Tips top Keep In Mind While Shopping For Safe Sun Screen
By Jolene Hart
Don’t be fooled by high SPF.
If you think that wearing SPF 100 means that you can spend the entire day in the sun, think again. High SPF formulas will suppress sunburn, says the EWG, but the sun damage is still a concern. Stick to SPF 15-50 and reapply often.
Watch out for Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is great for the body, but there is evidence that vitamin A in sunscreen (labeled ‘retinyl palmitate’) can cause tumors and lesions to develop more quickly when exposed to sun. Choose a sunscreen without this ingredient.
Always check the label.
Look for sunscreens with active ingredients zinc, titanium dioxide, Mexoryl SX or avobenzone, says the EWG, for the safest sun protection.
Creams are your best pick.
Spray or powder sunscreens disperse into the air and can be harmful to the body when inhaled. Choose a sunscreen cream instead.
Men need sunscreen too!
Only 34 percent of men wear sunscreen, compared to 78 percent of women! Let’s get out the message that our sons, brothers and husbands need to practice sun safety as well.
Here are a few more winning formulas, top-rated by the EWG
Goddess Garden Baby All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Active ingredient: zinc oxide.
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Unscented Sensitive Skin/Children Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Active ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide.
Dr. T’s Supergoop! Quickstick, SPF 30
Active ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide.
Kiss My Face 100% Natural Pink Sun Stick, SPF 30
Active ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide.
KINeSYS Sunscreen Ointment, SPF 30
Active ingredient: zinc oxide.
