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Now that it’s getting closer to summer, I need to buy a new sunscreen. Generally we never use sunscreen. However, when my kids are outside all day in the hot sun we do put some on. There is no way they would not get burnt otherwise.
I need to buy new sunscreen this year, as I am now getting crunchy and since my old sunscreen really should not be used as it’s from last year.
The Problems with Most Sunscreens
However, sunscreen seems is very un-natural; not crunchy! Most sunscreens are full of parabens, phthalates, and PEG’s.
Most also contain synthetic oxybenzone which is an endocrine disruptor and can effect the nervous system. It also releases free-radicals when exposed to the sun which are harmful.
The newest concern about sunscreens is the vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) that most companies put in. The FDA has recently found that retinyl palmitate may speed up the growth of skin lesions and tumors. Yikes! Isn’t that what we are trying to avoid by wearing sunscreen?!
How to Find a Natural Sunscreen
Finding a natural sunscreen sounds like a lot of work so I’m very thankfully that the lovely people at EWG have taken the time to do the research for me!
EWG puts out a sunscreen cheat sheet every year that has the safest sunscreens. They also include their personal reviews of the sunscreens as well as the price of them.
Very nice when you want to buy a natural sunscreen but you don’t want to waste money on one that you will hate.
If you are curious as to what we use… I usually opt for Badger Sunscreen as it rates a nice safe “1” on EWG’s lists.
For the DIY lovers out there, I also have a great DIY sunscreen that is the World’s Easiest Sunscreen to make!
