Buying the right sunscreen can be something of a nightmare nowadays. Not only do we have to watch out for toxic ingredients, but now it seems we cannot believe the high SPF claims that many brands are making. You may have noticed in the drugstore that major sunscreen brands are boasting higher and higher sun protection factors, however, they are coming under fierce criticism for false marketing claims. So think twice before you reach for that super-safe-sounding SPF 80 (come on!!!) and follow my 5 Safe-in-the-Sun Tips as follows:
1. Find a good trusted brand (see brands below) with an SPF that is around 30
2. Make sure the sunscreen is non-toxic (see brands below)
3. If you are actually out and about in the sun, you really need to reapply every 2 hours. Be vigilant about this!
4. Make sure every area of your body is covered – it’s easy to miss back of your neck, back of your thighs or your feet.
5. Wear sun-protective clothing if you are playing or doing sports in the hot sun (swimming in a pool or on the beach).
Sun Screens I like are:
Keys RX ( I particularly like this brand as it was created by a melanoma survivor and it’s totally chemical-free)
Also check out Patagonia for their fantastic eco-rash guards.
For more info on the SPF controversy, check out this NY Times article.
Sophie- its like you’re reading my mind! Sunscreen has been on my list of to research for the last month; thanks for a great article! I cringe when I think of all the bad stuff that was slathered on me as a kid, hopefully I can stop the damage by switching now (at 32)! Thanks for all you do!
I’ve been on the search for sunscreen forever it seems. I can’t afford any of the above reccomendations. Living in Florida with a family of 5 we could go through 3-5 oz easily in one day at the beach/pool. I’ve been using Jason’s sunbrellas “total care” and it works well. I am about to try the Jason’s mineral based sunscreen but have heard it doesn’t work as well. The ingredients on these are still not ideal. I also use CVS brand, clear spray, because its easier to reapply once they are sandy. It has one bad ingredient I recognize (mineral oil) which is listed last. Better than most stuff at the store. I just don’t know which is worse, the ingredients in the sunscreen or the burn/cancer from the sun. Wish there was a great, affordable choice!
Living in sunny Las Vegas we have lots of sun to worry about. This summer we have been trying to do more inside things early and go out and play later in the afternoon when our yard is in the shade. If we have to go out we are doing more covering up with hats and clothing. We are trying to stay out of the sun and away from the chemicals that are supposed to be there to protect us from it.
Thanks so much for the article. I have been trying to figure out which sunscreen to use this summer. This is my first time to look for organic sunscreens and it’s confusing. I looked at the Keys Rx and it doesn’t have titanium dioxide but it didn’t say that the ingredients were organic. Is the Lavere SPF 30 spray ok?
Keys Chemical Free Solar RX Sun Block uses organic ingredients – if you look on the side panel, you will see that Keys is 80% to 85% organic. This sun block was ranked number #1 for safety by the EWG (environmental working group) the last two years. Wendy Steele who is the co-founder of Keys is a melanoma survivor. Please read more on the Keys website to learn about Keys Solar RX.
As far as I can tell these sunscreens all contain zinc oxide?
Zinc oxide is very toxic to organism living in water, and may cause unwanted changes in water-areas.
At least this is true in Denmark! 🙂
I wonder if it’s possible to buy truly green sunscreen at all? Please let me know if you know of any sunscreen NOT containing zinc oxide.
I am so confused by this sunscreen issue. I just came back from the dermatogist and was told the two most important ingredients in sunscreen are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. I have heard conflicting reports about both of these products.What do we need to know and believe to protect ourselves from the sun. I live in Florida where the sun shines everyday.