The Best + Worst Sunscreens of 2017




Did you know, a few of the major name brand sunscreen are super crap for your skin? It's true. Worst of all, many are packaged and marketed to families. Which is again, super crap, because the harsh chemicals can burn sensitive skin. What's more, some of the more inexpensive brands are way safer for young and old skin!

I had no clue either until my son's pediatrician told me to check the Environmental Working Group Website for their annual sunscreen report for the safest, most effective sunscreens. I was blown away by how harsh and crap the big brands were, and how a sunscreen half the price not only protected my family's skin, it helped repair sun damage at the same time! 

Below is all the information you'll need to know what to look for in a safe sunscreen and The 10 BEST and WORST Sunscreens of 2017.
  
A few things to know before buying ANY sunscreen:




  • Spray sunscreens can be inhaled, and they don’t cover skin completely. NOTE: The FDA has expressed doubts about their safety and effectiveness but hasn’t banned them. 
  • SPF values above 50+ try to trick you into believing they’ll prevent sun damage. Don’t trust them. SPF protection tops out at 30 to 50.
  • Oxybenzone can disrupt the hormone system.
  • Retinyl palmitate may trigger damage, possibly cancer.

European sunscreens provide better UVA protection.

According to the EWG Sunscreen report, nearly every sunscreen sold in the U.S. claims to offer “broad spectrum” protection, which suggests they shield against harmful UVA rays. But many products are too weak to be sold in Europe, where standards are higher. In Europe, sunscreen makers can formulate their products with four chemicals that offer stronger protection from UVA rays. American manufacturers have been waiting for years for FDA approval to use these sunscreen ingredients. The FDA has asked for more safety data, but until the FDA approves these ingredients and lifts restrictions on combining certain active ingredients, Americans will not be able to buy sunscreens with the strongest UVA protection.

I LOVE Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen. And not just because my husband is Australian. It works. Well. it's also inexpensive, super safe and doesn't leave me looking paste white. Another bonus is The bottle turns pink when it comes in contact with UV rays, reminding you to apply sunscreen.  




TOP 19 BEST SUNSCREENS OF 2017 for families/baby/kids
19 WINNERS:
Adorable Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
All Good Kid’s Sunscreen, SPF 30
All Terrain KidSport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 50
Babytime! by Episencial Sunny Sunscreen, SPF 35
Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
Bare Republic Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Baby, SPF 30+
BurnOut KIDS Sunscreen, SPF 35
California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Caribbean Sol Sol Kid Kare, SPF 30
Goddess Garden Organics Baby Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Kiss My Face Organics Kids Sunscreen, SPF 30
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50
Sunology Natural Sunscreen Kids, SPF 50
Sunumbra Sunkids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 40
ThinkSport Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30

12 WORST SUNSCREENS FOR FAMILIES Get ready to be blown away...

FIRST, Did you know, the FDA does not set any regulations on sunscreens marketed to children? What's more, year after year, the EWG Lab find very little difference between sunscreens marketed for children and the general public? So sad. 
The LOSERS:
Want more detailed info or a sunscreen that fits your lifestyle? Click the image below to see what's best and worst for you!




April is an award-winning writer and blogger. Her work has been published in over ten countries and four languages. From books to newspapers, to print/online magazines and everything in between, you can find her work. For more on April, Visit AprilMcCormick.com