School is out for Summer! At least for the Rogers family, which means more fun in the sun... or kids hiding in their caves trying to avoid it. It's that time of year when many of us will begin slathering on that sunscreen to protect our skin and kiddo’s from resembling a lobster. But what if we're just trading one awful thing for another?
“Experts” tell us to slather it on, meanwhile watching the reports, skin cancer rates have shot up in the past 30 years! How can that be if we’re getting better at being “prepared”? Many commercial sunscreens have hidden carcinogens in them, making them toxic.
Scientists petitioned the FDA to remove sunscreens that contain the active ingredient octocrylene for its ability to absorb UV rays, protecting the skin from sun damage.
Products that utilize that chemical may contain benzophenone. In fact, benzophenone has been found in MANY products from sunscreen, cosmetics, and more. Which can interfere with key hormones like estrogen and reproductive organs.
In May 2021, independent lab testing found levels of another carcinogen - benzene in several products.
So what is benzene? It’s a chemical compound found in crude oil and gasoline that can be found in sunscreen, cosmetics, aspirin, and more. Studies show it can increase risk of certain cancers by 40%.
As someone who has personally been poisoned and had off the charts levels in the system of gasoline due it be hidden in cosmetics, food, plastics, etc, I can assure you, this is not a road you want to need to heal from.
Good grief, are you as overwhelmed as I am when learning this? This is just merely the tip of the iceberg, sadly corruption runs deep. Where are we supposed to turn when it seems like all these companies are poisoning us in the name of profits?
Active Ingredients to Avoid: Oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, avobenzone, octocrylene, octisalate.
Inactive Ingredients to Avoid: phenoxyethanol, parabens, pegs, propylene glycol, fragrance, ethoxylated compounds, polysorbate, retinyl palmitate, triclosan, UREA, BHT, EDTA.
Look for Mineral (Physical) sunscreen.
Active Ingredients: non nano zinc and titanium dioxide
Learning to create your own, or better yet, find moms who have already taken things into their own hands and making it happen!
Michaela, from Brae’s Butter, a Canadian mom-owned business reached out asking if I’d be open to testing her all natural sunscreen product, I’ll admit, I was nervous as we were used to using the other not so healthy sunscreens.
Turns out, not only is it made with everyday ingredients like unrefined shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado oil, rosehip oil, and more, it worked! We tested it out on the hottest, sunniest days with no issues. The sunscreen held up even on pool days which was what impressed me most. Right now she's taking orders when asked.
Mineral sunscreens don't penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream like chemical sunscreens and are much more gentle on the skin. They also don't break down as quickly like chemical sunscreens so you don't need to reapply as often.
Another brand we like is Babo Botanicals.
We personally do not wear sunscreen every time we're in the sun. If we're out for extended periods of time we use a mineral based one like Brae's Butter or Babo Botanicals, along with protective clothing, hats, and staying in the shade when possible.
List of known Benzene containing sunscreens according to Valisure:
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Babyganics Kid's Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50
Banana Boat Kids' Max Protect & Play Sunscreen, SPF 100
Banana Boat Kids' Sport Sunscreen Lotion Spray, SPF 50
Banana Boat Protective Dry Oil Clear Sunscreen Spray with Coconut Oil, SPF 15
Banana Boat Simply Protect Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50+
Banana Boat Ultra Defense Ultra Mist Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100
Banana Boat Ultra Mist Deep Tanning Oil Continuous Clear, Spray SPF4
Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100
Coppertone Whipped Sunscreen Lotion Spray, SPF 50
CVS Health 70 Beach Guard Sun Sunscreen, SPF 70 (Lotion)
CVS Health After-sun Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel
CVS Health After-sun Aloe Vera Soothing Spray
CVS Health Sheer Mist Spray Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 70
CVS Health Sport Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+
CVS Health Ulta Sheer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
CVS Health Lotion Ultra Sheer Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 45
EltaMD UV Aero Broad-Spectrum Full-Body Sunscreen Spray, SPF 45
Equate Lotion Kids Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Ethical Zinc Natural Clear Zinc Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel
Goodsense Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen Lotion Spray, SPF 60
Live Better by CVS Health Body Mineral Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50
Max Block Sport Sunscreen Lotion Water Resistance Blue, 30 SPF
Max Block Sunscreen Lotion 4 Fl Oz Broad Spectrum Water Resistant, SPF 30
Neutrogena Beach Defense Oil-Free Body Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100
Neutrogena Beach Defense Spray Body Sunscreen, SPF 50
Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport Water-Resistant Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50 and SPF 70
Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum, SPF 60+
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen, SPF 50
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum, SPF 30 Spray
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum, SPF 45 Lotion
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant Sunscreen, SPF 70
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100+
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70
Raw Elements Eco Formula Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (both tin and tube)
Solimo Sheer Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 55
Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Aloe Vera Spray
Sun Bum Cool Down Gel
Sun Bum Oxy Free Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
SunBurnt Advanced After-Sun Gel
TopCare Everyday Lotion Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
TopCare Everyday Lotion Ultimate Sheer Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 55 and SPF 70
Up & Up Clear Aloe Vera Gel
Walgreens After Sun Gel
Walgreens Sport Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 50
Walgreens Sunscreen Sport, SPF 50
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