Choosing the Best Sunscreens

In the summer time it is very important that we are protecting our skin by applying sunscreen on a daily basis. But, there are many sunscreens on the market that can be very misleading and dangerous. Often people will just grab any old sunscreen with a high SPF and assume it's the best one. Before you do that again, consider these shocking facts about sunscreen published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG):

Dangerous Ingredients- Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) can cause tumors and lesions to develop quicker when skin is exposed to the sun.  Oxypenzone is also another harmful ingredient. This ingredient is linked to hormone disruption and may cause allergic reactions.

Sprays or Powders: this can cause lung inflammation and may be carcinogenic.

SPF Values above 50+: this can be very misleading and may encourage people to stay out in the sun for too long. Anything above a SPF of 50+ isn't protecting your skin from the sun's rays as much as a lower SPF.

Here are some of the best and affordable sunscreens on the market right now:

Coppertone Kids Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen for Face & Body, Fragrance Free, SPF 50+
Sunbow Dora the Explorer Sunscreen, Pink, SPF 30
Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff Mineral Lotion, SPF 30
Nature's Gate Aqua Block Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Solbar Shield Sunscreen, SPF 40
Caribbean Solutions Sol Kid Kare Biodegradable Sunscreen, SPF 25
Tropical Sands Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
KidsUV Natural Sunscreen, Blue, SPF 30
Color Me Pink Baby UV/ Kids UV 100% Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunblock, Kids Mineral Protection, SPF 30
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Face, SPF 30+
Healing-Scents Live Long Mineral-Based Sunscreen, SPF 25
Hara Body Care Hara Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30
Vanicream Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 35