It's that time of the year -- the sun is coming out, and families are spending more time at the pool, the beach, and just outside in general.
Along with more time in the lovely outdoors comes exposure to the sun and the risk of overexposure, plus other risks I just wasn't aware of -- until now.
When I was young, I was a real sun bather. I would tan and tan and tan -- but no more for me.
After all of my youthful "extreme sunbathing", I had numerous years where I was really doing everything I could to just stay out of the sun completely.
There is more and more evidence of the sun actually being good for you, so I will allow myself to get a little bit of sun (emphasis on "little"), and don't use sunscreen all the time. But I don't want to burn if I am going to be outside for a long time, so sunscreen is something we all should have in our homes.
Following are some things to keep in mind as you spend more time in the summer sun.
SUNSCREEN SAFETY TIPS
1. Skip the Spray
While spraying your sunscreen on might seem like a fun way to your kids to put sun protection on, it might not be the best thing to do for your health -- or theirs. Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are typical non toxic ingredients used in sunscreens, and these are considered to be safe when applied to skin, but the inhalation of these ingredients is considered to be a health hazard.
2. Lower SPF is Better
SPF protects you from UVB rays - the ones that will cause you to burn.
But the UVA rays are the ones that cause skin cancer and a higher SPF will not give you extra protection from those rays. You'll be likely tempted to use a high SPF sunscreen, thinking that you can only apply it once and have all the protection you need. Instead, choose a lower SPF with broad spectrum coverage.
3. Skip the Retinyl Palmitate
Retinyl Palmitate (derived from Vitamin A) is often added to sunscreens to reduce the appearance of aging. However, it offers no sun protection so it's not really a necessary ingredient at all. There is some research suggesting a connection between retinyl palmitate and skin cancer in lab tests on mice.
4. Use Sunscreen When Cloudy
Clouds only block 20% of the sun's rays, so if you are going to be out in the summer, you'll need protection even if it's cloudy.
5. Repeat Application
The best protection, if you are going to be out in the sun for a long time, is to reapply. Some say sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours.
SAFE SUNSCREEN OPTIONS
I've tried a few sunscreens over the years, and even did a DIY version a few years back, but have also tried a few safe / non-toxic versions and wanted to let you know what they are and what I think about them, so you can make an informed choice for a safe sunscreen this summer.
Homemade Sunscreen
This performed well, as in we didn't burn, but it was a little too thick.
I will have to dig up my recipe at some point and share it, but in the meantime, if you are interested in making your own sunscreen, you can get a recipe or two in this book -- My Buttered Life, from MadeOn that contains great recipes including DIY sunscreen. I plan to tweak mine and get it to be a little thinner so I don't fshoweel so "pastey" with it on.
If you are going to try your hand at making your own, you will need quality zinc oxide. Yes, you will have plenty on hand for the future :).)
Safe Sunscreen Options
UPDATE 3/16: - This post had recommended Ava Anderson in the past. I left the company due to multiple labeling issues, amongst other things.
Here are some safer sunscreens I recommend.
Beautycounter
I like Beautycounter's Stick Sunscreen and Lip Sunscreen.
Their lotion performs really well too and has a "just right" texture for easy, even coverage. It's also "1" on EWG's SkinDeep which is the safest rating.
AquaSport
I used this one in the past and like it fine -- it was the first supposedly non-toxic brand I tried and we liked it just fine.
It has a low rating on EWG's SkinDeep but please take note of the mixed reviews on Amazon.
Seems like there have been quite a few issues with the texture of the lotion recently, including it being solid mixed with very liquid-ey parts.
Did you know all of these Sunscreen Safety Tips?
Adrienne and others,
Do you still find these sunscreens to be the best out there? I've run out of the nontoxic one I've been using and it's no longer manufactured, so I'm now sunscreen shopping and have NO idea what I'm doing 🙂
TIA!
Tricia
Hi Tricia. Thanks for reading and for commenting. I personally use the Beautycounter and Miessence now. I like them both. Beautycounter's is not as thick so I do think you would like it better. I'm offering 2 free gifts with purchase with Beautycounter this month and one of them is a sunscreen stick. If you purchase $75 or more I will give you 1 free gift and at $150 or more I will send 2. If you'd like 2 of the sticks I can do that as well. You are welcome to email me at adrienne {at} wholenewmom {dot} com if you'd like more info or just fwd me your receipt when you buy. The other options for a gift are lipstick, mascara, charcoal bar and lip conditioner. Happy to answer any other questions that you have.
Hi there,
Love your blog! I very much enjoy reading your articles but could you move the ads and links to the side of the page. They are very distracting and there seems to be plenty of space on the side of the page?
Thanks so much, Suzan
Hi Suzan - thanks for writing and for your kind words. What links are you referring to please? I am trying to work on the ad situation to figure out a good balance between income and reader's experience and would really appreciate hearing your thoughts. Thanks much,
Adrienne
I was thinking of trying raspberry seed oil, as I read that it offers both USA and UVB coverage. Have you done any reasearch/ have any insight on that?
Hi Chelsea. I did a little. I read one blog post where the lady said it worked OK but she would not be using it for extended periods of time and this post (excuse the stuff in the sidebar and elsewhere) that states it's nonsense. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2702190/Alert-DIY-organic-sunscreens-oils-Doctors-warn-against-following-nonsense-internet-advice-oils-offer-protection-rating-50.html
I guess my thoughts at this point would be that even if the raspberry seed oil works as a sunscreen you will spend a fortune on it to cover your body. A 2 oz bottle costs about $20 on Amazon and it appears that there are a bunch of bad reviews and that many of them are filled w/ carrier oils.
Hope that helps!!
If I can't eat it, I sure don't want it on my skin. Your skin is a sponge and absorbs everything and from there onto your liver and other filtering organs.
Hi there. Thanks for commenting. I have been doing some research into this and found this blog post to be very informative. I thought you might too. https://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/can-cosmetics-be-absorbed-into-your-bloodstream/
Great post, Adrienne! I didn't know the info you shared about spray sunblock. I'll be skipping that from now on!
Thanks, Julie! I had no idea either. In fact, I just sprayed some on myself this past week before writing this and was a little concerned about how much went in the air. Now I know better!