expensive, but one tube lasts awhile.

[FloridaBorn]

Great, I used a spray on sunscreen while I was at the pool today. (First time I've been swimming since PG - 32 weeks)

I don't like it that I've exposed myself but potential 2nd degree burns on my skin isn't fun either so...


ETA: My dermatologist says I need to wear SPF 30 every day. I use a moisturizer with this SPF from Lancome. I suppose it's toxic as hell, too... and I've been using it every day for years! I hadn't even considered that it wasn't healthy for me or my baby

[bella99]

I find this site useful. You can look up pretty much any brand and they are all rated.

http://www.ewg.org/whichsunscreensarebest/2009report

[TangoMama]

I've used the Aubrey Organics Blue Green Algae SPF 15 facial moisturizer and it works well, but it smells pretty awful (like algae). I would get used to it after awhile, but every time DH came near me to kiss me he would say "ugh, you smell!". I see now on their website that the Green tea line also has a SPF 15 facial moisturizer available. They didn't have it at the health food store I went to. I imagine this one would smell better.

I haven't tried the body moisturizers, but plan to do so now that a pp has and says she likes them, as I really like the Aubrey Organics products in general.

[BarnMomma]

We like the avalon brands. But we use sunscreen sparingly. I'm a huge believer in healthy sun exposure- especially while pregnant and especially in the 3rd trimester for all the wonderful vitamin D benefits.

Once I start to feel the sun, I cover up and wear hats. I also just do the same with DS.

[purplepaisleymama]

We use Badger Balm and Blue Lizard, last week I got sun poisoning after sitting with my legs in the sum for hours (I hadn't noticed how much sin I was getting) and it was miserable..... I have vowed to make sure that I have block on now when we are out. My youngest is allergic to many things, including corn and soy and he can use both Badger Balm and Blue Lizard without issue, they are the only ones he doesn't break out with and they are cheaper than most of the other natural ones that I can find.

~laura