Sunscreens

It is the first really nice day in Maine this year (67 degrees at 2:30 p.m.) and the weekend is suppose to be even nicer. With the sun out and a cookout tomorrow, I decided to do some quick research on sunscreens. If you are using sunscreen you are most likely trying to prevent skin cancer. Why not take it a bit further and use sunscreen without ingredients that are possible carcinogens. (I know, crazy thought, isn’t it?)

My resource was my favorite skin product site, Skin Deep, referred to me by another favorite, The Soft Landing Blog. This information is taken from the Skin Deep blog and summarized for my use and others that may find it helpful. See both sites for more information.

SUNSCREENS from http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/index.php?nothanks=1

Top 10 products* (The numbers to the right of the product refer to its toxicity level).
1.    Soleo Organics Sunscreen Organic chemical free sunscreen SPF 30+            0
2.    Keys Soap Solar Rx Cosmetic Sunblock, SPF 30                        0
3.    Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, SPF 30+    0
4.    California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+                    0
5.    Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30                                0
6.    SanRe Organic Skinfood Supple Sunshine – Organic Rosemary and Lavender Day Creme (Dry to Normal)                                                1
7.    Purple Prairie Botanicals Sun Stick spf 30                        1
8.    Marie Veronique Organics Creme de Jour Tinted, SPF 30 (light face screen)        1
9.    Lavera Sunscreen Neutral, SPF 40                            1
10.    Devita International solar protective moisturizer 30                    1

Recommended Common Brands
1.    Blue Lizard            anything without oxybenzone
2.    California Baby            anything with SPF 30+
3.    CVS                with zinc oxide
4.    Jason Natural Cosmetics    Sunbrellas Mineral Based Sunblock
5.    Kiss My Face            “Paraben Free” series
6.    Neutrogena            Sensitive Skin Sunblock
7.    Olay    Defense         Daily UV Moisturizer (with zinc)
8.    SkinCeuticals            Physical UV Defense
9.    Solar Sense            Clear Zinc for Face
10.    Walgreens            Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears

Recommended products from popular brands* (A repeat of the list above with added detail.)
Blue Lizard

• Blue Lizard Australian Suncream Lotion, Sensitive, SPF 30
• Blue Lizard Australian Suncream Lotion, Baby, SPF 30+
• Blue Lizard Australian Suncream Lotion, Face, SPF 30+

California Baby

• California Baby Sunscreen Lotion No Fragrance, SPF 30+
• California Baby Sunscreen Lotion Natural Bug Blend, SPF 30+
• California Baby Sunscreen Lotion Everyday/year-Round, SPF 30+
• California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+
• California Baby Sunblock Stick Everyday/year-Round, SPF 30+

CVS CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 45+

Jason Natural Cosmetics Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas Mineral Based Physical Sunblock, SPF 30+

Kiss My Face

• Kiss My Face Face Factor Paraben Free, SPF 30
• Kiss My Face 100% Paraben Free Sunscreen with Oat Protein, SPF 30

Neutrogena Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30

Olay

• Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30
• Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, SPF 30

SkinCeuticals Skinceuticals Physical UV Defense, SPF 30

Solar Sense Solar Sense Clear Zinc, for Face, SPF 45

Walgreens Walgreens Sunblock with Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose & Ears, SPF 45+

Major brands that have no recommended sunscreens
Aubrey Organics (6), Avalon Natural Products (8), Aveeno (21), Banana Boat (41), Biore (1), Biotherm (11), Bull Frog (9), Burt’s Bees (2), Cetaphil (2), Clean & Clear (2), Coppertone (41), Cover Girl (4), Dove (4), Dr. Scholl’s (2), Elizabeth Arden (12), Eucerin (5), Garnier (3), Gillette (1), Hawaiian Tropic (10), Jergens (2), Juvena (2), La Roche-Posay (5), Lancome (28), LORAC (5), Lubriderm (1), Maybelline (1), Murad (9), Nature’s Gate (7), Nivea (4), Paradise Gold (4), Phisoderm (2), Pond’s (2), Purpose (2), RoC (6), Skin Simple (1), Target (.method) (1), The Body Shop (3), Vichy (2), Zia Natural Skincare (3)

* Products listed above are made by brands that are widely available in stores and that meet our criteria (SKIN DEEP) for an ideal sunscreen. Each of the recommendations has a green rating on our index (including broad spectrum protection from zinc or titanium, stable in sunlight, few hazardous ingredients). Additionally, these products offer other benefits, providing an SPF of 30 or higher, containing no oxybenzone which poses health concerns, and made in a cream or liquid form that can’t be inhaled like powder or spray sunscreens.