As we head into summer in the United States, the need for sunscreen rises. I wrote a post back in 2010 that gave 10 sun protection tips. Today, I want to shift the focus and provide some current thoughts on brands to consider.
Ingredients and Resources
When shopping for sunscreen, there are a lot of chemicals to avoid. A few that top the list include Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Avobenzone, Homosalate, and Octisalate.
To check your current sunscreen, visit the Environmental Working Group (EWG) sunscreen website. This site provides a 1-10 rating for each sunscreen and has a sunscreen guide available.
Brands to Consider
When looking at sunscreens, first consider the ingredients and then look for packaging that reduces or eliminates plastic.
Three brands to put on your consideration list include:
Two Peas – They have two SPF levels – 30 and 50 – are free of chemicals and biodegradable. The EWG rating is 1/Green. This is a light green option with better ingredients, but still in plastic packaging.
Solara Suncare – This is also a light green option. They have sunscreen formulas for body, face and lips. This brand is EWG verified.
Raw Elements – This plastic-free packaging alternative comes in tins and bio-resin tubes and considered dark green. There are many formulas available and the brand holds many certifications. The EWG ratings are a 1/Green with the exception of their pink shimmer lip which is a 7/Red.
DIY Green
There are recipes online to create your own sunscreen by adding non-nano zinc oxide to your favorite lotion. I’m not sure how I feel about this solution. This could be cost effective. However, there is no research to help ensure the SPF and effectiveness of these homemade alternatives.