(updated July 2023)
Can we talk about skin protection for a hot sec? And I don’t just mean from the sun, although it’s important to be smart about that. I mean educated protection from all things harmful (like the chemicals and so many toxic ingredients in most conventional sunscreens).
Because if you ask me, protecting your skin from the sun by slathering it with chemicals and toxins that absorb right into your skin and bloodstream is *sorrrrta*un-doing the whole point of what you’re trying to accomplish.
It’s inefficient. And we alllll know how I feel about efficiency. 🙂 We just don’t have time for it, TBH (all of us!).
But truth— most conventional sunscreens are filled with fake fragrances, hormone-damaging chemicals and toxins that I don’t even want to try to pronounce, let alone hear the laundry list of side effects.
Did you know that’s why most pediatricians recommend not even using sunscreen on babies until they’re at least 6 months old? Of course, they don’t want your baby out in the sun for hours completely unprotected, but they’d rather babies have some limited exposure to the sun rather than absorb sunscreen chemicals into their easily penetrable skin at such a young age.
Here’s the thing, babies aren’t the only ones we need to protect. All of our skin absorbs what we put on it— lotions, makeup, personal care items, perfumes, deodorant, etc…. These products enter our bloodstream through the skin (aka the biggest organ in our body), and those ones with harmful chemicals can affect so many other areas of our health, like hormones (especially so), gut, energy levels, create cell mutations that can cause a number of different cancers and autoimmune problems and more when used regularly.
Luckily, there are such better options on the market now, so that you can have both: protecting your skin from aging and sun damage AND doing so without exposing yourself to hundreds of chemicals baking into your skin and pores.
Our skin is the biggest organ in the body, and long summer days outside can have a big impact, so let’s not add to it with one more thing, yeah? I promise, your skin will thank you when make the switch to more non-toxic (but super effective) natural sunscreens!
Your skin will thank you. Your body will thank you. And your health will thank you later.
My favorite natural sunscreens:
- Let’s start with MY FAVORITE, & daily wear in the summer: this face SPF with a slight tint & coverage: this Ilia Serum SPF. Literally the perfect combo of a natural SPF 40 and a little color for coverage (I use the color Paloma).
- Aer Taos SPF 30: this is a new one on the market and I love it for all-over body (mama’s own tube). It’s slightly thicker but not too thick, and goes on a tiiiiny bit white thanks to the actual zinc, but it quickly disappears. This one feels luxurious and I love the packaging too.
- Pipette Baby Sunscreen SPF 50: yes… for me too. This one is my favorite more affordable one… but it always sells out last in late spring. So save it & look for it in the off-seasons, but there is a reason it sells out quick. It’s perfect for babies, yes, and kids, and I love it for my own skin too, esp for the first sun exposures of the year in that later spring/early summer time.
- All Good Sport Sunscreen: It’s SPF 30 and I love that it’s water resistant for long days on the water and being outside in the heat of summer! Also check out their Sport Spray in SPF 30 and Kids Spray.
- Cocokind Daily Sunscreen: This is a GREAT budget option for daily SPF for your face. It’s SPF 32 (random but I appreciate the specificity!), totally clean and mineral based to help protect from sunburn and early aging.
- Love Sun Body Mineral Sunscreen: Mmmmm, this one SMELLS like vacation (but without the phony, fake fragrances). It’s water resistant and SPF 30.
- Kinship Sunscreen: this one is one of the highest rated & reviewed newer brand and options on Credo, and for good reason- it’s clean, and it works! Also check out the Sport version here if you’ve got extended or active time in the sun on the agenda.
- Mara SPF Skin Serum: an amazing, luxury-feeling option for a great everyday, under makeup wear that also improves the look and texture of skin as you wear it. Think like a light shimmery glowy look, more like an oil (which I love for summer).
FOR KIDS & BABIES:
- Think Baby Sunscreen: For your toddlers & kids (over 6 months of age) who you want to protect from the sun (and scary chemicals in other sunscreens). This one has super clean ingredients and SPF 50+!
- Babo Baby Mineral Suncreen Spray: This is my favorite, I looove the spray application too. So perfect for babies & little ones.
- Babo Baby Sunscreen Stick: I love the stick for harder to reach spots like faces or while you’re on the go.
Love this post and want to keep educating yourself? Check out my favorite recommended non-toxic & natural products here, in these posts:
Deodorant (see post here on 5 tips to make the switch to natural deod, and here on how to do an armpit detox)
Makeup & Beauty (see post here)
Skincare (see post here)
Haircare (see post here)
Household cleaning (see post here)
The Simply Real Baby Food Files Are HERE!
Help your baby learn to love healthy real foods, develop advanced taste-buds, reduce any food allergies down the road and help build their immune system and gut in such a strong way for the rest of their life…..all made EASY (yes, truly). This guide walks you through exactly what to feed your baby (and when and why), from 4 months onward! Download your copy here and save yourself a year’s worth of research and time. I’ve got you, mama!