Have you wondered what to look for in a sunscreen?

The sun contains both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are linked to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer as well as causing lines, wrinkles and aging of the skin. UVB rays cause sunburns. Currently sunscreens in the US only have ratings for UVB rays. SPF 15 blocks about 93% and SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. Several ingredients block both UVA and UVB including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Both of these ingredients are physical blocks, and are very gentle to the skin. Chemical blocks include avobenzone, oxybenzone and mexoryl. There are some concerns that these chemical sunscreen break down in the sun. The envirnment watch group performed a review of almost 900 sunscreens their recommendations are below.

Recommended products from popular brands
1	Blue Lizard	Blue Lizard Australian Suncream Lotion, Sensitive, SPF 30 Blue Lizard Australian Suncream Lotion, Baby, SPF 30+ Blue Lizard Australian Suncream Lotion, Face, SPF 30+
2	California Baby	California Baby Sunscreen Lotion No Fragrance, SPF 30+ California Baby Sunscreen Lotion Natural Bug Blend, SPF 30+ California Baby Sunscreen Lotion Everyday/year-Round, SPF 30+ California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+ California Baby Sunblock Stick Everyday/year-Round, SPF 30+
3	CVS	CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 45+
4	Jason Natural Cosmetics	Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas Mineral Based Physical Sunblock, SPF 30+
5	Kiss My Face	Kiss My Face Face Factor Paraben Free, SPF 30 Kiss My Face 100% Paraben Free Sunscreen with Oat Protein, SPF 30
6	Neutrogena	Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30
7	Olay	Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30 Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, SPF 30
8	SkinCeuticals	Skinceuticals Physical UV Defense, SPF 30
9	Solar Sense	Solar Sense Clear Zinc, for Face, SPF 45
10	Walgreens	Walgreens Sunblock with Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose & Ears, SPF 45+
Major brands that have no recommended sunscreens
Aubrey Organics (6), Avalon Natural Products (8), Aveeno (21), Banana Boat (41), Biore (1), Biotherm (11), Bull Frog (9), Burt’s Bees (2), Cetaphil (2), Clean & Clear (2), Coppertone (41), Cover Girl (4), Dove (4), Dr. Scholl’s (2), Elizabeth Arden (12), Eucerin (5), Garnier (3), Gillette (1), Hawaiian Tropic (10), Jergens (2), Juvena (2), La Roche-Posay (5), Lancome (28), LORAC (5), Lubriderm (1), Maybelline (1), Murad (9), Nature’s Gate (7), Nivea (4), Paradise Gold (4), Phisoderm (2), Pond’s (2), Purpose (2), RoC (6), Skin Simple (1), Target (.method) (1), The Body Shop (3), Vichy (2), Zia Natural Skincare (3) Please call us at 215-735-7990 with questions.