Face Off: Our Sunblock & Sunscreen Picks
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 09.14.07
1. Sunblock Vs. Sunscreen
Slathering yourself with sunscreen isn't the same thing as applying sunblock, a popular misconception surrounding sun protection. The key difference is how they work. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, sunscreens are chemicals that shield your skin by absorbing and/or reflecting both long- and short-wave ultraviolet rays from the sun, known as UVA and UVB, respectively.
Sunblock, on the other hand, is made of physical or inorganic ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that physically deflect harmful UV rays, daily exposure of which could cause wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer.
2. The Sun-Protection Factor
The "sun-protection factor" or SPF is the number on sunscreen labels that tells you the relative amount of sun protection that your sunscreen can provide you—or, more to the point, how long your skin can be exposed to the sun before it begins to burn. The EPA recommends sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15.
3. The Controversy
Sunscreen products on the shelves go largely unregulated, says the Environmental Working Group, which analyzed the safety and effectiveness of more than 700 name-brand sunscreens.
The Washington, D.C.-based non-profit found that a whopping 84 percent of 785 sunscreen products (with SPF ratings of 15 or higher) offered inadequate protection from the sun’s rays and/or contained suspect ingredients.
“Ironically, some popular sunscreen chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight and must be formulated with stabilizing chemicals,” noted EWG in a press release. “Others penetrate the skin and present significant health concerns.”
Of the 700-plus sunscreen products EWG scrutinized, it can recommend only 130. We picked the top 4 (all paraben-free) and slapped them on our skin to judge for ourselves.
Badger SPF 30 Sunblock ($15 for 2.9oz) is a broad-spectrum sunblock that comprises 20.5 percent zinc oxide, all-natural ingredients such as organic extra virgin olive oil, natural beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and cocoa butter, as well as essential oils such as lavender, Moroccan blue tansy, ylang ylang, and lime. You'll get a whiff of a orange-chocolatey aroma—strong but not overpowering.
Water-resistant (up to 40 minutes, according to the company), Badger's sunblock is also moisturizing, but not overtly so. The downside: As with most formulas containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, you do risk looking ghostly pale if you don't have fair Caucasian skin to begin with, although this sunblock blends in better than most we've tried. |
 Lavera Sun Block SPF 40 Neutral ($19.50 for 1.6oz.) is waterproof, fragrance-free, and was developed for people with allergies and extremely sensitive skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.
Titanium dioxide is the active protective ingredient, while organic primrose oil, organic aloe, and licorice sooth and nourish. Oily skin types, however, may find this sunblock a touch too emollient. |
 Australian-made and -owned UV Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+ ($16.90 for 1.7oz.) doesn't contain added fragrances—and it does, in fact, just smell like clay.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen containing zinc oxide, UV Natural is extremely creamy and moisturizing, to the point of being greasy to the touch, even after drying out—so only dry or mature skin types need apply. (A peek at the ingredients, which include macademia seed oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, and grapeseed oil, explains why.) It does get props, however, for not making us look like the Phantom of the Opera. |
 Admittedly our favorite of the four, Solar RX SPF 30+ Sunblock ($19.95 for 3.8oz.) is a broad-spectrum sunscreen with 16 percent uncoated nano-zinc oxide, the "nano" in the phrase referring to the fact that it contains particles less than 100 nanometers across.
Lightly moisturizing and non-pasty, the synthetic-chemical-free formula has a refreshingly short ingredients list that includes avocado, black cumin, carrot seed oil, and shea butter. It does have a sharp citrusy scent, however, and isn't waterproof or meant for vigorous exercise. |
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"Nonchemical" sunblock is not necessarily a good thing as far as your skin might be concerned.
While it's doubtlessy better for sensitive skin, sunblock can be a very bad idea for those prone to break-out, as it tends to clog the pores much more.
If you go a little further down the list, you can find ones that are much cheaper, such as the "sea and ski" ones.
Regarding that last entry: I think zinc oxide is a chemical. As are carrot seed oils, etc. Also, has anyone studied the effects of nano-sized particles of zinc oxide on skin? I'm guessing not.
Great post on sunblock and sunscreen. Love your blog it so helpful:-))
thanks Di
Leo,
We've seen these comments before. Yes ,we are all aware that zinc oxide and carrot seed oil are both chemicals. Typically when one is referring to chemicals in the "green" arena, they mean synthetic chemicals. The writer even says "synthetic-chemical-free". So your point?
With that said, the nano-issue is an important one to discuss.
@greenskeeper:
When in the "Green arena" the term chemicals is often used in a derogatory fashion and is meant to apply to, as you say, to synthetic chemicals in the belief that because they are all "natural" they must therefore by definition also be good for you. But this is an entirely artificial distinction.
Chemicals are chemicals, compounds are compounds, and they all have a range of effects, some beneficial. and, potentially, some harmful. Just because they may be "natural" or "synthetic" in nature doesn't change this fact, however much the "natural" business lobby might try to persuade you otherwise. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that you wouldn't want to consume too much of, for example!
I don't have any hope that this will ever change, but really we should all put this distinction between "natural" and "synthetic" TOTALLY to one side and focus instead on exactly what the beneficial and harmful properties of chemicals are through thorough testing and study, and then depend on that rather than finger-in-the-air hopes and assertions, which is largely where we are at present.
The "UV Natural Sunscreen" goes on like tree sap, is difficult to remove, and caused my husband to break out in a major rash which took a few days to heal. I found it irritating, but not to the same degree. Unfortunately, most mainstream brands contain carcinogenic ingredients, or don't provide enough protection. Great idea, but not fail-safe, especially at $16 bucks a pop. It was neither "creamy" nor "moisturizing" but very thick, pungent, and sticky. Not a product we'd recommend or ever buy again.
Zinc oxide is a chemical but then so is everything on the Planet Earth, Zinc Oxide ( Zincite ) or Titanium Di-Oxide Rutile are actually quite common components in Soil and I don't believe there are many of us that are allergic to the Ground.
As far as effective cheap sunblocks Go I use a South African product called KoolaSun SPF 25+ If I order it from South Africa the postage is a bit expensive and they don't seem to have agents in the UK. Cost for a litre Sunblock is about $45.00 USD if sent via economy Post. This is still a lot cheaper than I am paying in London. Lastly my Dermatologist advices use of a Sunblock with both Zincite and Rutile, as they have a synergist effect when used as UV Blockers.Zinc has anti-bacterial properties and might prevent skin break-outs that I have had with other Sunblocks.
Has anyone tried any of the Avalon Organics sunscreens? I would be interested in any opinions and information pertaining to these products.
Thanks
If anyone is interested in an easy to apply, safe, and natural sunscreen for families, check out the SPF 30 wipes from Shady Day. Not only do they eliminate the typical mess involved in applying lotion to kids, the wipes are eco + marine friendly. Look Ma, no parabens!
I apologize for the broken link in the previous post. Shady Day SPF 30 wipes may be found here
Hmm. I am very surprised to not see Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen. The Green Guide has just recommended Soleo as one of three reef friendly, water resistant, non chemical sunscreens. Additionally it is hypoallergenic, non-comodogenic (meaning it does not clog your pores), and is non-gmo.
as long as it keeps me from buring, it ok in my book
I have super pale skin that hates the sun and is sensitive to anything I put on it (so much for being a California girl) so I've tried pretty much everything.
My personal favorite is Jason Sunbrellas Natural Sun Care Kid's Sunblock (SPF 30+ or 46). It's completely Paraben free, PABA free and Nano-particle free. Plus it smells fantastic and goes on great...a little white, but then it blends in very easily. Lastly, it's not expensive. If you do a search on the internet you can find it for around $6 (US) for 4 oz. When you've got kids you go through this stuff like crazy and $20+ for 2oz is not an option.
does it make anyone else sick that one of this country's most notorious polluters, PG&E, gets to greenwash themselves by posting ads on here?
looking for a sunscreen that will minimize melasma damage.
thanks!