It’s that time of the year that I receive an influx of sunscreen questions so I thought I would share the best and worst sunscreens including my personal favorites. Last summer the Environmental Working Group found that nearly 70% of the 650 sunscreens they tested were harmful or ineffective. They offered inferior sun protection or contained harmful ingredients like oxybenzone, a hormone disruptor, or retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A that may harm skin.
Most sunscreens are filled with these toxins:
-Oxybenzone, which is linked to hormone disruption and cell damage that may lead to skin cancer.
-Retinyl palmitate, which has now been proven to be a carcinogen.
-Octyl-methoxycinnamate causes oxidation damage of the skin, which means aging
-Butyl-Methdiebenzoylmethane, releases free radicals into the body.
-Benzophenone 2 (BP2), decreases the function of the thyroid, in a population that is already seriously suffering from hypothyroidism (under active).
Some facts to help you move in the right direction:
-The common sunscreen additive vitamin A speeds development of skin cancer. Studies by federal government scientists indicate that it may trigger development of skin tumors and lesions when used on skin in the presence of sunlight. Avoid vitamin A or retinyl palmitate, which is also called retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate and retinol.
–. Sunscreen ingredients soak through skin and can be detected in people’s blood, urine and even mothers’ breast milk. Several commonly used ingredients appear to block or mimic hormones, and others cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin.
– You don’t need anything higher than SPF 50. Higher SPF ratings don’t necessarily offer greater protection from UV-related skin damage, especially UVA damage, and may lead users to apply too little thinking they’re getting a lot of protection or spend too much time in the sun. The FDA has proposed banning them
-Majority of people don’t apply enough sunscreen and don’t reapply enough times then complained of getting burned
-Spray sunscreens can be inhaled and the EWG does not recommend them
These are EWG’s worst sunscreens followed by the best.
EWG’s WORST SUNSCREENS
Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous AccuSpray, SPF 70
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
Coppertone Water Babies Foaming Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 70
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+
Equate Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Panama Jack Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 85
EWG’s Best Face Moisturizers with SPF
Juice Beauty Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30
Juice Beauty Tinted Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30
Soleil Toujours Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer, SPF 20
Kari Gran Three Sixty Five SPF 28
Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream, Fair/Light, SPF 40
EWG’s Best Beach and Sport Sunscreens
EWG’s Best Scoring Sunscreens for Kids
Badger Kids Sunscreen Cream, Tangerine & Vanilla, SPF 30
Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, Baby, SPF 50
California Baby Calendula Sunscreen, SPF 30+
COOLA Suncare Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50
Goddess Garden Organics Kids Sport Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Kiss My Face Organics Kids Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
h o w E W G r a t e s s u n s c r e e n s
The organization rates each sunscreen on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being safe and 10 being dangerous. It grades each product on five criteria:
- Health hazards (such as if it has an ingredient that’s considered dangerous)
- UVB protection
- UVA protection
- The ratio of UVA absorbance to SPF
- How long-lasting the sunscreen is
MY PERSONAL FAVORITES
Check out my full guide to clean sunscreens here.
I love the SPF 30 Natural BB Cream by Coola in both unscented and cucumber. It goes on matte and has this amazing texture that feels lightweight and airy. Naturisimo is an online store that carries Coola and ships worldwide free if you are outside the US.
Truly one of the cleanest sunscreen lines, Raw Elements uses 23% zinc oxide (whereas many other organic sunscreens will only use as a little as 8%-15% and still say they’re SPF 30) and their first ingredients are organic black and green tea extracts and nourishing organic butters.
-My favorite out of their line is the Tint SPF 30 Facial Moisturizer (it may be too rich for some) and then 2nd favorite is the ECO 30 in a jar.
-Their sticks are a tad too dry incuding the lip balms
-The tube is great at first but later becomes difficult to get all the remaining product out
-This line has a strong hemp scent which is a pro or con depending on your personal taste
Check out what the OBL CLUB who tested Raw Elements as part of our product testing campaign! Hit the tab labeled “SUNSCREEN”
Affiliate code OBL saves at Raw Elements. (This line is only available in the US)
Using 20% zinc oxide, natural pigments and organic active botanicals the W3ll People Bio Tint Spf 30 tinted moisturizer applies beautifully and feels great on my skin. The light shade looks very natural on me and I like that it has a pump.so it dispenses the right amount each time.
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Andrea is a clean beauty expert from Los Angeles, California with 10 years of experience in natural skincare and organic living. She writes for Organic Beauty Lover using her expertise to guide readers in choosing the best clean products. Andrea graduated from the University of Southern California in 2012 and has worked at multiple skincare companies, big and small. Connect with her @organicbeautylover.
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