Well, what is a girl supposed to do? What should a mother be doing for her children?
Doesn’t it just frustrate you to read one article advocating sun creams and another researcher quoting quite the opposite and a third saying that those of us who live in northern latitudes have a chronic deficiency in Vitamin D because of lack of sun exposure.
Who are we supposed to believe?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5-15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure a few times a week is all that’s required to maintain healthy vitamin D levels.
I guess my common sense approach (in an ideal world) would be to build up your (and your children’s) exposure gradually throughout the season to fulfil your Vitamin D requirements. If you have to stay out longer than that, then try to come in before you go red. If you have to stay out yet longer, then put on non-toxic sun creams and after that cover up or go inside!
The EWG Guide to Sunscreens 2013 is full of research and product information.
Access the guide here:
http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/
Here are some top-rated sun care products for adults and kids:
- Green Screen D Organic Sunscreen, Original, SPF 35
- Kiss My Face Natural Mineral Sunscreen with Hydresia, SPF 40
- Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sunscreen, Green Tea, SPF 30+
- Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sport Stick Sunscreen, SPF 30+
- Releve’ Organic Skincare by Emerald Essentials Sun-Lite Sunscreen, SPF 20
- Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
- Seventh Generation Wee Generation Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Moisturising Sunscreen SPF30. Neal’s Yard Remedies.
- SPF40 Antioxidant Infused Sunscreen Day Cream, Supergloop!
- Sun Screen SPF40, Herbline Essentials.
What you don’t want to be buying and putting on your children are chemicals like:
- Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate or “retinol”): Linked to increased cancer cell growth.
- Oxybenzone: Hormone disrupter—experts caution against using it on children.
- Powder or spray mineral-based sunscreens (usually on ingredient label as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide): These ingredients are typically safe in lotion form, but can cause internal damage if inhaled.