I have a devil of a time finding great sunscreen. Either it goes on white and I look like a total clown, or it goes on greasy and it stings like the devil when it gets in my eyes. But it doesn’t stop there. In my search for a safe sunscreen, I’ve been making myself completely crazy getting caught up in the research on sunscreens and the intricacies of formulations and ingredients. So, in between all my daily tasks as mom and CEO of my own social media company, I put my dormant pre-med education to work and came up with handy-dandy guide that I hope will be your go-to for safe sunscreen shopping.

Yep, we’ve heard all about it
By now, most of us know that many big brand, drugstore variety sunscreens contain potentially toxic chemicals that are absorbed into the bloodstream, break down in the sun and offer far less protection than their labels declare. Until FDA strengthens and finalizes the sunscreen safety standards first drafted 31 years ago, you can’t be confident that products on store shelves are safe and effective for you and your family.

How not to get melanoma (skin cancer)

Most people believe that sun exposure causes cancer. The real truth is that your body needs a bit of unprotected sun exposure to make Vitamin D, which has been shown to protect against as many as sixteen different types of cancer, including breast, colon, and prostate.

Here’s what you need to know: PROPER sun exposure protects you from many deadly cancers, while IMPROPER sun exposure contributes to skin cancer.

Let’s examine this a little more closely:

• Evidence has shown that sunburn in conjunction with excess omega-6 fats increases your risk of skin cancer - so go get yourself some high quality fish oil supplements and clean up your diet to include more omega-3 fats.
• Exercise caution and limit your sun exposure so you never get burned
  • Use protective clothing to block the sun
  • Increase your exposure gradually so you can stay out longer and do not burn
• If you want to take Vitamin D supplements for cancer protection, then you should know that the Vitamin D in milk and most vitamins is D2, which is synthetic. The best Vitamin D to supplement with is D3 or cholecalciferol (I’ll be writing more about this soon!)

Little chemical scary monsters
Let’s take a look at two of the most common and most frightening ingredients in about 90% of sunscreen brands.

• Octyl methoxycinnamate - OMC for short. This is a UVB filter that has been found to kill mouse cells even at low doses. It was also shown to be particularly toxic when exposed to sunshine.
• Dioxybenzone and oxybenzone - these toxic chemicals have been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, as well as low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy.

In addition to these two, many other toxic chemicals have been found in sunscreens that are supposed to “protect” us. Check the labels on your sunscreens and toss them in the trash if they contain any of these questionable chemicals:

• Benzophenones (dixoybenzone, oxybenzone)
• PABA and PABA esters (ethyl dihydroxy propyl PAB, glyceryl PABA,
• p-aminobenzoic acid padimate O or Octyl dimethyl PABA
• Cinnamates (cinoxate, ethylhexyl, p-methoxycinnamate)
• Salicylates (ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, octyl salicylate)
• Avobenzone (butyl-methyoxydibenzoylmethane; Parsol 1789)
• Digalloyl trioleate
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Propylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol: Called a humectant in cosmetics, this is industrial antifreeze and can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Safe Sunscreens
For the times we need to use sunscreen to handle more intense sun exposure like a day at the beach, I highly recommend you switch to a formula that is safe and healthy for your skin. Enter the Environmental Working Group and Skin Deep, where they have detailed the safety and effectiveness of over 1500 sunscreen products. Last updated in July 2009, they found that 3 out of 5 products actually provide inadequate protection from the sun, and that many leading brands you'll find lining the shelves at your local drugstore fail to meet its overall criteria for safety and effectiveness. Who are the worst offenders? Coppertone Water Babies, Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat and CVS to name a few.

The SFP debate
People buy high-SPF assuming they've purchased products that maximize sun protection, and trust that the claims on the bottle will ensure they are protected. Nothing could be less certain. The Environmental Working Group found 57 sunscreens claiming SPFs from 55-100+ that might tempt you to stay out longer in the sun, but they block just 1 to 2% more sunburn rays than an SPF 30 sunscreen. So don’t be fooled into wasting your money there.

My budget-friendly, toxin-free sunscreen recommendations
But seriously, all we busy moms want to know is which one to buy – which ones work and which ones don’t cost an arm and a leg.

While nirvana would be a good, nasty-chemical-free sunscreen that isn't greasy and doesn't leave that zinc oxide white sheen on your skin, I haven’t found it yet. Here are the next best things - all have a rating of 1 on the Skin Deep database and will cost you less than $20.

• TruKid Sunny Days Facestick SPF30+ Mineral Sunscreen – this is UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, and it totally rocks. It is easy to apply, I can use it on the kids, and I can wear it under my makeup - $9 online.
• California Baby - SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick, No Fragrance - This is a somewhat dry stick, but it won’t smear into eyes and is easy to apply to just where you want it. $15 online and in stores.
• Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen - VERY water resistant, but really greasy. I love this one, but you usually have to rub it in a second time about 10 minutes after you apply it, and then you’re good. $16 online and in stores.
• Solbar Shield Sunscreen SPF40 with broad spectrum protection - Another great option- $11 online and at Amazon.com
• Elemental Herbs Sunscreen Sport SPF20 – Super sunscreen and a great sporty brand that stays put. There are versions for kids and with a tint. $9 at elementalherbs.com.
• Mexitan SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion - I am pretty sure this is the one mercola.com is marketing as theirs, and that guy does his research. $20 at amazon.com.

For the heartier souls out there who want to go choose their own sunscreen this is how I usually go about it myself

1. Find a natural block – I prefer zinc oxide, as it provides a physical barrier, reflecting damaging UVB and UVA rays before they reach the living tissues in your skin. There is some controversy over titanium dioxide as it is a known photosensitizer – it is absorbed by the skin and creates free radicals in the presence of light.
2. Make sure it doesn’t contain a whole host of other chemical ingredients that are known to be harmful.
3. Make sure it doesn't contain micronized ingredients (this is a confusing sunblock issue and too detailed to go into here). One simple test is that non-micronized natural blocks go on white and thick, not clear.
4. Look it up in the SkinDeep database and see where it falls.

What about you Pinkies? Other ideas or recommendations? Were you worried about safe sunscreen, and are you ready now for some fun in the sun? Let us know.

Donning my shades,
Robeen