[flowmom]

I am trying to make sense of sunscreen safety. We will be minimizing our use of it this summer, but I still have to pick a brand to try out.<br><br>
I started out by looking at the <a href="http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/search.php?nperpage=10&main_cat=SKIN+CARE&category=Sunscreen/Tanning%20Oil&stype=brands&sort=scoreinc" target="_blank">Skin Deep database of the lowest risk sunscreens</a>. Then I got confused because <a href="http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/report.php?type=PRODUCT&id=6625360" target="_blank">one of the lowest risk sunscreens</a> has "<a href="http://www.californiababy.com/no-fragrance-spf-30-sunscreen-lotion-2-9-oz.html" target="_blank">highly micronized titanium dioxide</a>". Since reading about <a href="http://www.theorganicmakeupcompany.com/CA/titaniumdioxide.asp" target="_blank">the dangers of sunscreens with nano particles of titanium dioxide</a>, I assume that "highly micronized" titanium dioxide would be risky too? Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/report.php?type=PRODUCT&id=6625091" target="_blank">another sunscreen rated relatively low risk</a> has <b>nano zinc oxide</b> particles - shouldn't we be concerned about that too?<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">: I think I'd like a titanium dioxide-based product (non-nano) with few risky ingredients - can anyone point me to one or tell me why I should be looking at another formulation?

 

[zicki]

I liked the article about sunscreen in Seventh Generation's newsletter from June 2006 (with followup article in August). They recommend a chemical called Mexoryl, which is not available in the USA but is available in Canada and is in Ombrelle brand sunscreen -- so that's what we use.<br><br><a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/making_difference/newsletter_article.php?article=488&issue=75" target="_blank">http://www.seventhgeneration.com/mak...e=488&issue=75</a><br><br>
HTH,Nicki

 

[PlayaMama]

we used the environmental working group (<a href="http://www.ewg.com" target="_blank">www.ewg.com</a>) recommendation for sunblocks. we're all red headed and freckled and seem to love the sun. we used to live on maui and now we live in the desert! the website goes through all the ingredients and lists their known and unknown chemical side effects.

 

[flowmom]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>zicki</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7922009"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I liked the article about sunscreen in Seventh Generation's newsletter from June 2006 (with followup article in August). They recommend a chemical called Mexoryl, which is not available in the USA but is available in Canada and is in Ombrelle brand sunscreen -- so that's what we use.<br><br><a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/making_difference/newsletter_article.php?article=488&issue=75" target="_blank">http://www.seventhgeneration.com/mak...e=488&issue=75</a></div>
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<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/thanks.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thanks"><br>
Although it refers to the US ingredients, <a href="http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/report.php?type=PRODUCT&id=1000014740&search=1" target="_blank">Ombrelle gets a very poor score due to 13 ingredients with health concerns</a> <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/yikes2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="yikes">: It would be nice to see mexoryl in a more "natural" formulation...<br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>PlayaMama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7923598"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">we used the environmental working group (<a href="http://www.ewg.com" target="_blank">www.ewg.com</a>) recommendation for sunblocks. we're all red headed and freckled and seem to love the sun. we used to live on maui and now we live in the desert! the website goes through all the ingredients and lists their known and unknown chemical side effects.</div>
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Yes, that's the site that I linked to in my original post.

 

[mimi!]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lurk.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lurk">:

 

[flowmom]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/bump.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="bump">

 

[Mrshawwk]

Has anyone heard of using just plain coconut oil as a sunscreen? I've heard of doing it in a couple different places now,but no first hand experience.

 

[PlayaMama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Ksenia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7924418"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">:Yes, that's the site that I linked to in my original post.</div>
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oops! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"> skin deep just didn't ring the bell for me. the ones we use (lowest rating and easiest to find) are kiss my face hot spots and kiss my face face and neck. i can't find the face and neck one right now, but the hot spots one lists active ingredients as octinoxate, oxybenzone, octyl salicylate and avobenzone.<br><br>
the base is beeswax so it can be kind of heavy and gooey but it comes in a stick and my 2yo ds loves to put it one by himself and it's very easy to keep out of his eyes. i've heard about the nano particle concerns too. i'll be watching to see if anyone comes up with anything.

 

[PlayaMama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Mrshawwk</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7937914"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Has anyone heard of using just plain coconut oil as a sunscreen? I've heard of doing it in a couple different places now,but no first hand experience.</div>
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we lived on maui for a year and everyone was all about the coconut but i'd never heard of this. from what i remember as a freckled teen trying to tan in california any plain oil led to a nasty burn. i'd love to have something that was so simple work! maybe i'll try it one an arm for the day (now that it's getting sunny again!) and let everyone know.

 

[smellyann82]

subbing

 

[apple_dumpling]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lurk.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lurk">: wondering about sunscreen too...

 

[smellyann82]

it sounds like there are really ANY great options available in the US....everything seems to have SOMETHING really bad in it. i can't imagine that, for example, a long walk or a day at the beach going sunscreenless is a good idea...so what would be the "best of the worst"? it seems like california baby?

 

[Metasequoia]

What about straight zinc (not micronized), like a diaper ointment? You'd be white....but non-toxic.

 

[wantingagirl2b#4]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/privateeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="private eyes"> wondering about sunscreen too...

 

[EdnaMarie]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/notes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="notes">:

 

[flowmom]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>smellyann82</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7946721"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">so what would be the "best of the worst"? it seems like california baby?</div>
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I think that nano titanium dioxide might be worse than nano zinc oxide, so UV Natural might be safer than California Baby. The database doesn't seem to take into account the danger of nano titanium dioxide, which is why California Baby gets such a low score. But who knows? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"><br><br>
I guess diaper ointment would be a safe option, but gosh that would be yukky to use! I'm prone to acne so I would really have to think twice about that. Plus the white look <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/yikes2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="yikes"><br><br>
I've decided to order some UV Natural in the absence of more info...

 

[dbsam]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">: I've also been wondering about the sunscreen issues. I've tried several but had similar concerns as PP. I've even considered keeping my children covered in sun protective clothing and hats - but they are always so hot!!<br><br>
I've tried the straight zinc...it's a mess and hard on clothing.

 

[Metasequoia]

FYI: <b>UV Natural</b> is SUPER greasy, I bought 3 tubes 2 years ago & we've barely touched them. It doesn't turn you white which leads me to believe that it's micronized.<br>
I also have <b>Aubrey Organic's Titania</b> which *does* turn us white (which makes me think it's *not* micronized) & is not super greasy. I actually really like it. Is the only way to find out if the titanium isn't micronized to call the company or has anyone read about that specific sunblock anywhere?

 

[mavery]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Metasequoia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7952983"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">FYI: <b>UV Natural</b> is SUPER greasy,</div>
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It is, but I use it relatively sparingly and for myself, I wash my face (and pat dry) before putting it on so a lot of the oil gets absorbed. I don'tlove it, but it's okay. FYI, UV Naturals is nano, not micronized. AFAIK, micronized is much better (not small enough to penetrate cells).<br><br>
IIRC, Aubrey sunscreens are micronized, not nano, titanium dioxide. I have the green tea one, though. I think Aubrey may have it on the website. CA baby I think lists the TiO2 as micronized on the label.

 

[flowmom]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>mavery</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7953542"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">IIRC, Aubrey sunscreens are micronized, not nano, titanium dioxide. I have the green tea one, though. I think Aubrey may have it on the website. CA baby I think lists the TiO2 as micronized on the label.</div>
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Thanks for explaining that <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">. Yes, CA bAby says it's micronized and I didn't realize that there was a difference between that and nano <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"> .