Someplace Warm And Sunny

**See my updated Sunscreen post here**

It’s officially June! For us that means lots of time playing outside, days by the pool and beach trips. In fact, we’re headed off somewhere sunny this weekend! I’ve gotten tons of questions about sunscreen lately and I’ve tried to give those who asked some brand recommendations, but I thought this would be a good time to go over the basics and answer some of the most frequent questions like, ‘why should I use natural?‘ and ‘do natural sunscreens even work?‘. Sunscreen can harbor lots of nasties, but I’ve got you covered! Read on for what you need to know before picking out your next sunscreen.

These days we’re bombarded with so many campaigns for skin cancer awareness and everything from magazine articles to PSA’s telling you don’t leave home without sunscreen on. My mom has had reoccurring skin cancer for the last ten years, so I’ve taken that advice to heart and try to be very vigilant in using it. The problem is that most traditional sunscreens are made using chemicals that absorb UV rays, and like so many other personal care products they’re filled with synthetic preservatives, fragrances and performance enhancers that all pose a health risk. Not to mention the actual chemicals used to block the sun have pretty bad side effects. The two worst culprits are Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. Oxybenzone is extremely widespread and found in 97% of Americans. It acts like estrogen in the body and is associated with endometriosis. In studies it lowered sperm count in animals. It penetrates your skin easily and is even makes it’s way into breast milk. Octinoxate can also be found in breast milk. It boasts side effects such as hormone-like activity in the body and alterations in thyroid, reproductive systems and behavior in animal studies. Geez, skin cancer versus endometriosis and lowered sperm count? I’m happy to say there is a better alternative.

While those drug store sunscreens use chemicals to shield you from UV rays, natural sunscreens use physical blockers that are just as effective (or even more so) at blocking out the harmful rays. Most natural versions use either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and instead of absorbing the UV rays they actually reflect them so that they’re not absorbed by your skin at all. They also don’t break down over time with sun exposure like chemical versions do so they should be effective longer (still aim to reapply every two hours or after a dip in the water to be safe). In the old days these went on pretty white (remember the old images of surfers with a white nose?), however the newer versions are processed in a way to help them go on sheer. I’ve run into some that are a little less sheer, but for the most part I’ve been pretty impressed. I personally find they last longer and work better- neither of my kids have ever had a sun burn and we’ve spent plenty of time in the sun.

There are so many great natural sunscreens out there, but here’s what we’re currently using:

Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Fragrance Free Clear Zinc– Perfect for babies and children, this is what I use on the kids for a pool day and I’ve been using it on myself as well. It spreads easily and goes on really sheer. I found it for a steal on Amazon. It’s normally $16.39, but if you use Subscribe and Save (which I do), you can get it for $13.93!

Honest Sunscreen Stick SPF 30– This little guy is so handy. I keep one in my bag for days at the park or outdoor sports lessons, etc. It’s easy to apply to my kids’ faces and arms when we’re on the go. Normally $9.95 but it’s also cheaper if you subscribe to one of their bundles. (Babo Botanicals also makes a stick that’s about the same price)

Suntegrity 5-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30– It’s no secret I love this product. I use it everyday and talk about it constantly! It’s perfect for under makeup or great for a day in the sun when you don’t want to wear makeup but still want a nice even skin tone. This is hands down the best tinted moisturizer I’ve tried. $45

We also like Honest Co.’s sunscreen lotion and you can find it super cheap at Costco. Last week I saw a 2-pack there on sale for under $11! Another brand we really like Badger’s sunscreens. Recently, I received a newer brand that I’m in the process of testing out, so hopefully I’ll have another option for you guys soon. As always, I’m up for questions if you need more information or more brand recommendations. With all of these effective, natural options out there let’s skip the toxic stuff and stay safe in the sun! xoxo