Lifestyle / Sunscreen Choices for the Family

Sunscreen Choices for the Family

Lifestyle Jun 19, 2015

by Hillary Di Menna

Not applying sunscreen may seem like an okay idea if you don’t burn. What’s the point of dealing with that goopy stuff and adding that extra step while you're getting ready if you don’t need it? The truth is, we all need to wear sunscreen, whether we burn or not. And not only on sunny days. UV rays can hurt us even on cloudy days. This is why the Skin Cancer Foundation says everyone over the age of six months old should be wearing sunscreen daily.

The damage from UVB rays is quick and is often seen quickly. UVB rays damage skin cells; making them the main cause of sunburns and, worse, skin cancer. UVA rays act slower and their consequences may not be as obvious because they don't necessarily cause sunburns, but they cause damage by penetrating deep into the skin.

Photo from UC San Francisco

It's clear we need to be wearing sunscreen, now it's a matter of deciding between physical (also known as natural) or chemical sunscreen. Physical sunscreen protects the skin by sitting on top of it. Unlike chemical sunscreen, there is no need to wait for your skin to absorb natural sunscreen. You can put it on and go outside right away. Since it's less absorbent, you may not find physical sunscreen to be the most aesthetically pleasing. The zinc in this type of sunscreen may also give it a chalky texture. Physical sunscreen is ideal for sensitive skin, as it is less irritating.

Chemical sunscreen absorbs into the skin but there is a 20-minute waiting period between application and sun exposure to ensure it works. Chemical sunscreen works by absorbing UV rays and turning them into harmless heat. These on-the-shelf sunscreens don't come without cons. Many chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like cinnamate, benzophenone, camphor derivatives and parabens. These ingredients absorb easily and may interfere with our hormones. The fragrances, preservatives and moisturizers in a lot of these sunscreens may also contain harmful ingredients like oxybenzone. According to the Environmental Working Group, oxybenzone can affect the cells in our bodies.

The EWG has an updated list of 217 sunscreens that are safe for your family, including Babyganics Mineral Based Sunscreen Lotion and Dr. Mercola Sunscreen. Some of the least safe sunscreens are Banana Boat and Coppertone.

When deciding on a sunscreen, check the sun protection factor (SPF) level and which UV rays it protects against. In addition to sunscreen, the right accessories are not only stylish but also protective. Wear your sunglasses at all times and a hat is always a safe bet. Enjoy the sun but make sure to rest in the shade as well. Also try to go out when the sun is lower in the sky, like early in the morning or after four in the afternoon.

What are your sun protection tips? Let us know in the comments section.

_{Feature image provided by the National Post.}

Hillary Di Menna

Author

Hillary Di Menna is a freelance journalist who manages to publish her scribblings while raising a six-year-old skateboarding ballerina and sharing her home with two snuggly black cats. Her parenting blog, Misfit Matriarch, follow her adventures in parenting. You can find all her work at

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Sunscreen Choices for the Family

by Hillary Di Menna

Hillary Di Menna

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