sunscreen

[bureshsf]

Can anyone recommend a good natural sunscreen? I have tried california baby and my 5 year old hates it and she got a little red from using it. I am going to the beach on vacation which is what this would be for. Thank you!!!

[~cassie]

We have been using Blue Lizard and really like it. It does have some non natural things in it lol, but it is one of the ones near the top of the list I believe.

[bureshsf]

Thanks. I saw that it was recommended on the ewg list. Is it easy to apply, so many of them are hard to apply and I have a 22 mth old and a 5 year old and want to make it as painless as possible.

[trebleme]

I find Blue Lizard very easy to apply, actually. And I second the recommendation. My older DD has very very sensitive skin (eczema is rampant at times) and nut allergies, so finding a more natural sunscreen is very hard for us (most have shea butter - which is a nut - as a prime ingredient.) We have been so pleased with the Blue Lizard products. I don't find them greasy, and they go on smoothly and give great coverage and protection. We live in Southern California and everyday sunscreen is an absolute necessity. I highly recommend this one.

Best,
Sharon

[Nicole730]

We have Earth's Best brand sunscreen. I haven't had any complaints from DS and it's not too hard to apply.

[snoopy5386]

We really like Kinesys spray sunscreen. It has the lowest hazard rating for spray sunscreen on the EWG list and it goes on sooooooo much easier and faster than the creams.

[sunnygir1]

Burt's Bees

[crowcaw]

DD has reaction to most sunscreens/blocks. Soleo Organic has been great for her. High percent TiO2 but still rubs in fairly quickly.

[sunnygirl88]

I see you are looking for different green/eco-friendly/natural sunscreens. I know this a long post but I have alot to say. As a Mom of three kids and the co-founder of KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen.

I fully agree that in this chemical laden world that we should find alternatives if possible, that is why KINeSYS Sunscreen is a Proud signer of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics. The problem is that "natural" doesn't always mean better and the reality is there is no such thing as truly "natural" sunscreen (mud works but doesn't look so good).

Sunscreen ingredients are regulated and are broken down into two groups: organic ingredients- chemicals- that are designed to absorb UV light; and inorganic ingredients- minerals, which reflect UV light. KINeSYS technically is “organic”, but doesn’t and won't market it as “organic”. The ingredients have been in the market since 1939 and have been extensively researched, tested and documented.

Inorganic ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide reflect radiation (which are often marketed as “natural, organic or chemical free”) but to micronize or nanosize these minerals takes an aggressive chemical process to make the minerals small enough to go into a cream or powder and a mechanical process- still using energy. One of the issues with these ingredients is their opaqueness - they leave an unattractive white colored film on the skin. New technology has been developed that can eliminate this disadvantage. The processing of the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide into nanoparticles allows formulation of a product that is transparent, yet reflects all components of UV radiation. The jury is still out on the safety of nanoparticles. The EPA & FDA are looking into new studies on nanoparticles in skin care, as they've been around for less than 10 years. I have read numerous articles and I really don’t know what to believe in terms of the long term safety of nano-particles.

Someone posted earlier about the KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen.My husband and I started the company in Canada in 1994. As a Mother of three kids, I am very proud of our products.If you go to our website (www.kinesys.com) on the opening page you will see a video, scroll over it and you will see CBS. Click on that to see the Vice President of Research at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), calls out KINeSYS on the CBS- The Early Show (#1 spray sunscreen for high efficacy and low hazard ingredients). In July 2009, the EWG updated it's site and even though KINeSYS formulas only changed by adding Vitamin E, the scores went from a #1 & #2 (with fragrance) to a #3 & #4. We were very taken back and have spent months in conversations with the EWG. Bottom line, from their emails, is that the EWG doesn't test ANY products. They rely on the information on the packaging and MSDS (material safety data sheets) on each ingredient. One of the problems the EWG recognizes is that ingredients with no MSDS sheets, are then classified as having "data gaps". The problem is the more data gaps the product has, the better it scores, as there is no information on these ingredients. I am a supporter of the EWG, but sunscreens are very different and efficacy isn't properly accounted for in the scores. I do know they are looking at some of the studies on nano-minerals right now.

All of the KINeSYS products are Dermatologist tested and used. They are the only Oil, Alcohol, PABA, Preservative, and Paraben Free spray sunscreen products on the market (they don’t contain oxybenzone or BP3). They are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, very water & sweat resistant, offer photo-stable broad- spectrum UVA/UVB protection and contain topical anti-oxidants to scavenge free radicals. KINeSYS has received accolades and awards including iParenting, MOM’s Best and PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved).

We take pride in our environmental stewardship since our inception in 1994 in Canada, we have always cared and been aware of the environment, using recyclable packaging including soy based inks, recyclable non-pressurized aerosol pumps, so when the bottle is empty, it can go right in your recycling box. All our products are produced using sustainable wind energy and we purchase carbon offsets for all the other energy used, ie. office power, cars and travel, making KINeSYS Inc. carbon neutral.

I hope you find some information you can use. The key to sun safety is common sense and moderation - cover up, limit time in the sun during peak hours and find a sunscreen that you will use and reapply frequently.

[tbone_kneegrabber]

Here's the link to the environmental working group's sunscreen guide.

I was suprised by some of the results. We ended up going with Coppertone Pure and Simple Kids because it was rated so well and way cheaper in price to what we were buying (fancy organic stuff) I couldn't afford to get the nice stuff anymore!

[laohaire]

This is the list I was working from, that are supposed to be the top rated.

•Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body, SFP 30
•California Baby, Sunblock Stick, SPF 30+
•Loving Naturals Sunscreen, SPF 30+
•Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff, SPF 30
•Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+
•Jason Natural Sunbrellas, SPF 30+

[tine1973]

I bought a couple of tubes of the Loving Naturals and wasn't wild about it. For next year, I am planning on buying the gallon size of Blue Lizard and just bathing in it

[ellairiesmom]

this summer-we've been using badger-both the stick & the normal. they work wonderfully but are difficult to spread so yes, there is a slight white residue sometimes. we have also used california baby but i ordered via diapers.com this year & badger was cheaper so i only got that one. we have sensitive skin & eczema & have had no issues with either brand.

we were just at the beach for a week & i was really pleased with how long it lasts. i typically applied 30-60 mins before we went outside & only had to reapply the face stick once (did that just to be safe on her nose/cheeks).

while it is expensive, having it last so long offsets some of the cost.

i want a safe spray so bad & was interested in KINeSYS but was hesitant to try it because of the price. good to hear some more info about it directly from the source. interesting about ewg & how they rate...

[pigpokey]

There really ... this is the first year I have not used ANY that I can remember. I built up their base tan and we use swim shirts. No problem.

Time will tell what's better. But right now I'm going with the only thing that is actually natural.

[BohoMama]

Thank you, Sunnygirl 88 for the detailed information, especially your considerations of nanoparticles. I will definitely consider your KINeSYS product(s) in the future.

As for us, for now we've got Burt's Bees. It's sticky and seems to wash off if you swim in the ocean, but it's worked OK for those few times during the summer that we need the protection. Otherwise, we don't overdo the midday sun exposure and we also don't fear the sun. We scrupulously avoid chemicals in food, cosmetics, household products, etc. I'm of the opinion that the sun only activates toxicity that you have supplied yourself with, so I'm mostly concerned with helping everyone avoid painful burns. Even though I only use sunscreen on a handful of occasions each year my skin has tested to be at least 10 years younger than my true age.

[shawnward1066]

Organic Sunscreen Lotion - Protect Your Skin

Erbaviva Children's & Adult's Sunscreen is an organic sunscreen with good features.

[shawnward1066]

Organic Sunscreen Lotion - Protect Your Skin

Originally Posted by crowcaw

DD has reaction to most sunscreens/blocks. Soleo Organic has been great for her. High percent TiO2 but still rubs in fairly quickly.

I am not sure but i think my sister use this organic sunscreen. really it's very good.

[shawnward1066]

Organic Sunscreen Lotion - Protect Your Skin

Organic sunscreens are very best today because People are fully aware about the benefits and hygiene of organic products. The organic sunscreens are mainly based on natural elements and herbs and they are completely chemical free.

[blessedwithboys]

Even safer than lotions are specially made sun protection clothing. I deck my redhead out in Coolibar. We don't use senscreen/block at all anymore.

[ElaynesMom]

We use UV protective swim suits from coolibar (my dd wears the neck to knee suit) and use Blue Lizard Baby or Sensitive on the rest of her. I love it a lot. It spreads easily and although it goes on very white, after a few minutes it "absorbs" and you don't look ghostly. It is also very water resistant (though you should still reapply after swimming, I like to make sure it's very water resistant so we don't get burned while we are actually in the water). I tried a few other truly organic sunscreens (like Badger) and found them to be either too greasy, too chalky, not water resistant, too hard to rub in, etc. Blue Lizard seems like a good compromise between organic and chemical sunscreens since it isn't totally natural, but the Baby and Sensitive use only zinc and titanium as the active ingredients. Honestly, if I had to go back to using a completely organic suncreen I'd never go out, I hated using them that much. Other's do seem to get along ok with them though.