Life
Summer is fast approaching, which means protecting your skin (and your family's) against the sun's harmful rays is crucial. But your usual sun care routine may need some updates. Now that the new 2018 Safe Sunscreen Guide from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) is out, it's the perfect time to make sure you and your kids are avoiding any unnecessary sun exposure, and keeping yourselves protected when you are outside. As it turns out, there's a lot to learn about sunscreen, even for dedicated SPF fiends like me.
In its 12th annual guide, the EWG presents safety and efficiency ratings for over 1,000 sunscreens, lip balms, and general moisturizers with any kind of stated sun protection. It's an impressive database with a ton of information, and some of the ratings might surprise you. "The majority of sunscreens available in the U.S. aren’t as good as most consumers think they are," said Sonya Lunder, senior research analyst at EWG. By browsing their site you can quickly see that some sunscreens, even expensive ones, are not rated as effective as others. Huge disparities in SPF values, as well as the inclusion of potentially harmful ingredients, can make shopping for sunscreen tricky and confusing.
To help you and your family prepare for more time outside, here are a few of the top-rated sunscreens from the EWG. There are many other brands and formulas with high ratings, too, so feel free to browse their database for more options.
FOR BEACH OR SPORTS
FOR DAILY MOISTURIZING
FOR KIDS
Sunscreen isn't the best or only option when it comes to sun protection, however. Here is some advice about what to look for, as well as what to avoid, in your next sunscreen purchase, as well as some additional sun safety advice. With a little guidance, you and your family can stay safe in the sun all summer long.
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Read The Label
What does that ingredient list on the back of your sunscreen even say? The sunscreen label decoder from the EWG will help you tell which ingredients are useful, and what's just there for marketing. It's especially important to pay attention to the application directions as well, because many people don't apply enough sunscreen.
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Watch Unburned Skin, Too
Even if you don't get a sunburn, you may still experience skin damage from sun exposure. Some lower-quality useful sunscreens may prevent your skin from burning, but offer insufficient protection against UVA rays, which may lead to melanoma. A safe, quality sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum, lasting protection is the best, as noted by the EWG.
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Use Clothes And Shade As Protection
When it comes to sun protection, sunscreen is kind of the last resort. Covering up with clothes, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and seeking shade are also crucial components of sun protection, according to Burns. Staying indoors is always an option, too.
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Keeping Children Safe From Sun Damage Is Crucial
Sure, it takes a little time to review the database for a child-friendly sunscreen that meets your needs, but its importance for your child is almost impossible to overstate. "Children are more vulnerable to sun damage and the number of sunscreen options that contain worrisome ingredients or offer inferior sun protection is especially of concern. Getting severe sunburns as a child can double a person’s lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer,” said Burns. Enjoy your time in the sun as a family, but be sure to lather up with a quality sunscreen first and reapply often.