strangejourney

It’s hard to tell what you should be more worried about these days: taking direct hits from the sun’s rays or slathering yourself up with chemical-laden sunscreens to stop them. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took steps earlier this month to ban misleading terms such as “waterproof” and “sweatproof” from sunscreen labels and warned consumers to look for "broad spectrum" protection against all forms of cancer-causing ultraviolet rays.

Still, the new rules don’t stop you from smearing potentially toxic and hormone-disrupting chemicals all over your body’s largest organ (the skin). The Environmental Working Group tested 600 beach and sport sunscreen products currently on the market and gave only one out of five its low-hazard rating, which considers both protection from the sun and lack of toxic ingredients (and a lot of the top performers are brands you'd be hard-pressed to find in stores; they're available mainly through specialty retailers). I bought six of the commonly available low-hazard brands to try on my family and friends in preparation for the Fourth of July weekend.

Badger Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30+

EWG rating: 1 (out of 10, with 1 being the best)
www.badgerbalm.com; $16

The sunny: Biodegradable and made without any nano particles (which are found in many mineral-based sunscreens, according to EWG’s research).
The dim: How much patience do your kids have? Extremely thick and heavy, this product takes a long time to apply and a lot of massaging to make it go away (my husband’s forehead was streaked white when he started sweating in the sun). But you’ll definitely know which parts of the body you’ve covered and which you’ve missed!

Doctor T’s Supergoop! Everyday Lotion, SPF 30

EWG rating: 3
www.supergoop.com; $22

The sunny: Free of parabens, oxybenzone, propylene glycol, and fragrance. But I have to admit that I liked it best because it’s easy to apply, coming with an upside down squirt pump with a cap. It’s silky and blends easily. Plus there’s virtually no scent. The company also sells a 24 ounce bulk version for die-hard sun worshippers.
The dim: EWG says there are “moderate” health concerns with some of the chemicals in this one. (Still, my dermatologist says the best sunscreen is one you’ll use consistently, so this remains my favorite.)

California Baby Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 18

EWG rating: 2
www.californiababy.com; $20

The sunny: The list of what isn’t in this sunscreen is almost as long as what is: It’s free of gluten, oat, dairy, soy, or nuts. It’s also PABA (Para-amino-benzoic acid) free. Many two-in-one moisturizer-sunscreen combos are too dense, but this one is perfect for everyday use: it’s light and glides on easily.
The dim: SPF 18 might be strong enough for playing in the back yard or a brief walk in the park, but not for a day at the beach.

BabyGanics Cover-Up Baby Sunscreen for Face and Body, Fragrance Free, SPF 50+

EWG rating: 2
www.babyganics.com; $12.99

The sunny: You’ll feel sufficiently covered without feeling like you’re wearing a layer of Elmer’s glue. But what I especially love is how the company created a 12-pack of mini tubes. Think air travel. Keep one (or three) in your purse, diaper bag, or tucked in your stroller. (It also comes in standard tube sizes). And it is PABA-free, made without parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.
The dim: Dermatologists say you need to use a shotglass-sized amount of lotion for adequate coverage. These tubes are so small you would need to carry four of them to lube up properly.

Kiss My Face Face Factor, Face + Neck, SPF 30

EWG rating: 3
www.kissmyfacewebstore.com; $12.95

The sunny: This light cream blends easily into the skin. The Face Factor variety is rich in green tea antioxidant and licorice extracts, which help fight damaging free radicals. In general, Kiss My Face products cost less than some of the other sunscreens on this list and are available at many mass-market retailers. Face Factor is fragrance-free and won’t leave you all greasy.
The dim: Why doesn’t the company make larger sizes? Don’t take this tube to the water park -- it isn’t big enough! (Plus, how many times can they squeeze "face" into the name?)

Episencial Sunny Sunscreen, SPF 35

EWG rating: 2
www.diapers.com; $15.69

The sunny: Free of additives, including petroleum and parabens, the plastic tube is also phthalate & BPA free. The medium-weight cream rubs in fairly easily and doesn’t leave a tacky feeling. The company makes a range of products, including body butter and foaming wash using recycled and sustainable packaging.
The dim: The tube I bought has a large-mouth opening. I made the mistake of letting my toddler play with it -- very messy!

A final reminder: No matter what you’re slathering on, experts say the best defense against the sun’s rays is a hat, T-shirt, and umbrella, especially at the beach.