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Over the years we have had drilled into our consciousness that too much sun exposure is bad for our health and the way to avoid damaging our skin is to lather ourselves in sunscreen. A study by The American Cancer Society has stated that 80% of our total lifetime sun exposure occurs within the first 18 years of life so children in particular are at risk. Children are probably the most likely to be to be smothered in sunscreens by well meaning parents too. But is the sunscreen helpful or harmful?
Protection from the sun is important but the chemicals we put on our skin can be harmful, especially to our children and typical sunscreens have LOTS of chemicals.
Over the years the skin care industry has had to increase the level of chemical compounds in sunscreen in order to raise the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) level. Researchers from the University of Southern California have, however, recently found that sunscreen can actually cause more harm than good once it is soaked into the skin.
Upon absorption into the skin, sunscreen can actually form the very dangerous compounds it was meant to block. Researchers found that some commonly used ultraviolet (UV) filters actually soak into the skin’s layers and from there can generate harmful components called reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are substances that can cause skin cancer.
Other research has shown that the greatest increases in the cancer melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens are promoted and used widely. Mike Adams of Naturalnews.com often claims that sunscreen is a scam and that we have zero need for it.
In addition to the cancer risk is the effect of sunscreen on children’s development. Many sunscreen chemicals also have estrogen-like effects. Estrogen is a hormone that affects many aspects of the female body development and functions. Too much exposure to toxic estrogenic chemical sunscreens can increase cancers and cause birth defects in children.
Researchers have found estrogenic sunscreens in the breast milk of mothers at about the same levels as other known environmental contaminants such as PCBs. They further believe that exposure could be significantly increased in childhood by the large amount of sunscreen used by bathers, especially children. Children’s organs are more sensitive to estrogen exposure and can develop abnormalities at their early stages (including embryo, fetus and toddler stages) if exposed.
Limiting exposure to sun and seeking out more healthy skin products that do not contain dangerous ingredients (chemical free choices are available) are possible solutions for you to consider for your children. And we can’t forget hat sun exposure is a GOOD thing. We need sunlight exposure for good health so I will rarely apply sunblock to my own kids unless we are going to be in the sun for a prolonged length of time. Otherwise I just let them get some sun and/or use protective clothing to diminish risk. So for a few hours at the zoo…not likely to use it but I will have hats and sunglasses for them and we will be mindful to seek out some shade when we need it. But for an all day trip to the beach…yes I will bring some safe sunscreen.
So what exactly do you need to avoid when choosing a sunscreen? Here are some nasty ingredients you will want to stay away from if you can:
PABA: This is not widely used anymore, but just in case. Many people are very sensitive to this ingredient and can end up with red, itchy skin.
Benzophenone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate): These chemicals are bad news because they have shown estrogenic activity in lab tests. Oxybenzone is aderivative of benzophenone and it is linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. According to the CDC 97% of Americans are contaminated with this widely-used sunscreen ingredient.
Parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-): Parabens are common in sunscreens so avoiding them may prove difficult. They are preservatives that have estrogenic qualities. They have produced abnormal hormonal effects following on laboratory rodents, particularly male, resulting in decreased testosterone levels and other abnormalities. They have also been found to accumulate in the breast tissue of women with breast cancer.
Padimate-O and Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone): While on the surface of the skin these chemicals appear to prevent UV damage but when absorbed into the skin they can actually damage DNA. There is evidence that the sun’s light may cause these chemicals to become reactive and cause free-radical damage when they’re absorbed. I find it alarming that pediatricians often recommend these very ingredients.
In general if you want to know which sunscreens are usually loaded with the bad stuff….oh just the easy to find ones like Coppertone, Banana Boat, Avon, Nivea, Neutrogena, The Body Shop, etc. Also even some of the ones that appear to be more natural like Kiss My Face or Aveeno have some pretty nasty sunscreens.
In general, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are good choices as they scatter or reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them. And since traditional formulations are not absorbed into the skin (thus the white streaks on the skin), there is less risk of the substance building up in your body. Formulations with nano particles may be absorbed into the skin, although since these are natural minerals there is debate about this being an issue but I will point out the ones I know have them.
Here is a list of some of the safer sunscreens I have found:
TruKid’s SunnyDays sunscreen - Safe and affordable.
California Baby SPF 30 + Sunblock Stick - No Fragrance - My top pick for kids! This is a non chemical sunscreen. It uses non-penetrating titanium dioxide (no nano particles) to protect against the sun. It is also made with organic & sustainably grown ingredients.
California Baby SPF 30 - This is specially for children to be safe and it a favorite among many natural parents. I have used this on my own kids and I really like it. I usually opt for the fragrance free versions.
California Baby SPF 30 + Bug Repellent - This is a good sunblock/bug repellent combo that is DEET free.
Badger Face & Body Sunblock SPF 30 - There was huge run on this sunscreen not long ago and you could hardly get it. It is known to be one of the safest sunscreens out there.
Miessence Organics Reflect Outdoor Balm SPF 15 - I have some if this and I like it…very clean smelling and not sticky. It is also made by a great company with organic ingredients. It has added antioxidants and beta carotene to help nourish skin and protect it.
Lavera Baby and Children Sun Screen Lotion, SPF 30 - Contains organic peach seed, apricot seed oil and calendula and protects against UV A, B and C rays with waterproof protection.
Jason Natural - Sunbrellas Chemical Free Sun Block SPF30+ - Chemical, Fragrance and Paraben Free Complete UVA & UVB Protection Ideal for Sensitive Skin.
Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive Faceblock SPF 25 - Another chemical free sunblock using non-penetrating titanium dioxide. This has a hint of color…most likely to hide the streaky whiteness of the natural titanium dioxide.
Sunscreen SPF 30 by Soleo Organics - Made with Zinc Oxide, it provides 3 hours of water resistant protection without the use of chemical UV-absorbers or synthetic preservatives. This sunscreen is made with nano particles.
Also don’t forget your protective gear…so you won’t need sunscreen as much:
Legionnaire Hats - These hats for kids have flaps on either side that protect the face, head, and neck areas from getting burned. They are also made with UV protective fabric.
Sunday Afternoon’s Kid’s Play Hat UPF 45 - Made of lightweight water-resistant supplex fabric, blocks UVA and UVB rays, rated 45 UPF. Full veil covers back of neck, mesh panels for ventilation, down-sloped flexible brim shades face.
Baby Banz Sunglasses - 100% UV/UVA & UVB ray protection. You can also get a sunglasses/hat combo.
Also Frubi Shades. I have used both of these brands with my own kids and I like them.
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rachel said,
April 21, 2008 at 7:57 am:
Wow, did this post just save me a lot of time! Thank you, thank you!
rachel’s last blog post..36/37 weeks
Beth Ray said,
April 21, 2008 at 11:06 am:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I ordered some California Baby sunscreen for my little one and to give to my SIL for her shower.
Beth Ray’s last blog post..Avery’s Outfit for Today
Jennifer said,
April 21, 2008 at 11:11 am:
I like the Badger brand SPF 15 sunscreen. I know and can pronounce ALL of the ingredients. It is safe for the face too. I have a child with extremely sensitive skin and this is the only one that doesn’t make him get red splotches. It also smells nice
Dirkey said,
April 21, 2008 at 11:44 am:
I’m definitely going to be using this guide to buy mine. My hubs is PALE, and for some reason doesn’t like wearing the big floppy gardening hats… So this will help alot! Thanks!!
Oh yeah, running an eco-friendly contest on my blog check it out!
Dirkey’s last blog post..Joy in the small things-An Earth Day Contest
Sonya said,
April 21, 2008 at 1:40 pm:
As my 6 year old had surgery last year to remove an atypical spitzoid melanoma, we are super conscientious of sunscreen here. I let the kids go out for 15 minutes w/o sunscreen but anything longer needs to have sunscreen. 20 minutes in the sun and my kiddos have a mild burn…LOVE the Badger sunscreen, ditto to Jennifer (#3) And yes, last year it was very tough to find after the Environmental Working Group gave it a great rating for safety.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/wordsearch.php?query=sunscreen&showmore=products&start=0&order=webscore+INC
Holly Autry said,
April 21, 2008 at 7:15 pm:
Great info on sunscreens. I’ve often wondered about how “safe” and just what they truly “screen” if they’re loaded with chemicals you can’t pronounce. Dying to read that book!
Jen Mc said,
April 22, 2008 at 10:27 am:
Thanks for the info. I just checked the suncreen I bought last year and I won’t be using it on my son. I’ll definetly be getting one of the brands you mentioned in your post.
red sunglasses said,
April 22, 2008 at 12:54 pm:
[...] ourselves in sunscreen. A study by The American Cancer Society has stated that 80% of our totalhttp://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2008/04/21/safe-sunscreens/Sunshine if we ever see it means time for sunscreen The OlympianThere is an 80 percent reduction in [...]
Lisa said,
April 22, 2008 at 11:04 pm:
Thanks for the info. What do you think of Blue Lizard Australian suncream?
Karen said,
April 23, 2008 at 3:46 pm:
Great review of sunscreens - big time save - thanks!
euphoria’s blog for green mamas » Safe Sunscreens for the Family said,
April 24, 2008 at 10:29 am:
[...] Safe Sunscreens for the Family [...]
Amy said,
April 24, 2008 at 11:04 am:
What are your thoughts on Blue Lizard suntan lotion? Thanks!
zirky said,
April 26, 2008 at 2:47 am:
I would like to add another safe sunscreen to the list: Burt’s Bees Chemical-Free sunscreen with hemp seed oil. Paraben-free and phthalate-free.
Michelle said,
April 26, 2008 at 8:30 pm:
I use California Babies 30+ unscented with my 14 month daughter it works fantastic I highly recommend it. I also don’t apply sunscreen unless we are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time. Studies are showing that Vitamin D is essential to maintaining health and well being in our bodies. The NIH found that approximately 80% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D. There is new research to suggest that vitamin D guards against an array of diseases, including colon, breast, and prostate cancers. If you are interested in reading more about the role vitamin D plays in our overall health you can check out http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/vitamin-d-deficiency.html
Tamar said,
May 5, 2008 at 8:12 pm:
Thank you, this is awesome! I had already gotten the California Baby sunblock stick, but hadn’t had the chance to really sort out what all those ingredients are.
Tamars last blog post..Spring vest
dana said,
May 13, 2008 at 8:55 am:
I am a consultant for Arbonne. They carry an infant line of body care products including sunscreen. Their products are botanically based and safe for babies (and adult).
Erin Ely said,
May 13, 2008 at 10:40 am:
Hi Tiffany and everyone,
I wanted to clear up a comment in Tiffany’s review about the Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm, Miessence does not and never will use any nano sized particles in any of the Miessence products. The Zinc Oxide in Miessence Outdoor Balm is not nanosized, it is micronized.
Miessence has a sunscreen that does not contain Titanium Dioxide or oxybenzone, parabens, or any of the other harmful ingredients Tiffany has listed in her post.
The Miessence sunscreen is a physical blocker, containing zinc oxide. The zinc oxide is micronized, not nanoized.
IT is micronized so that your skin is not totally white after you apply the sunscreen. Micronized sized particles do not pass through your skin.
Micronization is achieved through mechanical grinding not nano engineering.
One of the the other benefits of the Miessence sunscreen is there are no other coatings on any of the minerals.
Titanium must be coated with something to prevent clumping, For instance Dr. Hauschka uses aluminum hydroxide to coat their titanium dioxide. (you can read about this on their website)
Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm is labeled as SPF 15 but has been tested to SPF 30. I am recommending this if you are looking for a sunscreen free of harmful ingredients.
I am personally not a big fan of sunscreens and I tend to use hats and cover myself up and stay out of the direct sun as much as I can when I am outside, I try to keep out of the direct sun, that’s my strategy.
I know that this does not work all the time and there will be times when I cannot do this so my back up is the Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm. http://elyorganics.com/miessence-products/13430/
Miessence Outdoor Balm:
Complete ingredients list:
Organic olive, Zinc Oxide, capric triglyceride, Organic Shea Fruit Butter, Organic unrefined beeswax, oat kernel flour, polygonoum multiflorum root extract, natural vitamin e, organic carnauba wax, Organic olive fruit oil, Organic Rosemary Extract, dunaliella salina algae extract
Warm regards,
Erin Ely
Miessence Certified Organics
ONE Group Independent Representative
Erin Ely said,
May 13, 2008 at 12:15 pm:
Hi,
Someone has asked about Blue Lizard Sunscreen
you can go to their site and read their ingredients list; that is the key to evaluating a product like this, any personal care product needs complete ingredients lists to be able to evaluate it.
There are many, many synthethic chemicals in this product
you can view an ingredients list here: http://www.crownlaboratories.com/bluelizard/documents/Regularsunscreenback.pdf
This is the key, to learn how to evaluate ingredients lists….any claim of safe, organic, natural, pure, beneficial, botanical must be taken with a grain of salt when it comes to products like this…the only true way to evaluate them is to see an ingredients list.
Here is a run down of the ingredients list for the Blue Lizard Regular sunscreen:
“Active Ingredeients”
Octinooxate
Octocrylene
Oxybenzone
Zinc Oxide
“Inactive ingredients”
Purified water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Sterate, Polyglycerl-4 Isoterate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Trimethylated Silica/Dimethecone, Octododecyl Neopentanoate, VP/hexadcene Copolymer, Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castoer Oil, Sorbitol Oleate and Hydrogenated Castor Oil and Beeswax and Stearic acid, Cetyl Dimethicone, Methylparaben and Propylparaben and Ethylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Tocopheryl Acetate and FRAGRANCE
This is where I beg to differ from EWG, the ingredients list is full of petrochemical based ingredients, silicone derivatives, paraben preservatives, formaldehyde releasing chemical (diazolidinyl Urea).
I looked on EWG and these products do rate from 1 to 3.
Personally, this is not a product I would use due to the massive amount of chemical based ingredients, much of the ingredients except for the zinc oxide, water, beeswax, castor oil (that has been hydrogenated) are synthetic petroleum based chemicals.
If you have no problem slathering yourself with chemicals, then I guess there is no problems.
Really, I want to encourage you to read the ingredients list on the products, even if a product claims to be pure and natural, beneficial, organic, etc….the key is reading the ingredients list to really evaluate this for yourself.
Regards,
Erin
http://elyorganics.com/
erica said,
May 16, 2008 at 3:10 pm:
what about aveeno products??
Erin Ely said,
May 16, 2008 at 4:37 pm:
Hi Erica,
Aveeno Sunblock lotion SPF 45
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3.0%) (Sunscreen), Octisalate (5.0%) (Sunscreen), Octocrylene (2.4%) (Sunscreen), Oxybenzone (6.0%) (Sunscreen)
Inactive Ingredients: BHT, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract (Soybean), Hydroxethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer (Soybean), Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylparaben, PEG 100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Propylparaben, Silica, Squalane, Synthetic Bees Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trimethyl Siloxysilicate, VP Eicosene Copolymer, Water, Xanthan Gum
What do you think?
essentially chemicals, basically all chemicals really, with some of the worst offending chemicals, scary stuff.
The Truth of the product is in the ingredients list, not what it says on the label, not what the company marketing tells you, if you can’t pronounce the names and they all sound like chemicals they are chemicals, where are the natural ingredients in this list?
Unbelievable stuff here….
take a look at the rating for this particular product on the Environmental Working Groups skin deep data base:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=100696
It rates an 8 (out of 10), which is in the high hazard category.
Regards,
Erin Ely
Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm; organic sunscreen
http://elyorganics.com/miessence-products/13430/
erica said,
May 16, 2008 at 4:42 pm:
wow and i just bought 2 tubes of this stuff..
so i saw that cali baby was top pick. i’m assuming i have to order that online.
is their a cheaper safe one? also what about lotions and body washes then? i use johnson head to toe wash and aveeno lotion
Erin Ely said,
May 16, 2008 at 5:32 pm:
Hi Erica,
If you can return them and get your money back you might want to do that.
In regards to the California Baby, that is Tiffany’s reccomendation.
I went to their website, California Baby and this was somewhat disappointing because they are not showing their ingredients lists, this is a red flag for me right from the beginning.
they do talk about all the ingredients that are not in the product:
http://www.californiababy.com/ingredients.html
But this does not help me much so I went to the EWG website and looked up the product, they have a good rating for the product, it rates a 1, that is low hazard.
This is where I differ from EWG, although I think it’s an awesome database and they are doing great things bringing these issues to the forefront.
I have been working with ONE Group (the manufactures of Miessence) in getting Miessence products into the EWG database.
ONE Group is also a signer of the campaign for safe cosmetics. For us, it’s a secondary issue, Cosmetic manufacturers who sign “The Pledge” agree to try to remove harmful ingredients from cosmetics within the next three years and to comply with the European Union’s regulations banning harmful, carcinogenic and untested cosmetic ingredients. The Campaign is a worthy effort to bring consumer, industry and legislative focus on this important issue, however, all Miessence Skin Care products already conform to European safety regulations plus many of them meet a third party independent certification standard for organic.
This is wildly beyond what California baby has. I’m not saying it’s a bad product there are levels of this.
On EWG, I found an ingredients list for California Baby’s Fragrance free sunscreen and their rating:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=91464&refurl=%2Fbrowse.php%3Fcomp_id%3D268%26
Ingredients from packaging: Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide Other Ingredients: aqua (purified water), lysine cocoate (coconut fatty acid), cyclomethicone (water repellant/ silicone), vegetable glycerin (coconut), dipolyhydroxystearate (coconut), candelilla cera (candelilla wax), tocopherol (vit.e), *cocos nucifera oil (coconut), *squalane (olive oil), * magnesium sulfate (epsom salts), panthenol and allatoin (vit b.complex factor), magnesium stearate, *phospholipid (emollient, coconut source), polyaminopropyl biguanide (extremely mild antimicrobial; no formaldehyde or formaldehyde donors, non-solvent and non-genotoxic). *organic or sustainable
This is where I diverge from EWG’s evaluation of ingredients.
They are focused on chemical based ingredeints, because they are using information coming from CIR, and most studies are centered on chemical’s not botanicals.
California Baby is much, much better than Aveeno there is no doubt about it.
I personally have two issues with their ingredients:
1) Titanium dioxide; generally this is an unstable ingredient and can create free radicals when exposed to sunlight, it clumps so it must be coated with something to keep this from happening, not sure what they are coating their titanium with…..I know Dr. Hauscka coats their titanium dioxide with aluminum hydroxide:
http://www.drhauschka.com/customer-service/faqs/Default.aspx?cid=3#
It’s possible that the dimethecone is the coating they are using on their Titanium dioxide, dimethecone is a silicone derivative and it is commonly used for coating minerals like titanium dioxide.
They are using chemical, because they are using “derived” from ingredients. When you see this terminology on an ingredients list, it’s essentially a marketing approach to sway you into “submission” because when you see that you think “Oh this is from coconut” so it must be natural.
Derived from ingredients must be extracted and they do this using chemicals and at the end of the process they are no longer have any relationship to coconut, so I say that using that kind of listing on an ingredients list is somewhat misleading for consumers because if they just put the chemical name you would not have the same perception about these “derived from” ingredients.
In this instance you get what you pay for. the California baby sunscreen is $17.99 for 2.9 oz or $6.20 per oz.
yes it’s a bit more than your Aveeno but it’s definitely much, much safer.
Miessence Reflect Outdoor balm; which I listed the ingredients for already in an earlier post is $26.95 for 3.5 oz and that makes it $7.70 per oz, this is the next level up, I have not seen another sunscreen on the market as clean as this, yes I know I am biased but it’s true.
oh my in regards to Johnson head to toe wash,
all of them rate 4, 5, 6 on the EWG database which puts them in the moderate risk category:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/wordsearch.php?query=johnson%20head%20to%20toe%20wash
Erica, you should get on the EWG database and look at your products girl, you will want to change all of them. At least this will give you a basis to start from.
You can be a price shopper but that could get you in to trouble….
read the ingredients list before you buy something…use your common knowledge and intuition, if there are long list of chemical names on the product, it is not natural and it’s not organic and most of us know that, we just get sucked in by the marketing.
I am sorry but the Miessence products are not showing up in EWG right now because we just updated a bunch of formulations and they have not put them back up yet….we had over 70 products listed at one time….hopefully they will be back up soon.
Gotta run.
All the best,
Erin Ely
ONE Group Independent Representative
Miessence Certified Organics
http://elyorganics.com/
Jules said,
May 18, 2008 at 10:22 pm:
I even use sunblock in the winter, though I switch to a lower SPF. I like Weleda’s Edelweiss Suncream SPF20 for the face.
Juless last blog post..Moisturisers
Marla said,
May 20, 2008 at 11:25 pm:
Erica,
I also wanted to point out something a little more in depth about the danger of using products like Johnson & Johnson that Erin didn’t. It’s also not limited to that company, but most regular store brands, even ones that are typically considered more expensive use peto-chemicals (like Erin mentioned).
I feel like it’s important to understand why these are dangerous. Petochemicals are any substance that is created as a byproduct to petroleum. Such common ingredients are Mineral Oil, Petrolatum (or any ingredient that starts with petro…), and Paraffin. There are about 60 different names for mineral oil that companies use.
Petroleum (mineral oil) is very cheap and there aren’t regulations regarding it’s use in the US. However, mineral oil is technically listed as a known carcinogen (cancer causing) with the EPA. Petroleum is created through a refining process after the oil is seperated from Crude oil to created gasoline. It’s refined further into a variety of substances and textures and given different names. But this can also be a good time to point out that everything that is natural isn’t always beneficial.
The reason these ingredients aren’t beneficial to us is that they cannot be absorbed into the skin because the size of their molecular structure is too large. This essentially coats the skin and prevents it from breathing or releasing toxins from the body. It would be like covering all of your skin with ceran wrap tightly. Nothing gets in and nothing gets out. The skin isn’t aborsing any potentially good ingredients the comany has put in your product and your skin isn’t able to regulate it’s body temperature. Because mineral oil and other petrol ingredients give a very slick feeling on the skin, it causes people to think they are being hydrated, but they are actually suffocating their skin. This is why when something like chapstick or a lotion wears off people feel an urgency to reapply. Their skin is actually very dehydrated.
Why then do companies use these ingredients? They are extremely cheap and don’t go bad. A gallon of mineral oil is about a dollar, compared to essential oils which are very beneficial to our skin and bodies which can range depending on it’s type, but can easily reach over $100 per gallon with an expiration date. Most companies are looking for the largest profit possible, and pretrol ingredients are good as keeping cost of production down.
If a bottle of lotion is $3.00 retail, is costs Target $1.50 to purchase it from their wholesale distributor. That distributor has be able to make a profit as well and they purchase it probably for around .75. This means that the original creator of the product has to create and package it’s product, pay for advertising, cost of business, etc. for still make profit for less than 75 cents each. The actual cost of the product itself is probably 10 or 15 cents. I ask myself, what quality of ingredients can a company use to make a lotion for 10 or 15 cents? Something to think about.
I realize that for any family, affordability is key. The cost of a family is substantial. There are many great companies who use high quality ingredients and strive for safety of product as well as effective results. Try looking for a company who doesn’t advertise or who isn’t distributed through a regular big box store or typical grocer. Products found through stores like Whole Foods, Wild Oats, co-ops, etc. usually don’t contain these ingredients or other harmful chemicals. Also, there are several reputable network marketing or direct sales companies that are able to offer a great product due to their cost of business being so low. If spending $10 or $15 on lotion 2 times a year (give or take) seems like to much, just put it into perspective to the rest of your life. I spend more than that a month on chai tea.
Erin is very knowledgeable on product safety and she loves her comany, which is why she is biased to them. I have not used their products, but am sure they are fantastic. But don’t be disuaded from using a brand like California Baby who does have a fantastic product as well.
Good luck.
Frugal Babe said,
June 9, 2008 at 6:24 pm:
Thanks for this post. I got some california baby sunscreen as a gift - glad to see it on the list. The whole time I was pregnant, I avoided sunscreen, lotions, even regular shampoo and conditioner. I have very fair skin, so my only option was to stay out of the sun or cover up. I got used to wearing light weight shirts with long sleeves, and I wear a wide brimmed hat any time I’m outside. I’m doing the same thing with our son. lightweight sleepers with “footsies” are my favorite, as they cover all of him. And hats with tails that cover the neck are great too. When we do eventually take him in the water, he’ll be wearing long shorts and a rashguard, rather than half a cup of sunscreen - but I’m glad that we have good sunscreen for the parts of him that we can’t cover up.