Summer is here! And so is the sun. This is a quick reminder that before you buy sunblock, check for its safety on EWG’s cosmetics database. I especially like their best sunblock list.
Some of the best sunblocks use physical blocks, such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide, to prevent penetration of all the sun’s rays, as opposed to chemicals to filter them out. Also look for avobenzone, or parsol 1789, which filters out UVA and UVB. I have tried several sunblocks with high safety ratings on this site, but this summer my current favorites are Badger Sunscreen (with 20% zinc oxide!), Blue Lizard Suncream, and AlbaBotanica’s Suncare Sport Sunscreen (one of the safer sunscreens that’s actually less expensive). If you’re shopping in a mainstream grocery store and can’t find some of the sunblocks on the list, look for Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunblock SPF 45. It’s a great sunblock with a safety rating of 2.
A friend of mine has also turned me onto the power of hats! I love not having to worry about my ears or scalp or really lathering up my face because I’m wearing a wide brim hat instead. Coolibar has an especially nice selection of children’s hats, especially waterproof pool hats like this infant one, or this boy’s hat, both of which you can tighten with velcro to make sure it stays on in the wind or pool. Looks like they’re currently having a sale too.
