Test it Out Thursday - Thinkbaby and Live Clean Sunscreen

Summer is just around the corner and I am really looking forward to the beautiful summer weather and sun! While it is very important to get your daily dose of Vitamin D via the sun... its not safe to go more than 20 minutes unprotected under those harsh UVA and UVB rays!

I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to look at some sunscreen options for both you and baby!

There are two basic kind of sunscreens on the market. The first ones are chemical based… and yes these again are toxic chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octocrylene etc. Primarily these chemicals absorb the rays of sunshine and change them into heat which is then released back into the environment from your skin… sounds logical enough!!! However, these chemical absorbers, like most other chemicals in cosmetic products, are hormone disruptors and possible carcinogens. So while your protecting yourself from skin cancer you might inadvertently be causing another one!

A popular brand especially for children is Water Babies by Coppertone.

This chemical sunscreen has some pretty big offenders in it like fragrance, methylparaben and propylparaben which we know are estrogen disruptors, toxic to your body systems and possible links to breast cancer. This product is also rated a 9 on the Think Dirty App!

Since skin cancer is on the rise we can’t go without sunscreen so that brings me to the second kind of sunscreen….

The second type of sunscreens are mineral based and instead of chemical absorbers they contain titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide which act as a physical barrier and reflects the UVA and UVB rays away from the skin! In the past sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide were very thick, left a noticeable white residue on the skin and didn't blend into the skin very well! However, today these mineral sunscreens are much more blendable, not as greasy as they once were and often don’t leave a white residue at all!

Thinkbaby and Live Clean are two mineral sunscreens that I have tried!

Thinkbaby was actually recommended to me by a friend and I was excited that it was rated a Zero on the Think Dirty App!

There is no avobenzone, oxybenzone or UV chemical absorbers. It contains non-nano particles which means that the particles are so small that they can’t be absorbed by the skin. It's also paraben, phthalate, PABA and 1,4 dioxane free, absorbs easily and it doesn’t have a greasy feel! The active ingredient in this sunscreen is Zinc Oxide and some of the non-active ingredients are jojoba oil, raspberry seed oil and aloe leaf juice which are very nourishing to the skin!

I am using the SPF 50 for my daughter but there are also SPF 30 versions both in stick and lotion varieties, as well as, a face sunscreen and options for both children and adults. So you can find the prefect sunscreen for every member of your family! These products can be purchased from Well.ca for about $20 a tube. It’s a bit pricey for 3 oz but well worth it!

Another great sunscreen option I have tried for my daughter is Live Clean Baby with an SPF factor of 45. The active ingredient is Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide and it too has skin loving ingredients like green tea extract, shea butter and aloe and cambe abyssinica oil which helps to keep the skin well hydrated and soft!

It is also paraben free, phthlate free and dye free and fragrance free, SLS, DEA, silicone, petroleum free and non-nano. Again Live Clean has adult and children products and you can buy them for about $16 directly from the local Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall… I use the Live Clean Sport Sunscreen for myself!

Of course with all sunscreens you have to remember to apply them liberally, 20 mins before sun exposure and reapply after 2 hours in the sun or 80 mins in the water. (I forgot to mention both Live Clean and Thinkbaby are water resistant up to 80 mins)!

Both of these products get two thumbs up from me so you can’t go wrong with either one of them. Try them both and see what right for you! Live Clean might be a more affordable option priced at about $16 for 4 oz while Thinkbaby’s is $20 for 3 oz. So the choice is up to you!

Here's to Safe Sunning!

Simply Truly Jenny…