The Problem With Most Sunscreens

Most parents don't even think twice when purchasing a sunscreen for their little ones.  They quickly grab whatever brand they "know", whatever is on sale, yada yada yada.  After all, all sunscreens are better than no sunscreen, right? Uh, no.

First off, let's remember that sun exposure is HEALTHY! In moderation, the sun provides essential vitamins for our bodies and creates an uplifting mood.  Our plants need it to live and so do we.  So before you go grab that Coppertone or Hawaiian Tropic and slather it onto your kids, take a look at the label and make the decision to purchase a healthier one.  Our babies are worth it!  

Many sunscreens on the market today contain harmful chemical ingredients such as:

• Retinyl Palmitate- This form of Vitamin A has been found by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) to be a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) in the presence of UV light.  When in doubt, leave it out!
• Oxybenzone- A known endocrine disruptor and chemical that mimics estrogen.  When Oxybenzone is absorbed through the skin, it then gets into your bloodstream and some of it exits through your urine, thus making it possible to measure the levels in one's body.  The women with the highest levels of Oxybenzone in their urine had the highest rates of endometriosis, endocrine problems, and cancer.  I am someone who has had thyroid problems for the last 5 years so again, when in doubt, leave it out!
• PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid)- a reflective agent that causes cellular damage to DNA and can lead to cancer.  It only "protects" against Carcinoma, not Melanoma (the more dangerous form of skin cancer).  Many people also have allergic reactions to PABA. 

The best way to make sure you are getting a sunscreen that is healthy for your child is to get one that consists of:

• Zinc Oxide- It's what you use on your baby's butt for diaper rash.  It's waterproof, doesn't absorb into the skin, and is totally safe.  Zinc oxide protects against all rays.  
• Titanium Dioxide- less effective than zinc oxide at protecting against long-wave UVA rays, but definitely effective at protecting against short-wave UVA rays and UVB rays.  It's highly reflective, non-comedogenic (does not clog pores), and does not absorb into the skin.  

A few weeks ago, I took my fair-skin baby out into the Texas sun for several hours to play at the river.  I applied Earth's Best sunscreen on her and reapplied one time during the day.  Not a tint of pink the whole weekend.  Success!

www.earthsbest.com 

Another (more expensive) but totally natural one we've used:

http://www.absolutely-natural.com/collections/sun-care/products/kids-spf-25