After reading through the Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen review for 2011, I went out and bought my sunscreen and face lotion for 2011. They are not necessarily on the EWG’s “Best Sunscreen” list, but according to the “Nanomaterials and Hormone disruptors in suncreens” page; they do not contain the most harmful ingredients. I made sure the sunscreens I bought didn’t include:
-4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC)
-Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) – this is the most popular ingredient in most sunscreens, and is not safe especially for kids
-3-Benzylidene camphor
-Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC)
-Padimate O
For my daily face lotion I bought “La Roche Posay Hydraphase UV Intense Rehydration with SPF 30” at $38.99 from Shoppers Drug Mart (this was the most expensive).
For my face sunscreen I bought “The Green Beaver Company Certified Organic non-whitening sunscreen lotion, SPF 30” at $18.50 (on sale) from Ginkgo health store.
For my body suncreens I bought “Life Sunthera3, SPF 15” at $8.99 (on sale), and “Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB” at $7.99 (on sale) both at Shoppers.
There you have it! Now you won’t waste your money on sunscreen products that do more harm than good, and you’ll be fully protected this summer!
I thought coppertone products weren’t that safe?
Hi Lesley,
Good question. I think it depends on the type of Coppertone product that you purchase. I looked at a few others, and it turned out that they included the dangerous chemicals (listed on the EWG’s website) so I steered clear of those. The specific one that I purchased didn’t have any of the bad chemicals. However, if you want to avoid chemicals all together; choose organic sunscreen (ex. Green Beaver), which is made up of zinc oxide and all-natural ingredients.
Thank you for the reply, it’s confusing as to why some coppertone have bad ingredients and others don’t?
Do you know of the best spray sunscreens, hard to catch my 2 year old to apply lotion!
I know! The best thing to do is make a list of the ‘bad’ ingredients, take it to the drug store, and just compare it to the ingredient list on the sunscreen you’re looking at. That will ensure you are buying safe sunscreen. As far as spray sunscreens go; the EWG actually recommends against them because it’s very easy to inhale them when you are spraying them (especially outside). I remember hating sunscreen when I was little too, but I think it’s just a battle that every mom has to fight – good luck and enjoy the great weather!