May 27th was National Sunscreen Awareness Day, followed by Don't Fry Day. (I did not make the latter up and it certainly didn't cut back on the number of chicken wings or potatoes frying…) Hopefully this got you all beginning to think about replacing old sunscreen with natural products that actually do a better job of protecting you and your children and smell nicer than what you might have been using.
Whether you live in the sun of southern California, the heat of Arizona or the humidity of the Big Apple, sunscreen and other sun protection is critical for now and for the future. It should be used daily, even if it overcast outside, and used 365 days a year. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends summer safety tips that should be read and followed all year long.
If your baby is too young (no sunscreen until 6 months), or your child's skin is too sensitive for even the most natural of sunscreens, try protective clothing. This clothing is usually made with zinc oxide, the same skin protection barrier found in sunscreen. The clothing is lightweight and can be worn in the water and year round. There are many online companies where you can purchase such items. Go to Google and type in sun protective clothing and you will pages of such clothing, as well as protective covers for car seats and strollers, beach tents and shelters. Prices seem to be comparable at most of the sites.
Everyone, including the youngest babies, should wearing eye protection, as the retina in the eye is extremely sensitive to UV rays. Sunglasses should have UVA/UVB blocking to prevent damage from the sun’s UV rays. Wraparound sunglasses, such as Baby Banz, secure around the child’s head with a neoprene elastic strap so even the strongest toddler will have difficulty pulling this iParenting Media Award Winner off.
Rather than recommending any one particular sunscreen, I am including a link to the 2010 Environmental Working Groups’ Baby Sunscreen Products Review.
NOTE: HealthyChildHealthyWorld has brought to light a new concern when it comes to sunscreen, that of retinyl palmitate, a Vitamin A compound found in 41% of sunscreens. "The FDA is investigating whether this chemical, when applied to skin that is then exposed to sunlight, may accelerate skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk… The evidence against vitamin A is not conclusive, but as long as it is suspect, EWG recommends that consumers choose vitamin A-free sunscreens."
The EWG has reviewed 64 sunscreens safe enough for babies over the age of 6 months, but only the first 21 are listed here: 21 of the Best Natural Sunscreens. I didn’t feel the remainder were worthy of being included, but you can go to the EWG website if you would like to see the complete list: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/ Know that there are always new products coming out, but it takes quite some time and rigorous testing before such products to be listed by EWG.
Wherever you live, protect yourselves and your family and enjoy a wonderful summer!
