Sunscreen Safety

I'll admit to being a sunscreen skeptic. The reasons for this are that I turn tan relatively easily, some studies show the benefits of Vitamin D outweigh the risks of sun exposure, and there have been no studies showing the effects of putting all these chemicals on the body's largest organ (especially for small children who have a larger surface are to mass ratio than adults).

I have changed my mind after talking to someone who lost a 39 year old friend due to melanoma. The doctor told her it was due to sun exposure before she was 10. And now there is a report that has looked at sun screen safety. See: Healthiest sunscreens

There isn't one Coppertone product on EWG's list of recommended sunscreens and only two of the 50 Banana Boat and Neutrogena products tested met its criteria. One downside is that all of the products on EWG's list are pricier than your average sunscreen, some slightly more so and others are significantly more expensive.

Here are the most affordable sunscreens on EWG's recommended products list (calculated based on price per ounce):

Badger Balm, SPF 30
Caribbean Solutions Sol Kid Care, 25 SPF
Mexitan Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 or SPF 30
Tropical Sands, SPF 50 or SPF 30
Solbar Shield Sunscreen, SPF 40
Vanicream Sunscreen Sensitive Skin, SPF 60 or SPF 35 version
Goddess Garden Kids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
Solbar Zinc, SPF 38
Jason Natural Cosmetics, Mineral Based Sunblock, SPF 30