Sunscreen! Sunscreen! We all scream without Sunscreen!

It's that time of year again, and as the weather gets warmer we need to make sure we have  good sunscreen for ourselves and especially for our kids.  I don't know about you but this used to be such a chore for me.  I dreaded shopping for sunscreen.  It's so confusing and there are so many choices.  This was the case until I knew what I was looking for and what I wanted to avoid.  The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just put out their 2012 report on sunscreen.  It is full of information regarding higher SPF vs lower SPF, the importance of vitamin D and watching out for toxic chemicals that do more harm than good to your skin.

Here are some things to consider when sunscreen shopping:

• A little sun is good for you.  So good for you.  Wait at least 10-20 minutes before applying sunscreen.  It is one of the ways to get a good dose of Vitamin D.
• Higher SPF does not necessarily provide you better coverage.  We tend to be a little more careless when we apply a higher SPF.  We don't reapply as often as when we wear a lower SPF and tend to stay out in the sun longer.  Plus the higher the SPF the more increased exposure you have to hazardous ingredients on your skin.
• Beware of spray sunscreen, there is the potential for inhalation of spray ingredients that can be toxic and harmful.  There are some good ones if you prefer the spray kind.
• You don't want Vitamin A also known as retinal palmitate in your sunscreen.  I know that sounds crazy but retinal palmitate is thought to spread the development of skin tumors when in the presence of sunlight.(more info) 

Here is a review on some I have at home and if you click on the name it will take you to EWG's rating of this product and break down of the ingredients in the product:

 

Alba Botanica

This sunblock is light in consistency and blends right in.  There is no fragrance in this product and it doesn't smell funny.

 

Badger All Natural Sunscreen SPF 15

A little thicker in consistency but it blends right in and has a nice light scent.

 Kiss My Face Natural Mineral Sunblock for Kids

Even though this was light in consistency it was not as easy to blend in.  It is fragrance-free but it had a slight unpleasant odor.  Not a favorite but we used it.  

There are some good Coppertone ones on the list and you can find good sunscreen at your local health food store and Target or online.  So please check your sunscreen against EWG's website and see if it is safe to use.  If you need to go buy some here is their list of the best and safest sunscreens out on the market.  And always check with your doctor especially if you have sensitive skin.

Skin Deep...What's in your skin care products?

And therefore on your face and in the layers of your skin. Yikes!  I know.  Not another thing to worry about.  But ignorance is not bliss my friends.  I did this myself a couple of years ago.   I checked my cosmetics and toiletries on EWG.COM to see how they scored.  EWG's Skin Deep is an online safety guide for cosmetics and personal care products, launched in 2004 to help people find safer products, with fewer ingredients that are hazardous or that haven't been thoroughly tested. Skin Deep combines product ingredient lists with information in more than 50 standard toxicity and regulatory databases. The database provides easy-to-navigate safety ratings for thousands of personal care products.   I came up with the sad realization that I had to get rid of some of my favorite things.  As a former professional make up artist and licensed esthetician, this was not easy to do.    But I know that what we place on our skin travels deep, and if I was going to make a conscious effort to go green, watch what I eat and change my lifestyle.  I had to do this too.  So go grab some of your and toiletries and head to your computer to check out how your favorite products score.  Here's an example of one of the products I currently have.  To show you how it works.   My shampoo scored a 4.  (0 being the safest and 10 being the most hazardous).  4 is considered Moderate Hazard. Hmmmm....not the worst but not the best I could do.

By Organix

Health concerns of ingredients
Overall Hazard
Cancer
Developmental & reproductive toxicity
Allergies & immunotoxicity
Use restrictions

It will go on to give you much more information and break down the ingredients for you and score each one.   Please don't get overwhelmed if your products do not fare too well.  Change the items you need to as you start run out.  Start by switching the highest scored ones.  I know this can be costly.  If you can't afford to go completely organic and non toxic on all your products.  You can change to something with a lower score.  Consider how many products you use everyday, any changes you make will be for the better.  I hope this was helpful for you as it was for me.  I have to go now.  Gotta go buy some new shampoo.  See you later!

Awesome youtube video that breaks it down for you: YouTube/storyofcosmetics

More Info: http://safecosmetics.org/
http://www.organicconsumers.org


You can find some great products and cosmetics at the following links too:
http://josiemarancosmetics.com/,
kissmyface.com,
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/,
http://www.physiciansformula.com