Tracy and her son, Finn
I love being outside – all year round: hiking, biking, even just walking around town. During summer, spending late afternoons on the beach and cruising in a convertible are among my favorite activities….
As a result, I take my sunscreen very seriously. All my friends know it. If I’m not encouraging them to hydrate, then I’m reminding them to apply – and reapply! However, now that I have kids, my husband and friends are getting burned more often … I’m so focused on the kids that I’m forgetting to help “protect” all others!!
When choosing sunscreen, my m.o. is to:
– choose a high SPF (30 or higher for optimum protection from skin-burning UVB rays). Even though experts say there is little incremental difference in sun blockage after SPF 50, I do use higher SPFs (up to 70/80) for my face and chest area … every little bit helps!
– read labels for “broad spectrum” coverage and ingredients that experts/dermatologists say provide the best UVA protection (UVA rays penetrate into the dermis and can cause premature aging, and much worse!). I look for natural, physical blockers such zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, paired with chemical blockers such as avobenzone and mexoryl. (Yes, the “very green” may want to avoid the chemical ingredients, but I prefer the look and feel of the “mixed” formulas and hate the blue-white sheen the purely natural blockers can leave behind.
– look for antioxidant ingredients (such as Vitamins C and E, white or green tea). These are a “bonus” if you can find them, as I have seen studies that show antioxidants can help calm inflammation from the sun and help boost the body’s defenses against oxidative damage.
– In the past, I preferred PABA-free sunscreens, but I think most are PABA-free these days.
I have found reading EWG’s website and sunscreen report to be useful in educating myself about the many inherent category issues, but I do not just take their ratings at face value. There are so many complexities when it comes to sunscreen science and studies. I’m always amazed how multiple, seemingly-valid scientific studies can contradict each other! Ugh. It’s hard to know what studies or claims to trust these days. And it is very frustrating that the FDA hasn’t addressed this sooner, at least for the sake of clearing up consumer confusion and driving some consistency in claims and labeling.
My advice to moms:
– stay out of the sun in the height of the day, and use beach umbrellas, etc., to create shade when on the beach.
– cover up (yourself and the kids) with hats and clothes with built-in sun protection. (My kids wear long sleeve “rash guard” shirts on the beach except when it is stifling hot.)
– when choosing sunscreen for the kids, be super-prudent and stick to the natural/physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
– always apply A LOT of product as that helps ensure proper protection, and reapply often (every 2-3 hours), even if the sunscreen says it’s sweat/waterproof.
– even when not on the beach, use a daily moisturizer with UVA/UVB protection, but don’t use it at night, too … no need to load on unnecessary ingredients when there is no sun to be protected from.
At the beach
We think Tracy’s advice is smart and practical. At Practically Green we offer additional info on how to be safe in the sun. Here are some more good resources to help you find the right sunscreen for you and your family:
Conscious Consumer: 12 safe and effective sunscreens
American Academy of Dermatology
Have you found a good all-natural sunscreen? Let us know!
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1 Comment to 'Sunscreen advice for the beach lover in all of us'
June 15, 2010
When it comes to skin cancer screenings, I am all business. I am only 20 years old but I have had six moles removed suspected to have pre-cancerous cells. After pathology reviews, two of the six indeed showed pre-cancer cells. What does this mean? If the moles had not been removed, there was a risk cancer would develop years later due to age and sun exposure. The first was removed when I was seven years old; pretty scary for my mother I would imagine. Her mother had been diagnosed with Basil Cell Carcinoma at a fairly young age and therefore my mother was told that I would need cancer screenings routinely for the rest of my life. Being screened at such a young age is evidence that it doesn’t take years of thoughtless sun exposure to lead to skin cancer, it can be hereditary. I always use a face cream with at least SPF 15 and when I am in the sun for longer than 15 minutes, I apply sunscreen. I don’t apply it for everyday use because I truly believe a daily dose of sun is good for anyone, I still need my vitamin D! My grandmother who has had several surgeries to remove skin cancer from her nose always blamed her skin cancer on her summer job as a teenager. Ready for this? She worked in a DDT plant in Central Italy during WWII, where the Allied Forces relied on the Pesticide to reduce the risk of troops contracting malaria. She breathed the dust in everyday without any protection because health officials didn’t know any better. Not only is this horrifying, it is proof skin cancer can be the result of environmental toxins as well. Whether it be the sun, genetics, or environmental toxins, it is a good idea to be conscious and cautious of potential dangers when it comes to protecting your skin.
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