Summer is right around the corner and depending on what part of the country you live in you may already be experiencing a need for some R&R and vitamin D from the sun! With heightened sun exposure during these warmer months it is more important then ever to have the right kind of protection from UVA and UVB rays. You might think you’re stuck using whatever toxic, chemical-laden sunscreen there is waiting for you down at your local grocer but there are effective safe sunscreen alternatives that we’re happy to share with you!
First of all, if you are stuck in a bind and having to shop for commercial sunscreens, you’ve got to check out and consult with the Environmental Working Group’s 2014 Guide to Sunscreens. If you aren’t familiar with the EWG, they “empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. [They] drive consumer choice and civic action with breakthrough research and an informed public.” Their guide will show you which sunscreens meet their criteria and clue you in on price and toxicity level.
BUT I WANT A SAFE SUNSCREEN
One brand that we tried with our son that we’ve really enjoyed is the Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream. You can pick this one up and other Badger products for a relatively low price and it has lasted quite a while for us. We actually have some from last year that we’re just now using up. The Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream is definitely a thick cream which makes it a little difficult to apply on a now very squirmy almost-2-year-old, but that is what makes it so effective and a little covers a lot of area. It has a light, pleasant, natural scent that isn’t overwhelming. And Ryne hasn’t had a burn yet and we’re planning to keep it that way while still allowing him to have fun in the sun as he so enjoys!
Some other alternatives to commercial sunscreens include the use of essential oils along with natural moisturizing butters. We love Wellness Mama’s Natural Homemade Sunscreen recipe and recommend checking out her page for additional resources too! Here’s another great recipe and some explanation about UVA and UVB rays. Many oils have some degree of naturally occurring SPF and can be used with carrier oils and moisturizers to really pack a punch against burns:
Raspberry seed oil: 25-50
Coconut oil: 4-6
Carrot seed oil: 35-40
Almond oil: 5
Avocado oil: 4-15
Olive oil: 2-8
Jojoba oil: 4
Shea butter: 3-6
I love that you can practically pick your own scents and have fun creating a product that will really work for you and your family based on your individual preferences and needs. You won’t find that in a commercial sunscreen, or any commercial product for that matter!
This post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the importance of sun protection from the inside out! You can boost your body’s natural sun protection to begin with by consuming an anti-inflammatory diet rich in:
- brightly colored veggies
- dark, leafy greens
- oily fish
- green tea
Have you ever tried a sunscreen alternative and if so, was it a success?
