The top 5

July 2, 2008 | Print

New Favorite Sunscreens List

Last year’s EWG Sunscreen Study gave us a chance to review our favorite sunscreens. We’ve noticed that EWG updates the list as companies introduce new products and revise old formulas to improve their effectiveness and safety.

In response to the EWG study and our own experimenting, we have a new list of favorite sunscreens. All use natural and/or organic ingredients with the full spectrum physical sunblockers zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

An added benefit for beachgoers, the zinc and titanium dioxide in these natural sunscreens are less toxic for coral reefs.

Our current sunscreen favorites:

1. Badger SPF 30 is a solid, easy to apply lotion for kids and adults. It can appear whitish on skin.

2. UV Natural Baby SPF 30 has a moisturizing feel, though some find it a bit oily. Lyndsey uses for herself and her kids. We notice kneading the tube before applying makes the lotion most effective.

3. Trukid Sunny Days Face Stick goes on smooth instead of white and chalky. Lyndsey uses the Trukid stick to apply her kids’ warrior paint. Good for touch ups at the pool.

4. Soleo Organics has a moisturizing feel, not greasy, and is waterproof for up to three hours. Knead the tube before applying.

5. Earth’s Best Baby Care Chemical-Free Sunblock is non-micronized but not too white on the skin. A good starter lotion for six month old babies (the age when doctors advise it’s safe to apply sunscreens). Not reviewed by EWG.

Honorable mentions:

Kelly still uses the non-oily Epicuren Zinc SPF 20 for her face.

California Baby SPF 30 lotions are usually available in stores and the kids like how they apply.

And, we love these Sunday Afternoons SPF Kids Sunhats.

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