SUNCREENS MADE SIMPLE

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Alright ladies, there been a big hoopla going on about sunscreens, fired up in part by the Environmental Working Group’s latest 2010 report. So to keep it real simple, here’s what you need to know and which sunscreens are my favorites: The first concern and where many leading brands were outed in the “Hall of Shame”, was the exaggerated SPF claims that are blazoned across the tube/bottle of many sunscreens. It’s actually pretty shameful that many brands which are targeted at moms for little babies, are really not very safe. If you see any SPF over 40, you should be extremely suspect. If you see, which you may, a 100 SPF, run a mile as it’s total nonsense. Most sunscreens can only really guarantee a sun protection factor of 30. More important that you find a safe/non-toxic sunscreen with a simple SPF 30.

These exaggerated SPF claims could explain why there has been an unprecedented rise in skin cancer cases over the last few years. We have been slathering on these sunscreens believing that we’re set to lie out for hours, when actually we’re not – especially scary for kids. The Vitamin A issue has also been connected with the cancer scare: Vitamin A is added as an anti-oxidant to many creams, which then boast that it’s “anti-aging”, however Vitamin A also has photocarcinogenic properties, which are obviously a worry. Creams and lotions containing Vitamin A should not be used before going out in the hot sun.

To cap it all, many sunscreens contain oxybenzone or 4-MBC, which are potent hormone disruptors – great, so now we can potentially get skin cancer and/or total hormone disruption and sun damaged skin by using these creams which, until recently many thought were perfectly safe.

Girls – all the above serves to remind us that the skincare and cosmetic industry is poorly regulated and that potential toxicity of many of the ingredients are just not understood. Only 8% of 500 sunscreens passed the EWG test.

Having tested almost all of the “Safe” sunscreens –  here’s a review of my top 5, which I hope will help. I mean we all want a safe one, but personally I can live without looking like a greasy clown.

1. All Terrain Kidsport Performance Sunscreen SPF 30: I think this is my top fave for kids and adults. It contains the broad spectrum, goes on really easily. Isnt’ too white, thick or greasy. Actually it’s strangely dry, which I like. It’s great for kids, as they won’t be like a slippery eel when you try to catch them!

2.Solar RX SPF 30: This comes in at a close second. It was developed by a melanoma survivor who has done an insane amount of reseach. It’s a tad greasier than the All Terrain, but you won’t look like a ghost and you’ll be super-safe to go.

3.UV Naturals Baby Sunscreeen SPF30: This is also a fab one. Available at most Wholefoods stores. Does a great job. It’s really wonderful for babies, but a little on the heavy/greasy side for me to use especially when I putting clothes on after applying.

4. Badger SPF 30 for face and body: I just adore all the products from this company, plus the entire company and everyone who works there are fantastically friendly/lovely people. Lola adores their sunscreen as it’s a cute tube (important for an 8 year-old!) and it’s lightly scented. Got really well-reviewed by EWG too.

5. Serious Protection by Cosmedix SPF 28: This is expensive but well worth it. This is what I use on my face only. It’s quite wonderful because it really protects you and yet it’s totally non-whitening and non-greasy, so you can slap it over your moisturizer and you won’t look like an oil slick – plus makeup goes on great right over it.

Also, remember, you can make a beautiful Sesame Sunscreen from Do It Gorgeously – you will love it – inexpensive and fab. It has an SPF of about 15, so good to put on your body as you go through the day – might perhaps need something stronger for baking on a beach.

What about the mineral brush on sunscreens? I like the Colorscience brush-on screens, however, I don’t think you can ever get a really thorough protection from them. I can never see exactly how much I’ve put on and it’s hard to brush it all over your body – so as a top-up over already existing sunscreen for your face, not a bad choice.

Finally keep in mind that we do need vitamin D from the sun. Many experts recommend 10 minutes full-on sun with no sunscreen everyday. Many cancers are now being attributed to a lac of vitamin D. So make sure you get a little sun, not in the heat of the day of course and above all – WEAR A HAT!

16 thoughts on “SUNCREENS MADE SIMPLE”

  1. I searched Vitacost.com and looked at the various All Terrain products available for purchase (AquaSport, KidSport and TerraSport). They list the top 2 active ingredients as Octinoxate and Oxybenzone. Sophie, I’m confused. Isn’t this what we are supposed to avoid? Have they reformulated the product?

  2. Tamra
    Thanks for doing diligence and checking up on labels. I should have been specific (and will) about the All Terrain Sunscreen that I love. It’s the All Terrain Kidsport Performance Sunscreen SPF 30 and here are the ingredients:
    Ingredients from packaging: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: TITANIUM DIOXIDE 8%, ZINC OXIDE 6% OTHER INGREDIENTS: ALOE VERA (ALOE BARBADENSIS ) GEL, BLADDERWRACK (FUCUS VESICULOSUS) EXTRACT, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDES, CAPRYLOHYDROXAMIC ACID, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL DIMETHICONE, CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS) EXTRACT, D-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E), DIMETHICONE, GLYCYROL STEARATE CITRATE, CLYCERYL STEARATE, GRAPEFRUIT (CITRUS GRANDIS) SEED EXTRACT, JOJOBA ESTERS, JOJOBA OIL, MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE (VITAMIN C), MANNA, SEA KELP (MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA) EXTRACT, SILICA, SODIUM MAGNESIUM SILICATE, STEARYL DIMETHICONE, SUCROSE, SUCROSE PALMITATE, SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS) OIL, WATER, XANTHAN GUM

    If you’re ever really concerned about ingredients in a product, go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ to check. This product has a hazard score of 2, which is pretty respectable as far as this database is concerned.

  3. Thanks for the quick reply Sophie. I did some detective work and I have some interesting news to report. When I got your reply I was surprised because the exact product you suggested was the one I had checked at Vitacost. I then went to Whole Foods and they had the All Terrain product line all with safe ingredients, yet they only had SPF 15 in stock. So, I got home and thought I’m just going to call All Terrain directly. I spoke with an extremely knowledgeable and friendly representative Amber. This is what she told me. The products being sold through Vitacost and Amazon (and probably other discount sites) are the old formulation which contain the ingredients we want to avoid. The new formulation is available through their site directly, through Costco.com and also in many natural stores like Whole Foods. She said the old formulation says “PABA & Paraben Free” on the label and the new formulation says “Oxybenzone & Paraben Free”. I asked about the review of the product at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and she said the review is of the new formulation.

    Bottom line: be careful where you are purchasing the product because you might be getting the older formulation!

  4. Tamra
    Thanks for being so thorough for all of us. It often takes a bit of detective work to get it right!

  5. so, I have always thought I would start my own site or blog about all of this, but I don’t even have time to read yours all the time, Sophie! Congrats on all your hard and important work!

    A more complete ingredient list is found here:
    https://www.sukiskincare.com/v2/pages/ingredients+to+avoid

    Suki has been on the forefront for a long time and her research is more thorough and accurate than that of the EWG…this is a long story, but for now, be aware that the only 2 on the above list that are truly chemical-free/natural are Badger and UV Naturals. I have been using and recommending these for several years. The SolarRX is okay except for POSSIBLY-the nano part – we’ll have to keep looking into this

    Another healthy sunscreen is by Miessence, no chemicals, but I’ve never tried it, it is more expensive than Badger and UV Naturals…

    hope this helps!

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  7. I read this yesterday & was interested in the All Terain sunscreen. Now today I have watched your video on how to make Sesame Sunscreen on my own & want to give it a go. You mentioned getting the Zinc Oxide at a site soapgoods.com but i am not able to pull it up. I see the link twice on google but neither work. Any idea if this online shop still exists? Thanks.

    PS. Where can I get all these dark little containers you always use to store the products you make?

  8. thanks so much for the great article and posts. I don’t see the video for making your own sunscreen. I’ve been at a loss since clinique stopped making their chemical free zinc based sunscreen. I tried SUN formerly terrapin, but they put the chemical in some but not others and I can never keep straight which is which. The sunscreen chemicals give me a raging headache and a rash, so I have to avoid it.

  9. Thank you SO much for putting all this information together for us GG followers!! This is so helpful to know!

  10. If I want my homemade sunscreen to be a higher SPF, do I increase the concentration of zinc oxide within the recipe?

  11. Hello,
    Number 5. Serious Protection by Cosmedix SPF 28 contains aluminum. That’s something I try to avoid. What are your thoughts on this ingredient? thanks.

  12. Hello,

    I purchased some zinc oxide from soapgoods.com and followed yoru wonderful sunscreen recipes and really like it. i was wondering about the particle size of the zinc oxide as i have just read that the nano sized particles are too small and therefore have negative effects on our bodies. i called soapgoods but couldnt get through.

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