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The End Of Summer is NOT the End of Sunscreen
Guest Blogger
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Holly Thaggard:
So, the end of summer is very nearly upon us—Labor Day is less than two weeks away, if you can believe it—and soon we’ll be packing up our straw hats and bathing suits, beach bags and flip-flops. But not, we repeat, not the sunscreen.
Never the sunscreen, people, and we’ll tell you why: excessive exposure to the sun not only causes wrinkles but increases your risk for developing skin cancer—your vulnerable face is still out there for those hardcore UV rays to shine on. And although the sun is at its least powerful in the winter months, it’s very nearly impossible to avoid all of the sun’s damaging UV rays (unless of course you live in a cave). So, you need to be vigilant in your efforts to protect your gorgeous mug for all 365 days of the year.
However, take heart: This doesn’t require an extra half hour in front of the bathroom mirror. It’s as simple as adding a quick step in your morning beauty regimen (which you should be in the habit of doing anyway after the past three months!): Cleanse first, then your sunscreen/moisturizer combo, and finally, if you choose, your makeup. It’s as easy as that.
What’s not so easy is figuring out what kind of sun protection to buy and use. There’s a lot of information in the marketplace right now and not all of it is accurate (or decipherable). And since we are commitment to protecting you and your family from both harmful skincare ingredients and the UV rays of the sun, we’ve developed a quick list for choosing the best sunscreen:
- Be wary of products claiming waterproof, hypoallergenic, eight-hour or all-day/continuous protection, and/or chemical-free (the FDA deems these claims unacceptable)
- The FDA recognizes claims that can be substantiated with numbers such as “clinically tested,” “water resistant (up to 40 minutes),” and “very water resistant (up to 80 minutes)”
- Read the ingredient list. If you see things like oxybenzone (a.k.a. benzophenone-3), methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, propylene glycol, fragrances, and dyes-Move On.
- Keep your eyes peeled for safer ingredients, such as Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or alternatively, the whole particle physical blocks titanium dioxide and zinc
- Look for SPF 30+ in combination with UVA Active Ingredients or the words “broad spectrum” to ensure protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Even better, ask your favorite brand to send you the UVA testing paperwork because in the U.S. alone, it is acceptable for any sunscreen brand to claim “broad spectrum” without having any tests to back it up
And because we like to make things as easy as possible, Supergoop! meets all of the above criterion AND we are giving sample packs to 50 new Facebook fans who tell us your preference (before Labor Day!) for SPF lip balm flavors: Mint, Vanilla, Coconut or Acai Berry
And don’t forget to check back regularly to find the latest information on UV and sun protection!
Supergoop! is a Healthy Child Trusted Partner. Our Trusted Partners go through an extensive vetting process and meet high quality standards. Read More about our Trusted Partner Program.
Find Out More:
- Only 8% of Sunscreens are Safe AND Effective
- Early Puberty: What’s the Chemical Connection
- Budget Friendly Back to School Wardrobe
Posted by ChristineKH on 09/01/2010 at 06:42 PM
I too LOVE LOVE LOVE California Baby. It is a little more expensive, but a bottle goes a long way. I don’t trust anything else!
Don’t forget about the sunglasses!!! People often don’t realize that babies need eye protection as well. Believe it or not, you can get skin cancer on your eyeball! My dermatologist found a spot on my eye, (my eyes are hazel). I had it checked out by my eye doctor. Fortunately, it was just a freckle, but I certainly learned a lesson! I bought my 4 month old son a pair of Baby Banz. People think he wears them because he looks “cool,” which he does, but I got them so his eyes would be protected from the Florida sun.
Posted by Kathy on 08/31/2010 at 04:43 AM
I have been guilty so many times of forgetting to put sunscreen on my kids when it’s not hot out or on overcast days, only to have them come home with sunburn. We live in the south, so it’s especially hot down here, but it’s important to use sunscreen all the time no matter where you live.
I’ve also recently made the switch to natural sunscreen by California Baby. I think it’s really important to make sure the stuff I’m putting on my kids skin isn’t potentially harmful. I don’t want to harm them while trying to protect them from the sun! :)
Posted by Jen H. on 08/25/2010 at 06:46 PM
The whole sunscreen thing is so confusing, especially now that it’s not only me I need to be concerned with, but my one-year-old daughter, as well. This post helped to cull a lot of info down into one concise list. Thanks!
Posted by Mirkin on 08/25/2010 at 12:00 PM
I never know what to buy at the store since there are so many options. Sunscreen is hard! It’s good to know what some of the marketing terms actually mean…water resistant = 40 min.
Posted by Dana on 08/25/2010 at 11:58 AM
Great tips! Never realized how important ingredients in sunscreen are.
Posted by Linda on 08/25/2010 at 06:00 AM
That’s good advice - a child can easily get burned in the sun, even when it doesn’t look as though it’s very sunny. Always better to play it safe with sunburn.
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Posted by Ally S. Haynesworth on 09/15/2010 at 06:58 AM
Thank you for the information provided in this blog HCHW.
It bothers me that many of the mass produced sunscreens get away with claiming all day protection or continuous protection! It is nice to see healthy child help to educate about the importance of using daily sun protection (I am a melanoma survivor at age 32) but do so while making careful ingredient choices.
I’m not fully convinced paraben-based preservative systems are dangerous in very low levels but because we now have natural preservative options to keep fungus and bacteria away from our lotions, it is nice to minimize our risks.
Unfortunately, our family has had a hard time finding a naturally preserved sunscreen that has broad-spectrum UV protection. This summer we made the switch to supergoop and while I did so to rid our home of controversial ingredients, it definitely helps that our kids love to apply it as much as they do which might make mornings as we go back to school a little easier!!