Baby Safe Sunscreens and Summer Fun

Summer is here, finally! Whip out those beach chairs, inflatable kiddie pools, flip flops, and lots of sunscreen...right? Well, yes and no. What you don't know about sunscreen can hurt you and your kids. Many moms, including myself, are concerned about the safety of mainstream sunscreens on the market today - and we have every reason to ask questions on behalf of our little ones, that's what Mamapedia is for! Many moms on that website ask sunscreen questions, like this one "Sunscreen for a 4 month old?" I can certainly relate since my daughter is turning 4 months in just a week.

First let's make it clear that generic sunscreen is not safe not only for babies, but for adults as well. Sunscreen active ingredients such as oxybenzone, methylparaben, and homosalate are known carcinogens and/or endocrine disruptors whose chemical reactions are only intensified with heat. Common baby sunscreens such as Banana Boat, No-AD, Huggies, and Coppertone, all contain at least one of those ingredients. Even I had an unfavorable reaction to sunscreen, that is when I started researching the ingredients, long before I had my own child. When I was out in the sun without sunscreen everything was fine, with sunscreen on the other hand I had a horrible blistery rash everywhere I applied it.

Thanks to the Internet and the ongoing environmental work of EWG, we now have the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Data Base to refer to for skin care safety. Sad as it is, our government does not regulate skin care products - applied to the largest organ of the human body and instantly absorbed in thee bloodstream, that is actually worse than ingesting them! Before you buy any sunscreen check Skin Deep for its safety.

Second, let's address the link between the sun and cancer. Few health recommendations have had as damaging an effect as the advice that you should never leave your house without sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen effectively blocks your body’s production of vitamin D, which happens naturally when your skin is exposed to sunlight. In fact, sunscreens reduce vitamin D production by as much as 97.5 to 99.9 percent. Vitamin D is absolutely essential to proper functioning of the immune system, so imagine the damage.

Dr. Mercola writes:

"The widespread acceptance and adoption of this faulty doctrine has contributed to severe vitamin D deficiency on a grand scale, which in turn claims about one million lives a year from 16 different types of cancer and other common diseases such as:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis

However, that’s not to say that sunlight can’t be harmful. Of course it can be. Anyone who has ever gotten a sunburn knows that sunlight, at a high intensity over a long enough period, most certainly can damage your skin."

So effectively, the best 'sunscreen' is not spending too much time in the sun and avoiding sunburns. For babies who are out and about try to alternate the time spent in the shade and in the sun. You can use a beach parasol for seaside or backyard babies who are not walking yet and are close to you on a blanket or in a play yard. On days that are not too hot you can also use protective clothing such as Solartex. Of course you should use common sense and wear a hat if you are outside for a while as well as stay hydrated with plenty of water. If you absolutely have to use sunscreen for more active children or a baby who is inevitably in the sun for a good part of the day, there are healthier alternatives. Find a sunscreen that has zinc oxide as the active ingredient (yep, like the one in diaper cream!). Some good ones are Soleo Organics, California Baby, Elemental Herbs, and Jason Natural Cosmetics (Earth's Best).

It is also important to note the difference between UVA and UVB ultraviolet light. UVB is the ‘good guy’ that helps your skin produce vitamin D. UVA is considered the ‘bad guy’ because it penetrates your skin more deeply and causes more free radical damage. The widespread advice about not spending time outdoors between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm is very peculiar because that is exactly the time you get more beneficial UVB rays. It is actually easier to get a sunburn when the sun is 'less hot' and more abundant in UVA during the early morning and late afternoon/evening hours.

That concludes our lesson on the 'essential for life' sun, sunscreen ingredients, and most importantly - the health of your children! Please come back for more later and consume another summer lesson byte about insect repellent in our next post. Have fun outdoors, make friends with the sun, and balance your outdoor play in the rays!

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as medical advice. Seek the advice of a trusted and qualified health care professional.

Sources: CNN Health July 1, 2008
Organic Consumers Association June 29, 2008
Dr. Mercola