It’s sunscreen season at last. It should have started well over a month ago, but thanks to the deluge of rain during the months of June, it’s only started in earnest now.

So how do you choose your sunscreen, or the sunscreen for your kids?
Sadly, many of the products on the market designed to keep us healthy may end up doing just the opposite. According to the Environmental Working Group’s 2009 Sunscreen Guide, 3 of 5 brand name sunscreens either don’t protect skin from sun damage or contain hazardous chemicals – or both. Some of the worst offenders are the brands that we see in every store – Coppertone, Banana Boat & Neutrogena. They are loaded with hormone disrupting chemicals and nano-particles ending up straight in our bloodstreams. We really should think twice about buying whatever is on the shelf. Yikes.

We know we need sunshine for Vit. D synthesis in our bodies, but slathering up with sunscreen blocks our ability to do this. We, like plants need sunshine in order to grow, and be happy. You innately KNOW this when you step outside on a beautiful, cloudless day, and instantly feel your spirit lifted. How do we reconcile the natural need for sunlight with the ever present threat of skin disease, and premature aging caused by the suns rays?

We do this by making sure we get around 15 minutes of good sun exposure a day, which is enough for our bodies to be able to synthsize the Vitamin D we need. After that, sunscreen. And preferably one that works, and is not going to CAUSE skin cancer, or other health problems. These not only carry the lightest chemical load, but actually offer comprehensive protection from both UVA & UVB rays (most sunscreens only protect against one)

Skin is our largest organ, absorbing all that we put on it. When things like nano-particles are introduced into body care products – like sunscreen – we run a very real risk of exposing ourselves to highly toxic ingredients. The whole point of sunscreen is to protect us, not harm us. But manufacturers of these products can rarely, if ever, vouch for the safety of their ingredients.

The best bet is to choose sunscreens that contain the least amount of toxic chemicals, but are still effective against the sun’s rays.

Here are the top 5 sunscreens from the EWG’s Top Ten list:

1. SOLEO ORGANICS SUNSCREEN ORGANIC CHEMICAL FREE SUNSCREEN, SPF 30+

2. BADGER SUNSCREEN, SPF 30

3. PURPLE PRAIRIE BOTANICALS SUN STUFF, SPF 30

4. UV NATURAL SUNSCREEN, SPF 30+

5. MEXITAN SUNSCREEN LOTION, SPF 50

I’ve personally not tried any of these products and while most of these have positive reviews the kinds of complaints for more “natural” sunscreens all seem to be the same. The biggest complaint is that of feel. Because these products don’t rely on chemical emulsifiers, their consistency can be less than ideal. They may be difficult to rub in, or leave a white cast to your skin. Go to your local health food store, see what they carry, and if they have tester bottles to try.

Check on the EWG’s guide to see where your favorite sunscreen rates! If you have any favorites, let me know!