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We are mid-summer and though it’s feeling unusually cool around Southwest Michigan this week, I’m betting a lot of us will still be outside enjoying the water and catching some rays this weekend. Before you lather yourself up with sunscreen. Check out this list of EWG’s best and worst sunscreens of 2018.
Remember, there really is no perfect sunscreen out there. Mineral sunscreens seem to be better at blocking the harmful UVA rays and don’t disrupt hormone levels as much as chemical sunscreens. We do need some sun for healthy vitamin D levels but after about 30 minutes in direct light be sure you find some shade or make it with an umbrella or pop up tent, wear a hat and sunglasses, avoid the most intense sun during the day, and check out the daily UV index to see if it’s safe to be outside or not.
The Best Sunscreens of 2018, Beach & Sport
All Good Sunstick, Unscented, SPF 30
Aromatica Calendula Non-Nano UV Protection, SPF 30
Attitude 100% Mineral Sunscreen, Fragrance Free, SPF 30
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen, Sensitive Skin, SPF 50
Badger Sunscreen Cream, Unscented, SPF 30
Goddess Garden Organics Everyday Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Just Skin Food Natural & Organic Sunscreen, SPF 30
Kabana Organic Skincare Green Screen Sunscreen, Neutral, SPF 31
Poofy Organics The Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
Sunology Mineral Sunscreen, Body, SPF 50
Sunology Natural Sunscreen, Face, SPF 50
Thinksport Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Waxhead Sun Defense Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30
Zeb’s Organics Sunscreen, SPF 20 & 30
The Best Sunscreens of 2018, Kid-Friendly
Adorable Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30+
All Good Kid’s Sunscreen, SPF 30
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen, Sensitive Skin, SPF 50
Badger Kids Sunscreen Cream, Tangerine & Vanilla, SPF 30
Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, Baby, SPF 50
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Baby, SPF 30+
BurnOut Kids Sunscreen, SPF 35
California Baby Calendula Sunscreen, SPF 30+
COOLA Suncare Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50
Equate Baby Zinc Sunscreen Mineral Lotion, SPF 50
Goddess Garden Organics Kids Sport Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Hawaiian Sol Sol Kid Kare, SPF 50
Kiss My Face Organics Kids Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
MDSolarSciences KidCreme Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 40
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50
Nurture My Body Baby Organic Sunscreen, SPF 32
Sunology Mineral Sunscreen, Kids, SPF 50
thinkbaby Sunscreen, SPF 50+
thinksport Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
TruBaby Water & Play Sunscreen, SPF 30+
TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30
Waxhead Sun Defense Baby Zinc Oxide Sunscreen, SPF 35
Most Toxic Sunscreens to Avoid
Children are more susceptible to certain toxic chemicals during development and because blistering sunburns early in life can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer down the line. That’s why it’s even more vital for children and babies to avoid the most toxics sunscreens. While other brands received low scores, too, here are some of the children and baby sunscreen products with the worst ratings. Note: It’s not a complete list.
Worst Sunscreens for Kids
Banana Boat Kids Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100
Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
Coppertone Water Babies Foaming Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 70
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous AccuSpray, SPF 70
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50
Coppertone Wet’n Clear Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50+
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
CVS Health Kids Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50 & 70
Equate Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Stick Sunscreen, SPF 70+
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50
And here are some of the other worst overall offenders scoring in the Red Zone (7-10) for major safety concerns:
Panama Jack Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 85
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen, SPF 60+
CVS Health Sun Lotion, SPF 60
Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Spray, SPF 15, 30 & 50
Panama Jack Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 15, 30 & 70
NO-AD Sun Care Sport Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50
Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50 & 85+
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Spray, SPF 30
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 70, 85+ & 100+
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 70, 85+ & 100+
*The full list and more information about the dangers of chemical sunscreen use can all be found on https://www.ewg.org/ or https://draxe.com/best-sunscreens/