It’s that wonderful time of the year when the temperatures begin to rise (or fall and then rise again, as it has been in NJ) and we inch closer to the unofficial start of summer later this month.
It’s also perfectly coincides with the Environmental Working Group releasing their annual sunscreen guide, which is the ideal refresher on the importance of which sunscreen ingredients to avoid, what kind of sunscreen to buy and use, and how to stay safer in the sun.
Ingredients matter, as many chemicals used in sunscreens can be directly absorbed into our bodies and impact our health. In 2019, when the Food and Drug Administration proposed its most recent updates to sunscreen regulations, it found that “only two ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, could be classified as safe and effective, based on the currently available information. But in the past year, numerous new studies have raised new concerns about endocrine-disrupting effects from three other ingredients: homosalate, avobenzone and oxybenzone.”
Due to the lack of formal regulation from the FDA, it’s really up to us to do our due diligence and ensure we are reading the ingredient labels on products before buying.
So, what should you look for in sunscreens?
- Opt for mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as these will effectively and safely protect your skin from UVA/UVB rays.
- Ignore the SPF 100 claims – believe me, I used to think the higher the SPF, the better! – as higher SPF values haven’t been shown to provide additional benefits and may instead give us a false sense of security.
- We all want safety, so let’s also shop responsibly and vote with our dollars by choosing sunscreens that are reef-friendly and protect our oceans.
Before buying, head to the EWG website and check their user-friendly and helpful database to see how your sunscreens rank. My recommendations? I (not so surprisingly ;))love the Beautycounter Sheer Daily Defense and Countersun stick for my family’s faces, as well as our lotion and mist for overall use, as they rub in very easily and work so well (I personally prefer the mist for re-application). Other safer favorites are Badger, Babo Botanicals, Thinksport/Thinkbaby and Goddess Garden.
Be sure to wear sunscreen daily, even if the sun isn’t out, and remember that proper application is key. Set timers to remind you to re-apply at least every two hours or less if you’ve been swimming, exercising or sweating.
Also, protect yourself beyond the sunscreen by finding or making shade, limiting time outside during peak hours (10am-2pm) and wearing appropriate clothing, hats and sunglasses.
Your skin will thank you now later 😉
Living Cleaner, Easier & Safer 