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Sun Safety 2013: Best Sunscreens and Those to Avoid
Photo: Ralph Daily/Flickr
Memorial Day Weekend is just around the corner, and that means backyard barbeques and trips to the beach. As you gear up to head outside, remember to take sunburn precautions. Nothing spoils the holiday fun like red, blistered, painful skin.
A few tips from the EPA and FDA. Limit your time in the sun, especially from 10-2 when UV rays are strongest. Cover up whenever possible. Use water resistant sunscreen when swimming or exerting yourself. And this one is key: REAPPLY. Specifically, the EPA recommends:
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going out into the sun (or as directed by the manufacturer) to give it time to absorb into your skin. Apply it generously and regularly—about 1 ounce every 2 hours—and more often if you are swimming or perspiring.
As for choosing a sunscreen, once again the folks at the Environmental Working Group have done the heavy lifting. Their 184 top-rated beach and sport sunscreens are below; on EWG’s website you’ll find lots more info and ratings for many, many more products—including moisturizers, lip balm, and makeup with SPF—as well as their free app.
Before the good stuff, here are eight sunscreen no-nos from EWG:
- No spray sunscreens: It’s easy to miss spots, and there are concerns about inhaling the product.
- No super-high SPFs: They give a false sense of security, which can lead to fewer re-applications, which increases risk of exposure to damaging UVA rays. Avoid anything higher than SPF 50+.
- No oxybenzone: A UV-filter, this chemical is an endocrine disruptor that might contribute to adverse health effects—more research is needed.
- No loose powder sunscreens: These often contain zinc or titanium, which can be harmful if inhaled.
- No retinyl palmitate: Studies show that on sun-exposed skin, this form of Vitamin A may speed development of skin tumors and lesions.
- No combined sunscreen/bug repellents: There’s some evidence that combining sunscreens and repellents leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients.
- No sunscreen towelettes: It’s questionable whether these products result in enough sunscreen on your skin to ensure protection.
- No tanning oils: EWG says, “Tanning oils are simply a bad idea. They promote risky behavior, encouraging users seek out intense sunshine that results in skin damage and increased risk of developing skin cancer.”
Now, on to the top-rated beach and sport sunscreens. All earned a ‘1’ or a ‘2’ from EWG, which scores products on a on a scale of 1 to 10: 0-2 is low hazard; 3-6 is moderate hazard; 7-10 is high hazard.
Absolutely Natural
Absolutely Natural KIDS Sunscreen, SPF 30
Absolutely Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Alba Botanica
Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Kids Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Mineral Sunscreen, Fragrance Free, SPF 30
All Terrain
All Terrain AquaSport Face Stick, SPF 28
All Terrain AquaSport Lotion, SPF 30
All Terrain KidSport Face Stick, SPF 28
All Terrain KidSport Lotion, SPF 30
All Terrain TerraSport Face Stick, SPF 28
All Terrain TerraSport Lotion, SPF 30
ARCONA
ARCONA Reozone 40 Protect, SPF 40
Aubrey Organics
Aubrey Organics Natrual Sun Sport Stick Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Saving Face Sunscreen, SPF 15
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sunscreen for Active Lifestyles, Tropical, SPF 30
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sunscreen, Green Tea, SPF 30+
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sunscreen, Sensitive Skin/Children, Unscented, SPF 30+
Ava Anderson Non Toxic
Ava Anderson Non Toxic, SPF 30+
Aveeno
Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Face Stick, SPF 50
Babo Botanicals
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sport Stick, SPF 30
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen, SPF 30
BabyGanics
BabyGanics Cover-Up Baby Pure Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50+
BabyGanics Cover-Up Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Badger
Badger All-Season Face Stick, SPF 35
Badger Aloe Vera Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 16
Badger Aloe Vera Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
Badger Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Badger Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, Lavender, SPF 34
Badger Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 34
Badger Kids Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
Badger Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Badger Sport Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 35
Badger Sunscreen Cream, Lavender, SPF 18
Badger Sunscreen Cream, Lavender, SPF 30
Badger Sunscreen Cream, Unscented, SPF 30
BALM! Baby
BALM! Baby SUN! Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Beauty Without Cruelty
Beauty Without Cruelty Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
Beyond Coastal
Beyond Coastal Active Broad Spectrum Face Stick, SPF 30
Beyond Coastal Active Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 34
Beyond Coastal Kids Natural Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
Beyond Coastal Natural Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
Beyond Coastal Natural Lip & Face Broad Spectrum Screen, SPF 31
Blue Lizard
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Baby, SPF 30+
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive, SPF 30+
BurnOut
BurnOut Eco-Sensitive Clean and Clear Sunscreen, SPF 30
BurnOut Kids Physical Sunscreen, SPF 30
BurnOut Ocean Tested Physical Sunscreen, SPF 30
Burt’s Bees
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
Butterbean
California Baby
California Baby Everyday/Year-Round Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30+
California Baby Super Sensitive Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 18
California Baby Everyday/Year-Round Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30+
California Baby Summer Blend Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30+
California Baby Super Sensitive Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
California Baby Super Sensitive Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30+
Celadon Road
Celadon Road Sunscreen, SPF 20
Celadon Road Tinted Sunscreen, SPF 22
Celtic Complexion
Celtic Complexion Organic Sunscreen, SPF 20
CeraVe
CeraVe Body Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
CeraVe Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
CeraVe Face Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
Climb On!
Climb On! Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
Consonant Skincare
Consonant Skincare The Perfect Sunscreen, SPF 30
COOLA
COOLA Suncare Baby Moisturizer Mineral Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 50
COOLA Suncare Plant UV Body Moisturizer Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 30
COOLA Suncare Sport Moisturizer Classic Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 45
COOLA Suncare Sport Moisturizer Mineral Sunscreen, Citrus Mimosa, SPF 35
Coppertone
Coppertone Faces Sensitive Skin Suncreen Lotion, SPF 50
Coppertone Kids Pure & Simple Lotion, SPF 50
Coppertone Sensitive Skin Suncreen Lotion, SPF 50
Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Coral Safe
Coral Safe Broad Spectrum Face Stick, SPF 30
Coral Safe Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
Coral Safe Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 50
CVS
CVS Baby Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 50
Daisy Blue Naturals
Daisy Blue Naturals Sun Lotion, SPF 15
Dolphin Organics
Dolphin Organics Naturals Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 32
Dr. Robin for Kids
Dr. Robin for Kids All Natural Chemical-Free Sunscreen, SPF 30+
ECO Logical Skin Care
ECO logical skin care Baby All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+
ECO logical skin care Body All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+
ECO logical skin care Face All Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
Elementary Herbs
Elemental Herbs Kids Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Elemental Herbs Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Elemental Herbs Sunstick Zinc Sunscreen, Coconut, SPF 30
Elemental Herbs Sunstick Zinc Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 30
EltaMD
EltaMD UV Physical Tinted Chemical-Free Sunscreen, SPF 41
EltaMD UV Shield Oil-Free Sunscreen, SPF 45
Episencial
Fallene
CoTZ Face Sunscreen for Lighter Skin Tones, SPF 40
CoTZ Face Sunscreen for Natural Skin Tones, SPF 40
CoTZ Pediatric Sunscreen, SPF 40
CoTZ Pure The Healthier Sunscreen, SPF 30
CoTZ Sensitive Sunscreen, SPF 40
Goddess Garden
Goddess Garden Sunny Baby Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Goddess Garden Sunny Body Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Goddess Garden Sunny Face Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Goddess Garden Sunny Kid's Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Green Babies
Green Babies Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Sweetly Scented with Tangerine Essential
Green Babies Zinc Oxide Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 30
Green Screen
Green Screen D Organic Sunscreen, SPF 35
Green Screen Organic Sunscreen, Bronze, SPF 32
Green Screen Organic Sunscreen, Neutral, SPF 32
Green Screen Organic Sunscreen, Nude, SPF 32
Green Screen Organic Sunscreen, Original, SPF 31
Green Screen Organic Sunscreen, Peach, SPF 32
HeadHunter
HeadHunter Suncare War Paint, White, SPF 30
Healing-Scents
Healing-Scents Live Long Mineral Based Sunscreen, SPF 25
Jason Natural Cosmetics
Jason Pure Natural Sun Mineral Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Jersey Kids
Jersey Kids All Natural All Green Sunscreen, SPF 30
Jersey Shore Sun
Jersey Shore Sun Sans Tan Pure White Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 35
John Masters Organics
john masters organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
KINeSYS
KINeSYS Sunscreen Ointment with Pure Zinc Oxide, SPF 30
Kiss My Face
Kiss My Face Kids Natural Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
Kiss My Face Kids White Sun Stick, SPF 30
Kiss My Face Natural Mineral Sunscreen with Hydresia, SPF 40
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream, SPF 40
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Water Resistant Sunscreen Cream, SPF 15
Lavanila Laboratories
Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Baby Block, SPF 40
Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Sun Screen Body Cream, SPF 30
Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Sun Screen Face Cream, SPF 40
Lemongrass Spa
Lemongrass Spa Sport Sunscreen Stick, Natural Vanilla, SPF 30
Lemongrass Spa Sport Sunscreen Stick, Unscented, SPF 30
Lemongrass Spa Sport Sunscreen Stick,Tinted, Natural Vanilla, SPF 30
Lemongrass Spa Sunscreen Sport Natural Mineral Formula Lotion, SPF 30
Marie Veronique Organics
Marie Veronique Organics Kid Safe Screen, SPF 25