Chemical Free Sunscreens
If you subscribe to my newsletter, you know that I’m a little freaked out about this chemical sunscreen thing. What chemical sunscreen thing, you ask?
Well, I’ll recap. Basically, researchers discovered that the chemicals that are in many of the sunscreens that we use are absorbed into the skin. This can happen within 24 hours of applying. So, I am in the market for the best safe, chemical-free sunscreen for kids. Our summer fun depends on it!
One researcher even stated: “When sunscreens were first evaluated by the FDA back in the ’70s, we all thought the ingredients sat on the surface of the skin and didn’t do anything,” says Dr. Theresa Michele, director of the division of nonprescription drug products in the office of new drugs at the Center for Drug Evaluation Research at the FDA. “But we’ve learned over the years that’s not actually the case, so we started looking at them more closely.”
What Sunscreens are Safe for Kids?
And today, doctors from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia said this: Pediatricians and dermatologists recommend using physical or mineral sunscreens (those with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) with young children and anyone with dry skin or eczema. They also caution against using spray-application sunscreen, which might be inhaled.
As with anything, I am not a doctor nor do I play one on the internet. If you have concerns about your sunscreen, talk with your child’s pediatrician. I bet many moms already use natural and organic sunscreen because their kids have sensitive skin, skin allergies or eczema.
Chemical Free Sunscreen
The following brands of sunscreen have options that are mineral-based. I am no longer buying chemical-based sun protection. There are other precautions like wearing hats, SPF shirts and staying out of the sun during prime hours.
Other dangers of chemical sunscreen
If the CHOP doctors don’t convince you to switch to mineral sunscreen, maybe this will.
- Key West is banning sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate due to the damage they’ve caused to coral reefs and ocean life.
- Hawaii has banned the same chemicals for the same reasons.
- Other countries including Palau, Mexico and Bonaire are doing the same.
- Some of these chemicals are known hormone/endocrine disruptors.( Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can interfere with endocrine systems at certain doses. These disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders. wiki )
- These active sunscreen chemicals have not been studied much, if at all.
- Many of our kids are medically complex, medically fragile, have different genetic makeup than the general public, and are on multiple medications. Is it dangerous? We just don’t know.
- 🙌WORKS WITH our Vitamin E Skincare System - serum, eye cream, moisturizer, exfoliator scrub, cleanser
- 👀UVA & UVB PROTECTION while reducing the appearance of aging with Antioxidants and Vitamins E & B5.
- 💄Lightweight, MINERAL based creams with a matte feel means you can wear everyday under makeup.
- ☀️NANOPARTICLE free, 13% Zinc Oxide & 4% Titanium Dioxide prevents sun damage & helps with Melasma.
- 🐇Non GMO, CHEMICAL FREE, cruelty free, organic, natural & MADE IN THE USA in small batches by hand.
- 🙌WORKS WITH our Vitamin E Skincare System - serum, eye cream, moisturizer, exfoliator scrub, cleanser
- 👀UVA & UVB PROTECTION while reducing the appearance of aging with Antioxidants and Vitamins E & B5.
- 💄Lightweight, MINERAL based creams with a matte feel means you can wear everyday under makeup.
- ☀️NANOPARTICLE free, 13% Zinc Oxide & 4% Titanium Dioxide prevents sun damage & helps with Melasma.
- 🐇Non GMO, CHEMICAL FREE, cruelty free, organic, natural & MADE IN THE USA in small batches by hand.
- ANTI AGING ALL NATURAL SUNSCREEN: 10% Zinc Oxide & 5.5% Titanium Dioxide minerals offer the best natural sun protection for your skin. It is crucial which sun block you put on your body and face. Reflect Broad-spectrum SPF 45 will protect from damaging UVA and UVB sun rays and protect sensitive skin against early signs of aging.
- BABY AND TODDLER SUNSCREEN: Safe and Effective Gender Neutral Unisex Sun Block for All Skin Types and Ages (6 month infant & Up). It is also pregnancy and breastfeeding safe.
- ZINC OXIDE: Particles in Reflect 45 blend with your skin, offering better sun protection, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. Most sunscreens on the market leave white residue or start rolling into small balls. This will not happen with proper amount and application of Reflect 45. This physical, mineral sunscreen is a scientifically-proven, medical-grade, skincare formula.
- GENTLE ON SENSITIVE SKIN: Non-comedogenic - it will not clog your pores! Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Fragrance Free, Oil Free, Chemical Free, Gluten Free, Breastfeeding safe, PABA Free, Phthalate Free, Oxybenzone Free, Octisalate Free, Octocrylene Free, Homosalate Free, Octinoxate Free, Avobenzone Free, Phthalate Free and Reef-Friendly. Not tested on animals / Cruelty Free.
- DERMATOLOGIST, PLASTIC SURGEON & PEDIATRICIAN APPROVED: Oil-free clear facial sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, pediatricians and aestheticians because it helps calm and protect sensitive skin types prone to acne, rosacea and discoloration. This product is the most ideal post-procedure sunscreen. It is mineral based face sunscreen which is silky, lightweight and sits on your skin beautifully.
- 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡: Two Peas Organics all-natural sunscreen uses highly effective plant derived and certified organic ingredients.
- 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗨𝗟 𝗦𝗨𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Provides highly effective SPF 50 broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection that is both water and sweat resistant. Gentle enough for baby’s sensitive skin yet strong enough coverage for kids and adults.
- 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗙 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘: We care deeply about our oceans and environment, so our products and ingredients are always biodegradable and coral reef friendly.
- 𝗡𝗢 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 & 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘: Fragrance free formula that is gentle on your skin and free from all chemicals found in most sunscreens making it ideal for delicate or sensitive skin. Note that natural oils and organic ingredients separate, so massage the tube to mix ingredients before application.
- 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 / 𝗭𝗜𝗡𝗖 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡: Extra thick formula with 25% Zinc Oxide helps to prevent sunburns and help decrease the risk of skin damage and early skin aging caused by the sun. Leaves a thin white layer allowing you to see where you’re covered.
- 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡: Two Peas Organics all natural sunscreen uses highly effective plant derived and certified organic ingredients to provide superior sun protection that is biodegradable and coral reef safe.
- 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗨𝗟 𝗦𝗨𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Provides reliable SPF 30 broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection. Gentle enough for babies sensitive skin yet strong enough coverage for kids and adults.
- 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 / 𝗭𝗜𝗡𝗖 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡: Extra thick formula with 20% Zinc Oxide helps to prevent sunburns and help decrease the risk of skin damage and early skin aging caused by the sun. Leaves a thin white layer allowing you to see where you’re covered.
- 𝗡𝗢 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 & 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘: Fragrance free formula that is gentle on your skin and free from all chemicals found in most sunscreens making it ideal for delicate or sensitive skin. Note that natural oils and organic ingredients separate, so massage the tube to mix ingredients before application.
- 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧: Industry leading water and sweat resistance for up to 80 minutes of sun protection. Our 3oz travel friendly sunscreen goes on easy leaving your skin feeling smooth and protected.
What sunscreen chemicals to avoid?
According to the website BanToxicSunscreens, these are the chemicals they say you should avoid. I’ve only read up on a few of them, but I am not using any sunscreen for my kids if it contains these chemicals. Especially Kevin, since he is on multiple medications for his seizure disorder.
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- Octisalate
- Avobenzone
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Cocamide DEA
- Propylene Glycol
- Phenoxyethanol
- Nano-Particles
- Fragrance
For now, I have purchased the Sun Bum and Bare Republic sunscreens for our family. I also have ordered us new hats and SPF shirts from Lands End. Happy Summer!
When you purchase items from Amazon from this site, I receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting A Day in our Shoes.
