I love that the warmer weather is finally upon us in our neck of the woods. In our family, summertime is the epitome of “outdoor living,” with plenty of beach time, backyard outings, and dinners on the deck. Our boys love being outside so much that I’m certain they would stay out there all day if I let them!
With so much time spent outdoors, protecting our skin from the sun is very important to me. In fact, the sun is responsible for such a large amount of “photoaging” that I personally wear an SPF underneath my makeup every single day, rain or shine. Wearing sunscreen can help protect against skin cancers, free radicals that damage cells and DNA, sun burns, and other rashes and inflammatory issues that may arise from too much sun. Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is absolutely essential, and good habits with children should start early.
Currently, sunscreen in the US is not exactly up to par as those manufactured in Europe. This is in part due to regulatory issues, with the approval delays and processing issues that are anything but foreign to many who work in the industry. While the differences are not exactly critical, we do need to be more judicious in the products we choose and make sure they meet the highest safety and efficacy standards.
I was motivated to write an article on proper skin protection from a study that was published in the Journal of American Medicine Dermatology a couple of short years back that showed a whopping 40% of the top-rated sunscreens sold on Amazon failed to adhere to the American Academy of Dermatology’s criteria. Such criteria includes being broad-spectrum (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays), having a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more, and being water and/or sweat resistant. It should be noted that most of these products failed due to a lack of water resistance; however this is important because sweating and water activities largely take place outdoors in the sun’s presence.
What was of equal concern in the study was that many people choose their sunscreen based on cosmetic elegance only. This means many just look at the product packaging aesthetics only, without paying much regard to the SPF or ingredients used. In fact, product performance rated second to cosmetic elegance when picking a product. Knowing what we are putting on our skin and how well it works is an important part of any skincare regimen.
UVA protection is equally or even more important than UVB protection, so purchasing a sunscreen that protects against both rays is important. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, but don’t necessarily blister the skin to be incredibly damaging. Many experts realize today that both UVA and UVB rays may contribute to melanoma risk.
What Sunscreen Isn’t
While sunscreen is definitely important, we also need to realize the caveats. For instance, wearing an SPF is not adequate grounds for spending copious amounts of time in the sun. We also need to be aware that SPF is tested in perfect, laboratory conditions with no sweating, wiping, smearing, or other things that take place in everyday living that may affect how well our sunscreen is working. These factors are especially important to consider in our children. While fresh air and vitamin D are probably some of the most important things for today’s youth, we should place an even greater emphasis on shady areas, umbrellas, hats, and protective clothing in addition to proper sunscreen. Lastly, an extremely high SPF (over 50) may “trick” users into thinking that it works stronger and lasts longer, but is not necessarily “better” than lower SPFs in major studies. Users may forgo hats, umbrellas, and reapplication of product thinking that the higher SPF is working double time. This false sense of security means that the user may be inadvertently more at risk for burns.
What to Look For
Sunscreens are considered a unique product because they are expected to be used frequently and in copious amounts. This means the ingredients should be the safest possible and in concentrations that are effective enough to provide broad spectrum without causing irritation, skin allergies, or too much exposure to questionable ingredients. Because many products are sprayed on, ingredients should also be safe for the lungs and internal organs.
These factors translate into a very delicate balance for sunscreen; they need to be both safe and effective.
I like to recommend mineral sunscreens as opposed to chemical sunscreens, and especially in children. Mineral sunscreens, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, do not get absorbed into the skin and provide an actual physical barrier. Zinc oxide is also good protection against UVA rays. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are absorbed by the skin. The safest chemical ingredients are avobenzene and homosalate. I try to avoid the “o’s” like octinoxate and oxybenzone as much as possible.
SPF
Look for an SPF between 30 and 50. Anything higher than 50 has not really been proven to be any better in studies and can also induce a false sense of security, as mentioned above. Extremely high SPFs also translate to higher concentrations of the SPF-containing ingredients. There’s no need to expose ourselves to higher amounts of ingredients if it has not been shown to be more effective.
UVA/UVB Coverage
Finding a product that covers for both UVA and UVB is critical. UVA rays penetrate deeper and can cause even more cellular damage than UVB.
Ingredients
I like to use mineral sunscreens as much as possible. Many of the sunscreens marketed for children and babies use mineral ingredients and are gentle enough to not cause any reactions in adults, either. Zinc oxide is preferred just slightly over titanium dioxide due to better UVA coverage.
Products I Both Use and Recommend
Please note that I do not accept reimbursement for any of these products in any shape or form. These are products that I use both as a mother and a pharmacist and would recommend to anyone who happened to approach the pharmacy counter!
Another important aspect to note is that while I do frequently use spray forms of sunscreen on my children for the sake of ease and convenience (they are only 1 and 3 years of age), I am very careful not to spray near their mouth or eyes to avoid inhalation or internal exposure. Also, when applying to their face and chest, I always spray on my hands first and then quickly apply. Whenever possible, I do think it is best to use a cream or lotion product to best avoid inhalation. I also tend to think that creams or lotions provide a more adequate barrier and you can better judge how much you are putting on.
It is always best to wait 10 or 15 minutes after applying sunscreen before exposure to sun or water. For obvious reasons, water can wash away the product if it does not have enough time to “set.” I also personally apply facial SPF and then do something different, like brush my teeth or hair, before then applying any makeup. The extra few minutes allow the product to really adhere to the skin.
For children: The products that are probably most accessible at the pharmacy are Neutrogena’s Pure and Free Baby Sunscreen and Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection. As I mentioned before, these products are perfectly suitable for adults. They may just require a bit more “blending in” but overall tend to not be uncomfortably greasy or thick. I also like the products made by Babyganics , Badger, and California Baby.
For adults: The same products as mentioned above, or Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry Touch, Kiss My Face, or Earth’s Best Mineral Sunscreen.
Best BB Cream/Moisturizer with SPF: I like Physician’s Formula BB cream, Coola BB cream, Eucerin Daily Hydration with SPF 15, and La Roche-Posay Facial Moisturizers.
Remember, most pediatricians don’t recommend sunscreen for infants less than 6 months old. For these precious people, barrier protection in the form of shade, umbrellas, hats, and long sleeves are especially important. It is also important not to keep them in the sun for too long. When my children were this little, I liked to especially take them outside very early in the morning or right around dinnertime, when the rays weren’t as strong. That way they could get their fresh air and views of nature, but I didn’t have to be as concerned about their delicate skin.
The best take home point is that – in a pinch – the safest, most effective sunscreens on the market are actually those that are geared towards children and babies. Adults tend to shy away from these products because of the name or connotations, but they are actually the best for adults too!
As we kick off the summer months, I hope they bring lots of fun and relaxation to you and your family!
