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As we gear up for summer here on the East Coast I wanted to gather up some sunscreens and remind you of the importance of both sun protection and sunscreen as we head into the summer months. The month of May is skin cancer awareness month. The Skin Cancer Foundation has some great tips for skin cancer prevention and detection. Did you know that 1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer by the age of 70? Also by getting 5 or more sunburns you double your chance of developing melanoma. I know personally as a mom, by the time you get the kids ready and the bags packed you sometimes forget to apply sunscreen to yourself. That needs to change! I want us all to get into the habit of adding sunscreen into our skincare routines and making it a priority before heading into the sun! You should be applying sunscreen every day, even in the winter months, but it is especially important in the summertime. Dermatologists recommend you wear a broad spectrum SPF of 30 or more for optimal protection from UVA and UVB rays, whether that is a mineral sunscreen or chemical sunscreen is up to your own personal preference. The Skin Cancer Foundations recommends you apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and always reapply your sunscreen every two hours. Be sure to do your own skin checks every month and schedule a yearly skin check with your dermatologist. One of the ways you can help yourself remember your sunscreen is by making it easily accessible at all times. Keep your sunscreens in every bag, in your bathroom, by the front door, wherever you will have access to it throughout your day!
But which type of sunscreen do you choose?
Mineral sunscreens, typically made from zinc oxide or titanium dioxide protect your skin by working as a barrier from UV rays. Mineral sunscreens are great for people with sensitive skin, and have the added benefit of working right away when applied to skin. Mineral sunscreens are also recognized as safer when used over long periods of time. Mineral sunscreens are also reef safe meaning they do not contain active ingredients that are known to harm coral reefs. Mineral sunscreens can sometimes leave a white coloration on your skin. However, in recent years companies have perfected the mineral sunscreen options and you can now find find options that do not leave a white residue. Chemical sunscreens use active ingredients to absorb UV rays and convert them into heat. Your skin must absorb the active ingredients first in order to be effective which is why they recommend applying chemical sunscreens 20 minutes prior to heading into the sun. Chemical sunscreens tend to be easy to apply and are typically less visible on the skin. They are known to last longer than mineral sunscreens in regards to their effectiveness. Here are a few of the sunscreens I have used in the past and loved, a few that have been recommended by dermatologists, and I linked a few great ones for your little babes as well!
When you pick a sunscreen be sure to pick a formula you will actually want to wear. If you do not love the thicker consistency of a mineral barrier sunscreen opt for a chemical sunscreen or a combination of mineral and chemical. I love the Elta MD Broad Spectrum SPF 46 as it has a mix of chemical and physical barriers and goes on clear. I also love the Neutrogena Clear Face- Breakout Free Oil Free Sunscreen. My skin is very sensitive and this does not make me break out which is huge! Another popular sunscreen is the La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 60 & La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt In Sunscreen Milk SPF 60. La Roche Posay is a brand known for their UV protection. Both formulas are non greasy, oil and fragrance free, and water resistant. Neither formula contains parabens and both are non comedogenic meaning it will not clog your pores. Another sunscreen that is very popular is the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. This lightweight, oil free, and unscented sunscreen provides sun protection and can also be used under your makeup as a primer.
What if I want to wear makeup?
If you are a makeup lover I highly recommend the IT Cosmetics CC Cream– it not only color corrects your skin and makes your skin look flawless but it also contains an SPF 50+. Another favorite of mine is the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 and Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15. The gel cream formula of this tinted moisturizer applies evenly and leaves you with a glowy and hydrated complexion and the loose powder has been a staple of mine for years. A more affordable option is the ULTA Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 which hydrates, evens your complexion, and protects your skin from the sun!
But which type of sunscreen for my babies?
For the little babes in your life there are so many options for sunscreen. Whether you opt for a chemical or mineral based sunscreen is again a personal preference. All of the sunscreens I listed below are environmentally and reef friendly. One of the brands my pediatrician recommended when the girls were itty bitty was Badger Balm, a mineral zinc oxide broad spectrum sunscreen which includes only 7 ingredients. Badger Balm comes in formulas for babies, kids, and adults. I used this when the girls were really tiny at the beach and it worked great. A brand I recently fell in love with is Lemyka, we first tried their hydrating lotion and we are now using their ZnO Baby Mineral Sunscreen, a mineral sunscreen that is both phalate and paraben free, goes on like lotion, and does not leave a white residue. I have been using this on my girls for soccer and park days recently and it has been so great. (Plus you can save 10% off with CODE JACQSSB10). Another sunscreen we have used a lot is the Blue Lizard Broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30+, this mineral-based, water resistant sunscreen is a combination of both minerals and chemicals which makes it easy to apply and worked well on my girls sensitive skin. An innovative feature is that the bottle turns blue when exposed to UV rays. Another favorite is the Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin, this broad spectrum mineral sunscreen is waterproof and hypoallergenic. One of the key ingredients is oat extract which helps to soothe skin. A similar sunscreen we have used and love is the Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, this broad spectrum SPF 50 is also water resistant, hypoallergenic, and tear free meaning it will not irritate your little ones eyes if the sunscreen gets in them! Thinkbaby Sunscreen Lotion was the first sunscreen to meet Wholefoods Premium Care Standards. This mineral based, broad spectrum sunscreen is both water resistant, hypoallergenic, and free from irritating chemicals. I hope this list helps protect you and your little ones from the harmful summer rays this summer and that you all have the best summer ever!! Hello Sunshine!
