Searching for a More Natural Sunscreen

Hi E., I just discovered this awesome website that will definitely help you. Go to http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ and on the upper right side click on "Childrens products guide". They have a "sunscreen" category but you'll find all the categories helpful.
Hopet his helps,
G.

E.:

Arbonne is a company that has been at the forefront of being eco friendly... they use packaging that is recyclable, their products are all botanically based, there is no animal products and no animal testing.

Their presun face and body is spf 15 with a uva absorber.

look at the website: www.arbonne.com

you are welcome to contact me for more information.

P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

E.,
I use California Baby suncreeen along with a lot of their other products. I love the shampoo they make to take clorine out of the hair. A little pricey but well worth it! go to www.californiababy.com or www.drugstore.com to order it. I haven't seen it in stores around here but they ship pretty quickly.
D. L.

the Environmental Working Group-EWG website and CDC just came out with a press release in March regarding a component used in sunscreens that is harmful and found in most sunscreens, which is the first link. Then they offered another link to view their best and worst list of sunscreens (the second link). The first link is the press release, the second link is the best and worst list in regards to chemical safety. The cosmetic database is an excellent source on finding the best products for your family from hairspray to toothpaste to lipsticks and bodycare, I use this guide to buy the safest and "greenest" items

http://www.ewg.org/node/26212

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summa...

From what I researched, there are chemically derived sunscreens (component ingrediants like Octinoxate and Oxybenzone) and natural sunblocks which are mineral compounds called Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.

Here's a link that is worth reading that explains how sunscreen chemicals work and why they are being questioned as cancer causing.

www.skinbiology.com/toxicsunscreens.html

And Wikipedia is very informative as well. They provide a list too of all the chemical ingrediants.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suntan_lotion

There is a movement towards mineral sunsceens as they work differently than chemicals.

Here is Whole Foods on it too:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/wholebody/bodycare/sunscr...
(they list chemicals that are "approved" but if you read in Wikipedia you will notice that many chemicals that the USA allows, Europe won't because of asociated risk. So take WF list with a grain of salt.)

I do use a mineral sunblock by Alba Botanicals.
http://www.albabotanica.com/?id=429&pid=491

Burts Bees is also a mineral sunscreen and is lovely.

(I am internet happy today I guess!)

Shaklee has an SPF 30 product which has been used successfully by both children and adults. They have a 50 year history of integrity and source their ingredients from nature. Products are free of preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colors flavors or any other artificial ingtedient. All products have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you are not fully satisfied, you can get a full refund.

Someone specifically asked Shaklee about the use of this product for children and this was their response:

"Sunscreen products, classified as drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are not to be used on infants under six months of age. Shaklee ust comply with this law.

We should mention that Shaklee agrees with the cautionary statement: Infants under 6 months of age are not ready to have products on their skin. And a number of pediatricians do not want mothers to bathe their infants in anything
other than water for the first 6 months. The skin is just too permeable. After 6 months of age, the child can wear any Shaklee sunscreen product."

You can get more information about this product on my website Sunscreen products, classified as drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are not to be used on infants under six months of age. Shaklee
must comply with this law.

You can get more information about the SPF30 sunscreen by visiting my website at www.shaklee.net/judytorres.
Put Sunscreen in the search parameter, and you can see all the information on the product.

Enjoy your baby! I am having lots of fun with my 9 month old granddaughter.

Hi E.,
I am so glad that you are consciously trying to use safer non toxic personal care products. Most consumers are unaware of the harmful ingredients found even in baby shampoo. I work with a 23 year old wellness company that has great products for babies & adults. We make a spray on sunscreen which is great for squirming babies. It is 45 SPF and protects against UVA & UVB rays. It is enhanced with vitamins and safe for use in children over 6 months. The cost is $11.99 for a 6 oz. spray bottle. I would love to tell you more about our great products. Please visit my website www.livetotalwellness.com/rechisholm or call me at ###-###-####.
R. Chisholm

Hi E. ,
A word of advice just because someone advertises a product as natural does not mean that it is not harmful . The laws about natural products in this country are vague in this respect.

I am a rep for safer alternative products that are non toxic .Our team is Work at Home United and we represent a company called Melaleuca. Mela has been around over 22 years and they are definitely in the business to help others have non toxic product. We do carry over 350 products for all of your household and family needs . Everyone is going green these days and it is difficult to do all at once but we have a home conversion pack that helps the transition go a little faster .

if you would like to hear more ,let me know I would be happy to have you listen to an overview call from home .I am not into pressuring anyone just educating people how to have a safer healthier life for themselves and their family. I have three girls of my own and it has made a difference to know that I am not exposing them to toxic products in my home .

Shay Snyder
www.workfromhomeunited.com/shay
____@____.com

Have you tried look at some of the products that are carried by California Baby? I believe you may find the product in WholeFoods. I have seen some of this line in Target, but in a health food store, or a store like WholeFoods, you may find the alternatives you are looking for.

Arbonne make sunscreen that is safe for infants (SPF30) and is paraban FREE! I have used it on both of my kids all year round (we have a house in Florida for the cold winters here)

I sell the Arbonne products and would love to give you a sample to try.
Shelly
###-###-####
____@____.com

www.shellystone.myarbonne.com

Check out Whole Foods. All of the products there are natural and safe. They are a bit costly, but you can always find one you like and buy it on the internet cheaper....

i see lots of great advice here, I would def go w/a natural product company that uses no parabens or pthalates. California Baby, Burt's Bees and Weleda are great, so is Aubrey Organics, I would go with something higher than a spf 15 - prevent the damage we got as kids before they figured out the sun burns now in a different way than years ago. Pricey yes, but what you spend now could prevent the loss of life from melanoma later, you can't put a price on that.

E.
I would love to introduce you to Arbonne International. They have botanically based products for your whole family. They contain no mineral oils, animal by-products, no chemicals or fragrances, tested on humans,and hypoallergenic. It sounds like your ready to "Arbonnize" your home. You'll never regret it! These are awesome products! Contact me if you'd like more information or a personal visit to sample some products. S.
____@____.com

I don't know if anyone else has posted this link. It's great for finding out info about products ingredients.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Let me know if you have problems with the link.

Whole Foods has lots of sunscreens without parabens or pthalates. Just check the label still since whole foods still is phasing out parabens and they are found in some of their products.

Go to your local health food store (For the Good of It! in Joliet, among others in the general area) and look for a brand call Jason. They make natural sunscreens. There is also a great book out there called "Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun and Frugal Uses You'Ve Probably Never Thought of" (Paperback) You may also want to consider dumping your fabric softener and switching to white vinegar in your rinse. Does the same thing w/o chemicals or clothes fading and fiber wear out.

Hello E.,
I too have a 7 month old daughter and I'm definately in the same boat. We've been using Aveeno sunscreen as it's gentle and readily available at most drug and grocery stores. It's pretty financially friendly also, which is always a plus! I would like to find some other product that are a bit more natural, but it's difficult with our budget. One place I've been checking out is Shaklee (check the website)they have great products, but expensive. So there's the conundrum. If you happen to find anything, PLEASE let me know!!! I'm also looking for bug spray if anyone happens to mention it...
Be well,
js

Everyone that I've talked to recommends the California Baby sunscreen. They sell it at Whole Foods.

vitamin c powder mixed with any kind of regular lotion, but you have to reapply every half hour

I have heard good things about California Baby sun screen. I am going to try it. It is natural, a bit expensive but I think worth it. I have seen it at Target, Whole Foods, or you can check out their web site.
California Baby shampoo and body was is also great.
Good luck in your search for "green" products. We are also on our way.

Mary

Hi E. - I just opened a children's boutique in Lincoln Square - Little Green Baby. We carry all environmentally friendly products for kids and families - including "green" cleaners and natural suncreens for kids - we have two sunscreens right now, the Weleda brand and Earth's Best. Feel free to stop by and check them out - 4654 N. Rockwell. Good luck!

K.

Earth's Best and California Baby are both good and can be bought online or at Whole Foods or similar. Earth's best is more reasonable and super thick so even though it is not a huge bottle it lasts for quite awhile. I used it on my baby (3 months at the time) and it worked great. Good luck

Arbonne, Arbonne, Arbonne....do I feel strongly or what? LOL Very good product, it is not completely natural due to SPF being a necessary chemical. But Arbonne combines the best of science and nature. Good call going green. I will happily send you more info about Arbonne's products.

I use ABC Sunscreen from Arbonne. It is 100% natural and a tiny bit goes a really long way. I began using it last summer and had run out the one dayso I used another over the counter sunscreen for children. My kids were so used to the natural that they screamed that it burned. The Arbonne sunscreen has no chemicals or animal by-products. I can get it for you if you would like let me know.

I would have to agree that shaklee products rock! I love the cleaning products and am able to let my children help me clean because they are safe for my home, the environment and my family. I have yet to use the sunscreen but will be using it this summer and I'm sure I will love it as much as I love everything else from them.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask me or Beth, the other shaklee rep who replied, and we would be more than happy to help you.

good luck!
M.
http://www.shaklee.net/MaryBethdeBolt

Dear E.,
I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice on this one!
I salute you for being careful about what contacts your little one. You might also consider switching to nontoxic cleaning products, as babies put things in their mouths, and spend lots of time on the floor.
My vote is for Shaklee organic and natural products, including sunscreen. Shaklee does clinical testing on their products, and they work so well that when my sister was is the Dominican Republic last summer, Shaklee's SPF 15 worked better than the SPF 30 they had along from a national brand!
You can check out the company and products at www.goshaklee.info, password DS00579, or at my website for specific products: www.shaklee.net/nan_c.
to your healthy baby and lifestyle,
N.

I love love love Melaleucas Sun Shades Mineral Sunblock 30+ (Now Ultra Waterproof!)
Here is some info about it:
One of the best blockers against damaging UV rays, the microfine zinc oxide in new, oil-free Sun Shades Mineral Sunblock 30+ naturally protects you and your family’s skin from both aging UVA and burning UVB rays, unlike many sunscreens. Without making you look like a ghost (remember the life guard’s white nose?), this broad-spectrum formula is ultra-waterproof, lasting for up to 80 minutes in the water. Using natural vitamins and botanicals, Sun Shades 30+ also helps protect your skin against signs of premature aging. An ideal choice for daily sun protection, Sun Shades 30+ also offers a better value over other physical sunblocks. sunshades sun screen sun block

Sun Shades Mineral Sunblock 30+ (Now Ultra Waterproof!)
Naturally protect skin from the sun both in & out of water.
Plus:
Watch the Sun Shades™ Mineral Sunblock & Sun Shades Sport Video!
Contains More than just Melaleuca Oil

Size: 6.5 fl. oz.

They also have:
Sun Shades Sport SPF 45+ Continuous Spray
Which I love for my daughter!!

Make summer sun protection easy with the broad-spectrum protection of new Sun Shades Sport 45+. Using dermatologist-recommended avobenzone in a continuous spray, Sun Shades Sport 45+ protects skin from both UVA and UVB rays while a blend of vitamins and botanicals helps guard against the signs of premature aging and skin tone loss.
Hot summer days are no match for this sunscreen that lasts for up to 80 minutes whether you’re in the water or breaking a sweat. Easy to apply, Sun Shades Sport 45+ dries in seconds and even works when being held at an angle, making hard-to-reach areas a snap to cover. A special twist-and-lock cap protects against spills.

Let me know if you are interested in these products I can get you more info on them.

Hi E.,

I am part of a company that promotes overall wellness and based on your request, you may be interested in their products. They have a whole "green" product line called ecosense that has NO chemicals or toxins in them at all and does an incredible job on household cleaning, laundering, as well as many other uses. They also have an extensive health and nutrition line, a vitamin based makeup and skin care line, as well as the Sunscreen that you are talking about.

It is a broad spectrum mineral sunblock that uses natrual vitamins and minerals and is a better value than what you would find over other physical sunblocks.

If this is something you would like to know more about, please give me a call or email and I would be more than happy to help you.

K.
____@____.com

Check the website EWG.org (Envorimental Working Group). Click on "Skin Deep". They offer great info on all personal care products--very educational, tons of information. They have a special report on sunscreen. The sunscreen ranked the best by them is by Badger (I purchased on-line, but I have seen it at Whole Foods). Badger has great product in general--lip balms, lotions, the best baby oil, etc. Their sunscreen stays pretty white, however. You have to blend it in. Keys Soap and California Baby are also pretty good. In general, I have found with the more "natural" sun screens that they have to be re-applied every two hours and most are not water-proof. Badger is supposed to be, but you really do have to re-apply.

Hope this helps!

Hi E.,

Check out mercola.com. They have a great natural sunscreen that they promote in a blue tube. It's called Natural Sun from Aubrey Organics. You can get 4 bottles (2 for adults, 2 for kids) for $25.50 right now. Hope this helps!

Blessings,
K. B.

Burt's Bees has an Organic Sunscreen. It was pretty pricey!

many have recommended california baby and earth's best- we have used both and have continued with california baby. the california baby is zinc oxide and needs to be appiled thin, but we love the product and will use it on infants! UV Naturals also has a formula we use but it can be greasy. however we wil be using the 2 over the summer. (actually we just started suing it again this week) the environmental working group's skin deep website has really good information for many products including adult stuff too. we refer to it all the time. i would stay away from products with any parabens as preservatives as they are controversial right now. i think the arbonne does contain them.
i see someone gave the ewg website- check it out. you can also check uv naturals and the others on line too.
good luck....

Wow E. you have so many great responses here. I just thought I would add my website to the mix. We do sell an ALL natural certified organic sunscreen but it is a bit pricey. One thing that made me want to send this website to you was your comment on doing research about alternative beauty and cleaning products, which we also sell. There is a link on my website that identifies toxic ingredients which I think you would like to read. It identifies them and what they potentially do to us. I also started looking into this for my 5 year old son. He now uses the toothpaste, bath wash, shampoo and lotion every day. It is nice not to worry about hidden ingredients. A lot of items claim to be Natural but you have to be very careful of the 'hidden' dangers. Every ingredient in our products are listed right there on the website. Good luck in your search. www.vickiecolon.mionegroup.com

We use California Baby sunscreen. I"ve been really happy with it (not a single sunburn yet after 2 seasons). We use all of their baby products- they are very safe for kids (and sensitive adults) and are great in terms of organic/natural ingredients.

Hi E.,

I have been using the Arbonne products on my daughter, my husband, and myself for almost 2 years now. They work wonderful. If you are looking for toxic free, chemical free, and products that are just pure, and safe, you may want to check out their website at www.arbonne.com. I am a customer as well as a consultant. I can show you how you can save money by shopping "whole sale" and save 30% to 80% off their listed retail price. I never knew all the toxins that were in our personal daily care products until I did the research. Let me know if I can help you in anyway. I am a stay at home Mom, and know how to "shop for the best deal"! : ) You can email me at ____@____.com or feel free to call me as well at ###-###-####.

Wish you the best of luck!

I use a website called Skin Deep: cosmetic database -- it rates products and lets you know what ingredients are in the product and which ones are hazardous to us and ranks them (cosmeticdatabase.com) It lists California Baby sunscreen (no fragrance) as one of the safest and it's sold at target. (it's a bit expensive, but it's very thick and a little goes a long way.) Word of caution: Arbonne is often ranked pretty hazardous (just because something is all natural does not necessarily mean that it is safe for our bodies- and that company has yet to sign the safe cosmetic pact--- more details about that on the skin deep website). Hope this helps some.

Hi E.,
I feel your pain when it comes to trying to find products that are safe for our families.

I use Shaklee prodcuts. Shaklee has a 50 year history with product testing. They have never had a recall on any of their products and are committed to creating products that are in harmony with nature, but still safe and effective. I am very impressed by the number of scientists they have on staff and how many product testings for purity they do before the bottle reaches my door.

If you would like more information, visit my website
www.shaklee.net/maximumwellness

or the actual page with the SPF . . .
http://www.shaklee.net/maximumwellness/product/32519

And if you'd like more information on going green, I can assist you with that as well.
B. :-)