The Best Sunscreen is the Safest

It’s tricky. I end up getting seriously strange looks.

I’m often asked which is the best sunscreen. It’s a fair enough question. But, sunscreen and sunblock are mostly full of nasty ingredients.

So I don’t buy them.

And when I explain that. people look at me in horror.  (I can see the un-asked question in their eyes – do you live in a cave?).

So I explain that there are 3 choices.

  1. Make your own sunscreen – it’s super-simple, saves you money, and you know it’s safe. Here’s how.
  2. Buy a safe sunscreen – well, perhaps “less toxic” is a better phrase – see below.
  3. Build up your exposure by gradually spending a little more time in the sun each day, without using sunscreen.  See why, here.

Least Toxic Sunscreen

Sunscreens and sunblock mostly contain fairly nasty ingredients.

But how can you know which are the least toxic?

Use my recommendation below, or use the EWG database (see below) to check the toxicity of the product or brand that you like.

A Good Sunscreen

3rd rock sunblockThis product scores a wonderful 1 on the EWG sunscreen database. (1 is the best possible safety score on EWG).

Products that score 1 or 2 are colored green on EWG and are generally OK to use. (Serious nasties are rated 10 and colored red).

3rd Rock Sunblock Sunscreen Lotion, Unscented, SPF 35 is hypoallergenic, meaning it’s suitable for all skin types. The ingredients are mostly natural and safe.

It contains zinc, so when you apply it, you’ll see a slight white tint on your skin, but it does fade.

The manufacturer rates it as safe for 80 minutes in the water, so re-apply after that time.

It doesn’t feel greasy which is great, and apparently it doesn’t damage corals.

Even more impressively, it’s cruelty free – certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny. Cool!

This is my recommended sunscreen.

What If I Have a Favorite Brand?

The EWG Database is a fabulous resource! You can use it to check out the safety (toxicity) of your favourite sunscreen brands. And then if you discover you’re not happy with your current brand, choose my recommendation above, or search for another safe product.

Go here to search EWG.

The Best Sunscreen Advice

The very best sunscreen is a hat and a shirt.  Yes, it’s true!  

Wear Clothes – Shirts, hats, shorts and trousers or pants shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays.  A long-sleeved shirt is a good start, preferably pure cotton.  A wide-brimmed hat is a great idea.  Loose-fitting clothes protect you but don’t make you hot.

Remember Sunglasses – they protect your eyes from UV radiation, a cause of cataracts.

Be Shady – picnic under a tree, read beneath an umbrella, take a canopy to the beach.  Keep infants in the shade – they lack tanning pigments (melanin) to protect their skin.

Don’t be a Mad Dog! – According to Noel Coward, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.  UV radiation peaks at midday, when the sun is highest.   Sun-tan in the early morning or late afternoon.

Start Gradually – there is some evidence to suggest that if you live in a winter climate which gets little sun, a gradual re-introduction to sunlight and warmth is beneficial – a few minutes or so a day without sunscreen may benefit you when it is time for a summer holiday with lots of sun.

Use these tips as your first defence.  Then, consider sunscreen if will spend a longer time in the sun.

These 10 tips will help you to choose the best one for you:

Tips for Choosing the Best Sunscreen

  1. Avoid sunscreens that contain vitamin A (often listed in the ingredients as retinyl palmitate or retinol).
  2. Avoid sunscreen containing oxybenzone or 4-MBC (Methylbenzylidene camphor) – these are known hormone disruptors.
  3. Choose lotions instead of sprays or powders.   Why?  Sprays and powders put sunscreen in the air, meaning you can breathe it into you – not all ingredients are tested for ingestion.
  4. Ensure your chosen sunscreen protects you from UVA and UVB rays.Sunscreen bottle
  5. Check your preferred brand on EWG’s searchable database of best brands.   Your preferred brand should ideally have a green symbol next to it.  (Note: if you live outside the US, you may not find your favourite brands listed here.  Also, EWG do not take animal testing into account in their ratings).
  6. Apply sunscreen properly – most people apply too little, and don’t re-apply often enough.  Always re-apply after you sweat, swim or towel.
  7. Consider avoiding sunscreens containing mineral oil (also known as adepsine oil, lignite oil, petrolatum, albolene, paraffin oil, white oil, drakeol, mineral seal oil, and baby oil) as it is a carcinogen (cancer-producing agent) according to the WHO (World Health Organization) in its industrial form, although it is approved for use in cosmetics in many countries.
  8. Don’t rely too much on manufacturers’ claims of SPFs – according to the FDA and EWG, many of these claims are misleading – partly because people trust them too much and spend too long in the sun.  Also, higher SPF products have higher levels of active ingredients which are not all good for your health, and the ratings are often based on the premise that people use more sunscreen than they do in reality.   EWG suggest using an SPF 30 instead of a 70, for example.
  9. Look for eco-friendly products – for example, those with recycled and recyclable packaging, and bio-degradable ingredients.
  10. If you feel yourself starting to burn, go indoors – you have stayed out too long already!

More Tips:

Are you getting enough?

What does SPF really mean? Sunblock vs.  sunscreen? And are sunscreens safe? Your questions answered.

The safest sunscreen is the super-simple one you pour yourself!

 


Tags

best sunblock, best sunscreen, chemical sunscreen, mineral sunscreen, natural sunscreen, spf


  • Clare. thanks for sharing the best ecofriendly sun screens and the advice.
    Scott Sylvan Bell

  • These are some really good tips for people in the sun, not only those that sun-bathe but also those hard working folks like the people at AllAces Plumbing! 🙂

    Thanks for the Info!

  • Here in Oz you need to be sun smart as the UV rays can get ballistic . More and more people now slip , slap and slop . Slip on a shirt , slap on some suncream and slop on a hat .

  • Great tips as usual from Clare. Those of us who are exposed due to our work really also should take more care. If I can get my tongue around the chemical names I will try to check what goes in to the sunscreen I use normally.

  • Great advice Claire. I myself just avoid the sun at certain times of the day. Luckily, I have that luxury. Others don’t so your advice is especially important!

    Anthony

  • Usually following “shady” advice will get you burned, this time it’s the other way around. Thanks Clare.

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