Sunny days are here again! at Healthy Tot

So you know what that means- sunscreen! Last year I wrote a post on my venture to find a safe and effective sunblock for my fair-skinned little lady. I had read loads of reviews and articles on what was the least harmful, yet most effective choices out there. Last year I didn’t know about Skin Deep (the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetics database/guide), but have used it a ton in recent months. So I am hitting it again to check up on my sunscreen picks.

Last year we used Blue Lizard for Babies and Mustela 50SPF and so far they were pretty good picks. Mustela did make their top ten, and both ended up with 0 sun hazard but 3 chemical hazard and and overall score of 1. (you want the number to be 0,1,2 - low is good) Both of these picks contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which the EWG is skeptical of as the best, but they are still better choices than chemical sun blockers. Evidence has shown that chemical sunblocks are absorbed into the skin while mineral blockers like zinc and titanium stay atop the skin. From what I have read, some of the problems with zinc and titanium is the actual production, they have to use many chemicals to separate the particles and removing ore that are very harmful to the environment.

There is lots more somewhat complicated and in-depth scientific research and info out there that I shutter to try to explain accurately here, check out this article at Skin Deep. Best advice- hit the Top 10 list and limit sun time for you and your little ones. Reminder- keep sunscreen off the little babies (6 months or so and under), just keep them out of the sun.

See Skin Deep’s Top 10 Best Sunscreens for babies and toddlers
Dangerous sunscreen chemicals explained at The Green Guide
As usual- a good, safe, easy to find pick: California Baby (we love their bug repellant)

3 Responses to “Sunny days are here again!”

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1 Jenn
May 20th, 2008 at 9:23 pm

Thanks for doing the research for me! It makes my life so much easier to come here and get your recommendation without having to look into it myself. I appreciate it!
2 Marcy
May 21st, 2008 at 10:17 am

Great post Amy! I didn’t know that you’re not supposed to use sunscreen on infants under 6 months of age. My newborn actually got a bunch of swim suits as gifts. Do you think it’s OK to take her in the pool, even without sunscreen??
3 amy
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm

Yes- I think it’s ok to go in the pool with her. If it’s hot midday sun, greatly limit her exposure, have her wear a wide brim sun hat, and maybe try to go in just when there is some shade over the pool. In the past I have found some good 50UPF sun hats by iPlay at Target, which had nice wide brims. I haven’t checked for them yet, but I suspect they will have them again.
And kiddie pools are a good idea because you can set them up right in the shade, some even have overhead shades. Their skin is quite delicate so it can burn easily (these baby to childhood burns are what they think causes skin cancer later). Hope that helps!

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