Switch to all-natural sunscreen by Estelle Hayes

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Just when I thought I could not become any more obsessive about the perils of sun damage, I went and birthed a redheaded baby. I’ve been hoarding tiny hats while frantically applying SPF to my daughter in hopes that I may prolong the health and beauty of her fair skin. I also often pray that she never worship the sun like her misguided mother. Learning the hard way that there is no activity less useful than “laying out” is a life-lesson best avoided.

In addition to worrying about skin cancer and premature aging, I’m also obsessively trying to eliminate parabens, nano-particles, synthetic fragrances and any other unnecessary toxins from my family’s life. So far, I’ve found a few sunscreens worth investing in this season.

I’ve been a big fan of all things California Baby throughout my daughter’s life. Their sunscreen is the only thing I would slather over her deliciously pink skin in those first few months. I didn’t mind that it was hard to rub in (a common complaint) and I soon started using it for myself. It’s SPF 30 and has done a great job protecting our skin on trips to the beach and daily walks around town. It can leave a slightly white and glossy film. This doesn’t really bother me but Emerson has started to fight me when I attempt to rub it in for more than 30 seconds or so. Side note: If you are a parent to a bossy toddler, than you may also be familiar with the concept of picking one’s battles.

Enter Alba Botanica’s kids’ sunscreen in SPF 45. Again, I use it for myself as well. Our skin seems to absorb this a bit easier and the coverage served my family well on a recent beach outing. i.e. no glossy white glow, no burning and no meltdowns over excessive rubbing. However, I didn’t read the ingredients closely and bought a tube that included fragrance. This always bums me out. I just don’t want to smell like anything. Period. The website shows a mineral version that is fragrance free. I’ll try this next time.

I plan on picking up Badger’s kids’ sunscreen on my next trip to Whole Foods {or buy it here at Practically Green!}. Full disclosure: I have yet to try a Badger product but I hear only good things about the company and the quality of ingredients they use in their formulations.

{Editor’s note: Personally going to grab this organic Bali Balm!! Partial ingredients list: Evoo, cocoa butter, shea butter, beeswax, ylang ylang – and certified organic!}

All three of these sunscreens received scores of one or two (that’s a good thing) on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. Skin Deep is a great place to start investigating the safety of your personal care products. I’d love to hear if you have found an effective sunscreen. Do share.

Our guest blogger Estelle Hayes lives in Silicon Valley where she blogs at www.underapinkmoon.com. She’s also published regularly on Huffington Post.