These Baby Sunscreens Actually Work Better Than Most Adult Sunscreens

by Owen James Burke

Sunscreen in the United States has always been a controversial matter.  Unlike products in Europe, the federal regulations in the States regarding what constitutes an effective sunblock are almost nonexistent, and informal at best.  According to The San Francisco Gate and The Nonprofit Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C., last year only 1 in 12 products reviewed were suitable for recommendation out of 292 national brands and 1,700 products.  Many of those sunscreens reviewed even contained harmful ingredients.

What it comes down to is not so much the SPF rating (which easily provides a false sense of security to consumers) but only two active ingredients available in the United States, which are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—both cover the entire ultraviolet spectrum (UVA and UVB), and only when the proper amount is used.  A concentration of at least 18% of one or the other is recommended for the best sun protection.

With hundreds upon hundreds of products on the shelves in the United States, it has become extremely difficult to discover which of these brands provide optimal protection.  As all ocean-going folk, we are heavily dependent on proper protection from the sun almost daily, and so we have compiled a few choice products that we can recommend based on the studies above. Some are marketed for babies. But think about it–if it’s good enough for a baby’s soft, vulnerable skin, isn’t it good enough for you?

Elemental Herbs Suscreen Sport, SPF 20 contains 25% sunscreen-grade zinc oxide, offering very broad UV protection with a soothing combination of green tea leaves, rose hips and extra virgin olive oil.

Badger Baby Unscented Sunscreen, SPF 30+ contains 18.7 % zinc oxide, which is enough to block the entire UV spectrum.

California Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30+ is hypoallergenic and uses 18% titanium dioxide.

*ewg via sfgate, nyouz*

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