Safe Sunscreen Guide for the Thrifty Shopper
I first wrote about sunscreen safety two years ago, in my article Is Your Sunscreen Safe? In it you can find the most common concerns with todays sprays and lotions which is…chemicals!
You know how doctors will sometimes prescribe medicine in “topical” formula because the medicine is easily absorbed by our skin and into our bloodstream? Well, the same goes for anything we put on our skin.
So, when we slather our LARGEST organ with chemicals, we are blocking out our chances of getting some Vitamin D (no, I’m not suggesting we go without protection but I think we may have gotten a little paranoid!) and are inundating our systems with chemicals to deal with.
Poor skin!
I have given you lists in the past. This top rated sunscreen list, while interesting, isn’t necessarily helpful for the average Joe, however. They are expensive and hard to find.
Coppertone Pure and Simple is rated #2 with EWG
This list of the sunscreen hall of shame may be disconcerting since many of the brands you use are probably on there. Depressing, I know, but Banana Boat Spray…one of the worst!
L’Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen line is rated #3 by EWC
And this article highlighting my FAVORITE sunscreen, Supergoop, is helpful…if you don’t mind ordering it online or finding a store near you. If there is a Barney’s or Nordstroms near by you’re set. But, who shops for sunscreen at a department store???
Which is why I finally put together a list of regular, inexpensive sunscreen brands that you can find at your local drugstore.
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin sunscreen is rated #4 by EWG
All the sunscreens below are rated fair or better by the Environmental Working Group. EWG uses a ten point scale, 1 being the safest and 10 having the greatest health hazard. Check out your products and see what you find!
Worried you may forget? Just print of this shopping list!
Safe Sunscreen Guide for the Thrifty Shopper PDF
Here is what you will find on the above PDF:
Rated 2*
Coppertone Pure and Simple, Kid and Water Baby formulas, SPF 50
Coppertone Sensitive Skin, SPF 50
Mustela Sun Cream for Sensitive Areas, SPF 50
Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion, SPF 50
Rated 3*
Neutrogena Pure and Free Liquid, daily and baby formulas, SPF 50
Aveeno Active Naturals Mineral Block, regular and baby, SPF 30
Blue Lizard, baby and sensitive formulas, SPF 30+
L’Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen lotion, SPF 30
L’Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen Continuous Midst, SPF 30
Rated 4*
CVS Oil Free Sunscreen, SPF 30
CVS Sensitive Skin, SPF 30
Coppertone Oil Free Lotion, SPF 30 and SPF 50
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin, SPF 30
Coppertone Sports Pro Series Continuous Spray with Duraflex, SPF 15
Best Spray Options
L’Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen Continuous Midst, SPF 30 (rated 3)
Coppertone Sports Pro Series Continuous Spray with Duraflex, SPF 15 (rated 4)
Love this! Thanks!
I’m so glad! Thanks!
Thanks Lina. Very helpful – esp having had skin cancer on my face. I’m interested in a good sunscreen that isn’t scented. I don’t know why so many companies think we all want perfume on our faces.
Oh, I know you have to be careful! And I totally agree…they put too much scent in everything!
What a great post! I’ve been a fan of Neutrogena Sensitive Skin for years. Have to bathe in it, since my Melanoma discovery.
I’m also a HUGE fan of Jergens Self Tanning lotion. Not streaky or orange – and gives me just the right glow.
Now, if only there were a magic cream to delete all the years of sun damage! I just noticed my chest and neck are sooooooooooo bad. Turtle Neck Bathing Suit? I see it happening.
I hear you, girl. I have to many brown spots they are beginning to blend together into an overall tan! Then, I have these weird white spots where I cannot tan at all. I look like a reverse Dalmatian. It is from all of those years under the California sun with baby oil! Horrifying!