With spring break and then summer break is right around the corner, we are talking sunscreen. Like most things, not all sunscreens are created equal. It is easy to go with the most known brands or the most convenient for application, but I want you to think twice about your choices. I am sharing what I use (not affiliated links) for my family at the end. As always, the most important thing is to protect your skin. I would rather you go with a little less healthy sunscreen than no sunscreen at all!!
Have you been good to your skin?
How good were you to your skin when you were younger? Did you use sunscreen every time you went outside? Did you occasionally let your precious skin get too much sun? I will admit that I didn’t always take care of my skin. I can even remember a couple of times when I was in severe pain from not protecting it from the sun. This is the first time I have publicly admitted it, but I spent a little time in the tanning bed earlier in life and before our wedding.
I did know better and I was taught better, but I couldn’t think that far into my future. Unfortunately, these decisions started catching up to me in my 20’s. Every time I go to the dermatologist for a yearly skin exam I have at least one atypical mole removed. I have even had a Basal Cell Carcinoma removed from my back, which left an ugly scar! At this point, I don’t what I dread more, my yearly lady doc or dermatologist checkup.
What really hits home is that most of the spots taken off have been in places my bathing suit covers so I know that it was the tanning bed visits that will continue to plague me!
Choosing to do better
I do enjoy being tan…not that my skin gets that tan, but I like having a little color.
On my journey to be healthier I knew that sunscreen had to be addressed. Before David and I took our trip to Mexico last year, I consulted my holistic health coach about the best sunscreen. Not only did I want product that was safe for us, but also the water and creatures that Mexico is trying to protect.
This is when I discovered the Environmental Working Group (EWG). It is a non-profit organization which rates products on their toxicity level. You can use their website to research products, but I like the convenience of the app. It is my go-to before I purchase a product to go on my skin or on my body. This has been a huge eye-opening resource.
A big disappointment is the toxicity of the aerosol sunscreens. They are oh so convenient to slather the kids with sunscreen, but not so great for their little bodies.
I was on a search for a very convenient, safer sunscreen for my family and came across one from my favorite brand, Alba Botanica. It is aerosol-free and 100% vegetarian with no parabens and is biodegradable. It is not the cleanest, but it is cleaner than other spray sunscreens out there.
This is what I decided to have in my arsenal:
Thinkbaby cream and face stick, Aveeno Baby Face stick, Beautycounter Protect All Over Sunscreen, Alba Botanica Facial Sunscreen, Alba Botanica Sport Mineral Sunscreen and Badger Sunscreen Lip Balm. All of these are in the featured picture.
