Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to get the good stuff on your skin this summer. I’ve talked to so many moms who have the natural thing down in so many places, but safe sunscreen is one where they just throw up their hands. I know some of you are already thinking, “Why use sunblock at all? We need Vitamin D from the sun and if we eat the proper diet and stay out of the sun midday, we won’t burn!”
If that’s you, your kids’ skin must not be as fair as mine, and perhaps you don’t live in a state of 10,000 lakes. It’s FUN to be outside right after lunch sometimes. It’s not fun to burn to a crisp, so excuse me while I put some mineral sunblock on my son who is going to a shadeless excursion in 15 minutes. 
Level of Commitment: Baby Steps
I don’t actually think safe, natural sun protection is that hard to figure out, and I do think it’s vitally important, more so even than soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc.
You really just need to figure out the active ingredients and the difference between sunblock and sunscreen. You can start by remembering these two terms:
zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Both are minerals, not chemicals, and they are the two active ingredients I’d look for in a sun protection cream. If they’re there, it’s called a sunblock because they act on the surface of the skin to block the rays of the sun. They’re rated quite safe at the EWG Skin Deep Database. (Most say zinc oxide is the safer of the two, but there’s a catch, too.)
If any other active ingredients are listed, I guarantee they’re chemicals. That makes your cream a sunscreen because the chemicals must first seep into the skin, then interact in a chemical reaction with the sun before they stop anything from hurting you.
The problem? Chemical reactions naturally give off by-products. Free radicals bopping around under your skin is a very bad thing, particularly the deeper they get. You can read more about sunscreen and cancer right here at KS and find the best all natural sunblock by browsing my reviews from last summer.
I’m sticking with straight minerals, no chemicals. You may not find them at the corner drugstore (sometimes you might!), but believe me, it’s worth the search.
10 Reasons I Choose Mineral Sunblocks
- Sits on the surface of the skin, instead of absorbing like chemical sunscreens.
- Works immediately upon application, instead of 20 minutes later.
- There’s no need for a chemical reaction under the surface of my skin to protect me from the sun. That gives me the heebie jeebies.
- Chemical sunscreens emit free radicals that may cause cancer worse than the sun once they’ve absorbed deeply into your skin (about 2 hours after application). Applying sunscreen once and then not again may be more harmful than not using any sun protection. No such risk for mineral sunblocks.
- Zinc is in my multivitamin, so why not put it on my skin?
- No expiration dates – no more wondering “will last year’s tube protect my kiddos’ skin this summer, or do I have to throw it out?” Minerals don’t degrade or lose their effectiveness like chemical sunscreens do. As long as you can spread the lotion, you’re protected.
- It’s easy to remember two minerals – zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – instead of trying to remember which of a dozen chemicals are safer and less safe.
- Both minerals are broad spectrum – UVA and UVB rays – whereas the chemical stuff needs at least two different chemicals mixed together, so you have to be more aware of what you’re buying.
- Many mineral sunscreens are made by conscientious companies like Kabana or Miessence, who take care to use well-sourced ingredients and ones that are safe for your skin as well. You find far fewer parabens and other carcinogens in natural mineral sunscreens/sunblocks.
- I still have 20 tubes of the 28 I reviewed last year. Although that reason may not resonate with you as deeply as some of the others.
UPDATE: Here are the new FDA sunscreen regulations and some updates on last year’s batch, and here are 16 more that I reviewed summer 2011.
And Two Reasons I Don’t Choose Mineral Sunscreens…
Sometimes I don’t want to wear any sunscreen, and the two reasons are at opposite ends of the spectrum (pun intended):
1. We need the sun to help us make Vitamin D in our skin. Many times, especially if I’m out before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or if I’ll be out a short time or will be able to find some shade off and on, I choose to wear no sun protection in order to soak in some of the healthful benefits of the sun’s rays. It’s all about smart sun exposure, not just sun protection and hiding from it at all costs.
2. There are some mineral sunblocks that cause problems, too. If the cream uses nano particles of zinc oxide (the better to rub it in, my dear), there are certain health risks associated with that, too. That’s why I note the nano or micro particles used and avoided in each of the safe sunscreen reviews I attempted.
Updates!
Believe it or not, I’ve got 5 new sunblocks to test this summer. The natural sunscreen reviews will be updated as this week goes on, and I’ll be sure to let you know as new ones come in via Facebook and Twitter and with a reminder here at the end of the week. I’ve been testing:
- Vanicream
- 3rd Rock Sunblock
- Green Goddess
- Dr. T’s Supergoop just arrived at my door as I type, and I’m waiting for
- Purple Prairie
I’ll look back through all the old reviews and make sure they include the nano particles and the Vitamin A and antioxidant options. Be sure to keep up with KS to find all the updates!
Thanks for sharing my work…
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Both Aveeno and Nivea are offering mineral sunblocks, sold at Target. We used Nivea this weekend- I was super pleased with it (three of my kids cannot wear chemical sunblocks, they get hives.) I bought the face stick to keep in my purse.
I have a post upcoming about it.
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Here is an article from the non-profit that I do volunteer work for. You might like to read it. http://lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=personal#sunpr
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Katie Reply:
June 13th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Thanks, Suzanne – great stuff!
Katie
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My kids don’t burn…even though they are VERY fair, and often out for an hour or two in the direct sun in the middle of the day. I don’t fully understand why that is, but they just don’t. They never have. I always watch carefully if we are at a park or something but…nope.
That said, supposing we ever were going to a beach or some place where we’d be more than a few hours, like an ALL DAY thing…I do have some Badger brand. Its active ingredient is only zinc oxide, which some say is safer than titanium dioxide (I do have some Burt’s Bees too, which contains both). They’re two years old and I’ve never used them…good to know I still could, if I wanted! Though given our history and the fact that my kids still nap I think I’d be inclined to just pull us inside for a few hours a day to take a break, even if we were on vacation somewhere sunny.
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Katie,
Thanks for the fantastic research. I, too, have heard that zinc oxide is better than titanium oxide. And although zinc oxide even shows up as a hazard rating (albeit low), it’s because it’s only dangerous if you inhale the powder form, which most of us don’t try to do 
Oh, wow, I appreciate how much TIME you save me
Renee
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Looking forward to your new reviews. I haven’t applied sunscreen in so long I can’t recall-but about 2 years ago. I grew up in the AZ desert and we were outside all.the.time. My skin was a deep brown color and I rarely had a sunburn. I think genetics plays a role, but have never researched that opinion. When sunscreens came on the market though, I jumped on it like a majority of people did and wore 8-15 depending on how long I’d be out. Kinda gross to think about now. My son (adopted) is part Navajo and doesn’t burn either, so we just don’t even bother. My husband on the other hand, still likes to apply sunscreen if he’ll be outside more than an hour. Once I read your reviews I’ll be able to choose one for him that won’t give me sticky hands when he asks me to put it on his back!
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I’m curious to hear more about the Aveeno Mineral Block that is new this year. I purchased the stick and have used it once so far with good results. I haven’t used it yet on my 4 mo old, trying to see if anyone has reviewed it yet. I like that it’s affordable, especially with sales and coupons available for this product.
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Katie Reply:
June 17th, 2011 at 2:24 am
Emily, I updated the natural sunscreen review with a section on evaluating sunscreens not on the list – check it out and read the ingredients on the Aveeno to see what you think. I haven’t seen it yet myself.
katie
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I noticed the aveeno mineral block too, the tube is tiny though and it’s rated at a 3. My 3 rating sunscreen is the coppertone kids or water babies pure and simple because it’s easy to find anywhere and it’s affordable.
I do want to get the stick though, I need something that is easy to apply to the face and the stick is rated a 1!
I’m curious about the Albe Botanica that you got last year, it was at the end of the reviews but you had just gotten it and not used it yet. Any other comments on that?
I’ve been trying to find a safe sunscreen that is water resistant and very affordable and it’s been so hard. I found the Alba Botanica kids mineral bunblock (rated a 2, the vanilla one is a 3) for just $5.47 for 4 oz on naturalhealthyconcepts.com and they have free anytime shipping on any order. I ordered two tubes, but it’s back ordered until I don’t know when. So I just picked up some Kiss my face kids sunblock that I think is new this year, I didn’t see it last year and it’s not on the EWG list yet. I think it looks pretty good though, I’d guess it would be rated a 1 or 2. I got it because it was on sale and I had a coupon, but otherwise it would be really pricy.
I’m hoping that more options become available in lower price ranges too. It seems like there are a lot more options this year than last, so maybe companies are catching on!
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Katie Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 3:30 am
Holly,
It was in our diaper bag last summer and ended up living in my van all winter. The freezing and thawing was too much – it’s totally separated and I can’t get it to go back together again. However, it remains one of my son’s favorite scents, the ingredients are good, and it went on well. I’d go for it since the price is also right! Just don’t let it freeze… 
Katie
I wanted to take a look at the Alba again before I answered your question, but I’m afraid I’ve killed it!
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We found that when we ate a very healthy diet–no sugar, lots of fresh veggies and fruits that we didn’t burn very easily. When we got lazy and ate a poor diet (over the course of several months), we did burn–OUCH!
Now we are back to a great diet and use sunscreen only when we will be in the intense sun for a long period of time. Then we only use the safe stuff. We’ll stay inside before using those strange chemicals.
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Thanks for this! I’ve often wondered about what to do about sunblock!
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This week the FDA put out new regulations for all sunscreens which will be required next June: companies will no longer be allowed to label any sun protection product as a “sunblock” regardless of ingredients. Also, SPF claims will be limited to 50 and lower and “broad spectrum” protection must be proven with data.
Please note also that all sun protection lotions and creams are required by law to have an expiration date. These dates are marked on every tube and jar, so you never need to wonder if the creams are still good.
Also, I wonder where you got your information that chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin to work? This is simply not true. The chemical based creams sit on top of your skin due to film formers in the product. Certainly some ingredients soak into your skin, but they are generally the same as are absorbed when using the mineral based creams.
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Katie Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 1:13 am
Victoria,
I saw those, although I don’t actually see the part about the word “sunblock” in the few media articles I read. They mentioned that “water resistant” and “sweatproof” will be banned on labels. Do you have a source for that one?
As for the source for how sunscreen chemicals work, see here for more: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/07/20/sun-sunscreen-skin-cancer-and-safety-how-much-do-you-need/ Looks like it was mostly the Wall Street Journal, but I usually find sources in multiple places and end up using one more heavily than others.
Thanks! Katie
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Wow, I never knew all of that. Thanks!
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