Archive for the 'Sunscreen' Category

Vitamin D

Published
by
Albert
on October 13, 2008
in Sunscreen, eating and healthy ideas
. Closed

I just read an article about vitamin D and how the American Association of Pediatrics has doubled the recommended daily amount of it from 200iu to 400iu. It’s a good article and definitely worth checking out:

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/13/AR2008101300995.html

Vitamin D sources include cod liver oil, milk, and can also be created by human bodies when exposed to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight has its own problems, so most people these days take supplements.

Sunny days are here again!

Published
by
amy
on May 20, 2008
in Sunscreen, healthy ideas and safe products
. 3 Comments

calbaby.jpegSo 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)