"Healthy" Sunscreen
 

Coming to the smart people on TOTV again for some help finding sunscreen that doesn't contain all those harmful ingredients. I was using the sunscreens designed for babies that say minerals. No one would harm a baby, right? And minerals are good for you. Apparently not so.

Any help is appreciated.

Can you tell us what is not good for you in sunscreen?

Our dermatologist highly recommended Trader Joe’s sunscreen. Their shampoos and soap don’t have all the additives either.

Benzene
BHT
Propylparaben
Octocrylene
Benzophenone-3

Our dermatologist highly recommends Cetaphil sheer mineral face liquid sunscreen broad spectrum SPF 50.

We really like the Sun Bum products. They have a mineral line as well although we have not used it.

Here is the know authority on best sunscreens

Sunscreen Guide - Rated by Scientists | EWG

A slight twist on the thread, but as an avid lap swimmer I would appreciate recommendations on the best waterproof sunscreen that doesn’t sting the eyes when some inevitably gets inside the swim goggles. I swim lots of backstroke and need to be very diligent about protecting my face while swimming when the intense Florida sun is high in the sky. I have been using Coppertone WaterBabies as it’s supposed to be both waterproof and tear free. It seems to hold up relatively well during long swims, but it can really sting the eyes.

Blue Lizard "Sensitive" is awesome. Broad spectrum with none of those ingredients. Active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Primary carrier ingredient is castor oil.

It has a lot of scary-sounding ingredients, but they're mostly (not all, but mostly) isolated chemical components or synthetic results of combining natural sources like minerals, sand (dimethicone is a type of silicone which is made with sand, water, and methanol gas) waxes, seaweed, and other plant substances.

In large doses, any of these ingredients can be harmful. Especially if ingested. So don't eat it, just rub it on your skin. It coats the skin, it doesn't absorb into it. The only downside to mineral sunscreens is the effort required to wash it off. Soap and water won't be enough. You need OIL to get this stuff off. The good news, is that oil is good for your skin. Options that are skin-friendly and very spa-like:

Get a coconut oil sugar scrub - or make one. If you make one with normal granulated sugar or "superfine" sugar like you can get in Publix, it's safe to use on your face, except on your eyelids and eye sockets.

Use just plain old kitchen cabinet olive oil. Massage it onto your skin. Get a thin coat over every part of your body that has the sunscreen on it, run the shower hot enough to steam up a bit before getting in. Then get in. Rub briskly all those spots again for a minute or so to loosen up the minerals, and THEN use soap to wash the oil off.

WaterBabies gets around the claims by using slightly altered versions of the same chemicals that it claims it doesn't have. I wouldn't use it on a baby, or on myself.

I’m aware it’s not the healthiest option, but compared to the risk of getting melanoma (again) it’s a risk trade off I consciously make. That’s why I asked for alternative recommendations for a better waterproof option that doesn’t sting the eyes.

I've never heard of anyone dying from exposure to sunscreen products but melanoma is a beeotch. I think you're doing the right thing and it would be great if you can find a product that doesn't burn one's eyes.

The question I never hear answered: If you are using the "safer" mineral sunscreens with titanium and zinc oxide, it you rub them in until you can't see them, do they work? Or do you need to go around looking like you have white paint on you? Generally if you search about this, the answer is always - apply liberally.

They do result in a light whiteish haze, you don't rub them INTO your skin, they won't rub in, they coat the skin. If you have pale skin, it won't really be noticeable at all. If you have a tan, then yes it'll be noticeable. How much will depend on how dark your tan is.

You're thinking of the old-fashioned zinc oxide past which lifeguards always smeared down their nose. This stuff isn't like that. I have a slight tan over not-quite-pale skin. When I use the mineral sunscreen it leaves a sort of - pearlescent residue, you can't tell that it's white, it just glimmers a little.

Believe it or not, but Aldi sunscreen always does well in independent tests.

No surprise ... love Aldi for so many things!

Nah, they would never harm a baby... no not in the greatest country on earth... baby formula ingredients:

Corn Syrup Solids (55%), Vegetable Oil (26%) (Palm Olein, Coconut, Soy, And High Oleic Sunflower Oils), Soy Protein Isolate (15%), Less Than 2%: Mortierella Alpina Oil*, Schizochytrium Sp. Oil†, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Phosphate, Cupric Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Magnesium Phosphate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Selenite, Zinc Sulfate, L-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Riboflavin, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Vitamin B₁₂,

Yum yum...

I never use sunscreen. No skin cancer from the FL sun either. I cover up and wear a hat.

Less of the bad stuff in their foods as well. The EU is banning what's in food in the usa. The BPA coating on the inside of cans used for food is causing man issues but "shhhhh." Popeye would have lots of trouble if his spinach cans had BPA.

Example: Libby lima beans have a special symbol marking the Lima bean cans free from BPA. Funny thing though, other Libby vegitable cans can have BPA go figure. Don't assume anything.

For sure one has to read EVERY label and know the clever cover up words for unhealthy ingredients these days.

I don't use sunscreen while Hang Gliding. The chemicals are dangerous. (BTW, I really do Hang Glide)

Consider yourself fortunate. Some folks tan, some folks burn. I'm firmly in the burn camp. If I'm going to be outside (a lot), I use SPF 50...always. You won't get skin cancer tomorrow from sun exposure yesterday. Skin cancers are typically an accumulation of damage over time. But, it literally takes less than a minute to apply sunscreen, and avoiding sunburn (for me) is always a good thing.

It's also good to remember that just because a person may have dark skin, and tan easily, does not mean they cannot develop skin cancer. Bob Marley died of melanoma.

Check the EWG website...
Sunscreen Guide - Rated by Scientists | EWG

Latest I heard on those "dangerous" chemicals is that they were fed to rats orally in really high doses and on necropsy some changes were noted in the uterus of the female rats (endocrine disruption) and so the risk to humans applying a few tablespoons topically is zero. But I'd love to hear other info on how this whole "danger" bit originated....maybe there is some legit info?

Sunscreen in general is pretty amazing. You rub in this stuff, it's invisible (some of it anyway), and the sun doesn't burn your skin. I mean...is that crazy or what??

Joe

Check into this site… https://www.ewg.org/
 

The EWG (Environmental Working Group) rates products and food giving them ranging scores…
Simply search sunscreens in the site and you’ll find what you’re looking for.

I have researched sunscreens. There is a difference among sunscreens and specific recommendations. First, a bit about UV-B and UV-A. UV-B is the cause of sunburn and cancer and UV-A is perhaps a more dangerous cause of cancer. UV-A can penetrate even glass (80%). Sunscreens best protect against UV-B and less so against UV-A. To get good UV-A protection you must use at least a minimum of SPF 30, but higher is recommended (and specific ingredients are recommended). SPF is considered a variable, non-scientific measurement.



Clothing: Minor role but dark colors protect better than light colors (just the opposite of what I thought). Hats are the most important articles of clothing. A 4-inch wide brim is required to cover the entire face and neck.



Ingredients: There are two types of ingredients: minerals and chemicals.



Minerals: Zinc oxide and Titanium oxide. The new nanoparticle formulations diminish the white appearance. Titanium Oxide has been demonstrated to be much LESS effective than Zinc Oxide. The recommended concentration of Zinc Oxide is 20% or more – some products only have 5%.



Zinc Oxide + Chemicals – Just Say No. Zinc Oxide 5% when combined with chemical sunscreens caused the chemicals to degrade much more extensively than when Zinc Oxide was not added - chemical sunscreens alone had 15% degradation after 2 hours but when combined with Zinc Oxide there was a whopping ~85% degradation after 2 hours. This was based on UV-A penetration.



Chemicals. There should be a combination of chemicals to protect against both UV-A and UV-B. The 4 recommended combination of ingredients are:

(1) Avobenzone
(2) Octocrylene
(3) Homosalate
(4) Octisalate

A 5th ingredient, tetraphalydine dicamphor sulphonic acid (say that 3 times fast) also increases protection from UV-A, but you are unlikely to find a product with that as an ingredient.

The above 4 ingredients are the most highly recommended by Consumer Reports as well.

Speaking of Consumer Reports, here are the sunscreens they state offer the most protection:


(1) Coppertone Water Babies Lotion

(2) Eucerin Advanced Hydration Lotion

(3) Walmart’s Equate brand of Ultra Lotion (be careful because the
ingredients could change in store brands)


Lastly, you really do need to apply 15 minutes before going out in the sun because the chemicals need to form a complex. Likewise, you really do need to reapply every 80 minutes because the chemicals degrade quickly. (And reapply after swimming or sweating a lot).

Most dermatologist carry recommended sunscreens. They’re a little on the pricey side, but they contain zinc, which is the best sunscreen available.

My middle daughter has terribly sensitive skin, her dermatologist recommended blue lizard sensitive and it was the only one that worked for her. Also seems to provide good sun protection.

Download the app Yuka. Use the barcode scan at bottom on various products at the store and it will give you their health and safety score along with other better suggestions. I had this on all health products as well as all foods.

You're right, some of those chemicals are VERY dangerous-----if you ingest them or inject them intravenously, NOT if you apply to skin as directed.

Bob Marley died of a rare form of melanoma, called Subungual Melanoma (acral lentiginous melanoma), which isn’t caused by sun exposure. It is found on either the hands or the feet and very commonly under either the thumb nail or big toe nail. It has the highest mortality rate of all melanomas, primarily because it tends to be detected late. Like other melanomas, if caught early, while still in situ or stage one, it has a high survival rate of about 95%.

Funny. I do believe, though, that more people die from hang gliding than sunscreen products, (unless they're drinking the sunscreen).

People, you don't want melanoma. It is the most insidious stuff to treat. I've watched a family member deal with it for many years. Thankfully, the cutting, radiation and chemo stopped after an immunotherapy arrested it. How long will that work, who knows?:shrug:

This is not a mineral sunscreen. I use Blue Lizzard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive 50 plus. Available on Amazon , zinc oxide , titanium dioxide.

Does go on white but dries clear. I only use on my face and neck and wear uv shirts.

The July 2024 Consumers Report rated sunscreens. Top rated lotion with rating of 100 is Coppertone Waterbabies Lotion.

Trader Joes lotion has a rating of 47 and is not recommended. However TJ's spay was rated at 74 and recommended.

No mention of any product from Aldi.

Diaper rash cream with zinc oxide for the face. Most other products will end up in your eyes and sting once you are sweating. For every place else (ok almost every other commonly protected place), just about any SPF 30+ will do. If you go too much higher, there is some chemical (avobenzone, for example) that will stain clothing brown.

ConsumerLab recommends Coppertone Pure and Simple Baby Sunscreen SPF 50 Lotion, Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen for Babies, Tear Free, Water Resistant, Broad Spectrum SPF 50

I get it on Amazon.

Good information, thanks. I’m going to try both of these instead of waterbabies and see how they hold up during long swims. Hopefully they won’t sting the eyes too much?

Hawaii 104
 

Since no one has mentioned it, I suggest you consider the Hawaii act 104: it seeks to diminish environmental harm from sunscreen products.

Thanks! I am using an app called Yuka to rate the quality of the sunscreens and it does provide information on anything that is considered bad for humans and the environment.

I too have issues with sunscreen dripping down into my eyes and stinging when I am out running or jetskiiing or lake floating. Usually I use the Neutrogena Ultra-sheer dry-touch sunscreen, but that stings.

Recently I found one that is a bit spendy, but it does not sting my eyes despite the activity. I use it above my nose, and continue to use the Neutrogena on all parts below that since it is much more budget friendly.

The good stuff is called Supergoop Glow Screen. It is made by Taylor James, LLC out of San Antonio, TX. The active ingredients (and I don't know if they are good or bad) are:
- 3% Avobensone
- 5% Octisalate
- 10% Octocrylene

You can contact them at 877-564-7330 for any questions.

That act relates to types of sunscreen that damages coral reefs in the ocean. Being a scuba diver, I’m all for protecting the reefs, but it’s a non issue in the Villages.

Wow!
 

- Holy Smokes! Can't even pronounce most of these and you want to slather it on your skin? Better to just cover up your skin with clothing.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Zinc Oxide 12% (Sunscreen)

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Allantoin, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone , Dimethicone, Dimethiconol/Propylsilsesquioxane/Silicate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol , Isododecane, Lauryl Peg-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Peg-8 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate , Peg-10, Phenoxyethanol , Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propanediol , Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Water.