Help me pick a sunscreen! - Page 2

[DesireeH]

I use the Alba Botanica Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen

Me too.

[Doctor Sahm]

Here is something I just found about "micro" vs "nano" at http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/200...1_archive.html. It's on the Internet, so it must be true, right?? (LOL). Anyway, it gives thumbs up for Badger Balm and Mexitan and claims that these products' "micronized" TTO is not absorbed into the skin.

"In their natural, non-nano form, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are my safer sunblock agents of choice. The most difficult thing is that companies don't usually disclose if they're using nanoparticles. So, it could be listed as zinc oxide and we don't know if it's "regular," "micronized," or "nano." Micronized is smaller than natural and larger than nano. Most companies claim that micronized particles are not absorbed into the skin.

The Safer Choice: Non-Nano Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Zinc Oxide especially is a great sunblock agent. It gives you both UVA and UVB protection. This is the old-fashioned zinc oxide you see in old surfing movies---the white pasty stuff. Yes, it's not as convenient, and it's not as fashionable, but it's the safest and gives you the best protection. One thing to consider when using a zinc oxide sunblock is to apply it frequently. Zinc oxide is a powerful anti-inflammatory, so it's going to soothe your skin. So much, in fact, that you could be sunburned and not know it. After your day in the sun, you go in and rinse off the zinc oxide and you could be deeply burned. This is why I always recommend to apply it every hour to make sure you've got adequate protection, even if you feel like you're not getting burnt.
Update:
Badger Balm and Mexitan use micronized particles instead of nanoparticles. They claim that the particles are not absorbed into the skin. So far, these two products are the safest that I've seen."

[Green Phoenix]

California Baby SPF 30+ No Fragrance

i use this one, and it is rated 1 on Skin Deep:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/bro...nspf15andabove

They must have changed the formula since last year. I really like this sunscreen. We also used protective clothing, so we use only a little of it.

Just remember, sunscreen has a shelf life on 1 year. Beware buying off ebay, it may be old. Also, don't use last years stuff.

We also have the California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen, Natural Bug Blend. I like that, too.


EDIT:

On skin deep it is actually has an overall score 0, with only a 1 for health hazzard.

[vrclay]

thanks for this information.

[LeslieB]

I did end up getting Mercola's new sunscreen. I have to say it's the best sunscreen I've used in a long time. No crazy smell, goes on very smoothly and works great! I definitely recommend it!

[nora--not a llama]

The thing about sunscreens, is you don't just want something that is safe for your skin. You want something that is also effective against UVA and UVB exposure. The skindeep website has a sunscreen report up for summer '08. They looked at over 1,000 different brands of sunscreen, and they were looking not only at safety, but at effectiveness. There were 28 sunscreens found that were safe AND effective.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/spe...=1&haz=g&eff=g

Badger spf30 is number 5 on the list. Number 1 is a brand I have never heard of. The next three are TruKid and CA Baby...but they are the STICKS not spreadable lotion. I find the sticks to be extremely inconvenient to spread all over a person's shoulders, back, etc.

I have used the Badger spf30 on my kids for several years, as they are required to have sunscreen at daycare. It spreads easily, the ingredients are safe, and it works.