What is the best Natural Sunscreen for my family?
Hot summer days are ahead! As a parent, I know that choosing the right sun protection for you and your family is overwhelming. My goal is to make your next trip to the sunscreen aisle a little less daunting! In this article, I’ll provide you with all the right resources to make informed and confident decisions.
First, let's talk nerdy.
We know that sun exposure is crucial to increasing natural reservoirs of Vitamin D, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. There are two types of light rays: UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B). UVA light has a longer wavelength which means it's able to penetrate deeper into your skin to cause damage to DNA. It’s known for its premature aging effects. UVB light has a shorter wavelength, so it doesn't penetrate very deeply, but it is most responsible for sunburns. So, when deciding on a sun protection product, make sure to find one that says, “broad spectrum”, which means that it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. This will help protect against DNA damage as well as help prevent a nasty sunburn.
What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock and why does it matter?
It might seem silly but there are two ways to filter out the those UV rays. You either block them out or screen them out. Culturally we tend to always refer to most products as sunscreens, but you might come to find that you’ve been using a sun block without knowing.
Sunscreen is a chemical substance that screens the sun’s harmful rays while allowing other types of light rays through. Sunscreen products can contain chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. Sunscreens are generally easier to rub in however, some of the chemicals used here can be absorbed into the bloodstream causing irritation to the skin, especially in sensitive individuals. In addition research has proven that these chemicals are harmful to marine life in oceans and lakes. Sunscreen comes in many different forms including creams, gels, sticks, and sprays.
Sunblock is a physical method of blocking out the sun’s rays. Sunblock contains mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The benefit of mineral-based sun protection is that the product stays on the surface of your skin, thus causing less irritation for sensitive individuals. This fact also make it more safe for young children and infants. However because it stays on the surface these products can leave a white residue on your skin unless you use a tinted version. Another great fact is that because they are mineral based this products don’t destroy the beautiful coral reefs in our oceans. Sunblock typically comes in stick or cream forms. I have seen a spray form come out but I’m not a big fan of sprays and I’ll tell you why a little later.
So what’s the take away you ask? For the most natural kind of sun protection, choose a product that is mineral based, listing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients.
A word about SPF
Finally, let's talk about SPF or Sun Protection Factor. This is simply a metric used to determine the effectiveness of any sun protection product. Generally, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UV rays. So, using SPF 30 is usually adequate for most needs, going higher only provides a very small increase in sun protection. Importantly, higher SPF does not mean that you have longer protection. Most sun protection products should be reapplied after 80 minutes of sweating, swimming, or right after drying off with a towel.
Preferred forms and best application methods:
The best form of sunscreen is a lotion or cream. It's much easier to know exactly where it has been applied. Avoid using sprays, because although they are appealing due to the ease of application, they just don't provide consistent or adequate coverage. Let’s face it, we’ve all been beneficiaries of some else’s spray sunscreen by just being down wind from them.
When applying sunscreen, especially mineral-based options, it's best to work in small areas. I honestly prefer the Dalmatian method (apply lots of little dots of sunscreen all over and then rub it in). It helps me to know that I’m getting the product everywhere and I don’t have to work so hard to spread it out with my hands. When applying to the face, it works best to use a sunscreen stick because you can be very precise and avoid those tears and sunscreen-filled eyes. Also, remember to apply the product to your ears, scalp, and under your neck.
Our tried and tested recommendations:
The content you’ve anxiously awaited is finally here! Our go-to sunscreen for kids and adults alike is Blue Lizard. They have several options including sport, sensitive, and baby-specific formulations. They also have creams, sticks, and even a sheer face lotion that is great for everyday use. We’ve used their line of products for several years now and are really pleased with them. Another fun fact about their products is that the bottles will change color when they are exposed to UV light so it's a great reminder to you that you should be applying sunscreen. The kids love it!
Badger is another mineral-based brand we have tried. There isn’t anything that we didn’t like about their products. However their product variety is a little bit smaller but still natural and effective none-the-less!
There are many other brands of mineral-based sunscreen out there that we haven’t yet tried. One that I recently became aware of is called stream2sea. They boast many of the same benefits as Blue Lizard including mineral-based, safe for you and the ocean, and they even offer a tinted version to help you avoid that white residue look. I will be giving them a try this summer to see how well I like them.
