summer : 3 natural sunscreens for the whole family
I grew up with the “slip, slop, slap” slogan emblazoned on my mind. Summer was a blend of pool days and balmy nights, bubble-o-bills and Sunday afternoon barbecues. We always had a big pump bottle of sunscreen in the laundry and we’d cover ourselves in it on those 30+ degree days. Then my brother and I would run barefoot across the asphalt to the neighbour’s pool and swim till we were wrinkly and exhausted.
Che and Poet have both inherited my milky white skin and I’m absolutely vigilant when it comes to sun protection. We only go to the beach in the morning or late afternoon, they always wear a hat and I prefer to dress them in light long-sleeved clothing than lather them in sunscreen. I’ve also been reading a little about the importance of good fats in your diet; how they can help build up natural sun protection in the skin. Coconut oil is getting a good wrap for an alternative to sunscreen but I’m not completely convinced just yet. And of course, we must be mindful of the importance and beauty of the sun and Vitamin D – absolutely essential for health and well-being Most health professionals recommend 20 minutes in the morning sun each day without protection.
I always carry a bottle of sunscreen in my bag so I’ve been looking into the best natural products available. Here’s my favourites, tried and tested (and perfect for those with sensitive skin*):
Soleo Organics : touted as the most natural sunscreen in the world, Soleo Organics is made in Australia from organic and all natural ingredients according to Naturopathic principles. There’s absolutely no nasties in this lotion; it’s active ingredient is 22.3% zinc oxide combined with a lovely combination of beeswax, macadamia nut oil and roman chamomile (to name a few). Soleo is completely water resistant, 30+ spf and contains organic botanical extracts to moisturise the skin. $26.60 for 80g
Invisible Zinc – Junior Clip-on : I’m pretty sure a beach-going muma designed this bottle. Perfect for attaching to your keys, bag or pram, this sunscreen offers the UV protection of Zinc Oxide without any chemical UV actives or parabens. It’s low irritant and feels good on your skin – 30+ spf. $19.95 for 60g
Wotnot : 100% good for you, this broad spectrum protection is one of many fabulous products from this Australian brand (I love their facial wipes). Wonderfully natural, imbued with the scent and holistic properties of organic beeswax and aloe, Wotnot is smooth and gentle on the skin and perfect for little ones. However, it’s not waterproof so you do need to reapply after swimming – 30+ spf. $25.95 for 135g
If you’re looking for light summery clothing for children I highly recommend Hazyjane’s vintage pants, kurta tops, dresses and hats from Haveli Design and linen and cotton goodness from Kokonor.
*of course, if you do experience skin irritation from sunscreen, you should stop using it immediately. Most sunscreens aren’t suitable for babies under 6 months of age – always check the bottle for recommendations.
Thank you!
I have been searching for reviews of sunscreens for my toddler and this is the first I have come across!
I hate the thought of slathering my baby in chemicals but I wasn't sure what the alternative was!
I think Toddler C might get some sunscreen for Christmas…it definitely falls in the something he needs category!
Enjoy the beach!
This is so helpful, and just what I've been looking for! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing these. You did my research for me! Which did you go with?
I have all three! Che takes one to school, I keep one in my bag and Daniel takes one to work x
We,ve been using the Soleo, which has done a great job so far, ny only problem is that I would not mind something that is easier to apply, like a roll-on formula for example. Having a toddler I have been surching for that for more than a year now but it does not exist (natural and roll-on in one bottle). I will try the Invisible Zinc now (I have bEen using their tinted face sunscreen), thank you for the review!
This is very helpful Jodi, thank you. Being farmers we are outdoors with our children constantly and it is good to get some recommendations on sunscreen and good quality, summery clothing. I have got a little behind with my comments lately but I always read your beautiful posts.
Thank you for this – I'm always on the lookout for a good sunscreen that does'nt bring out my eczema – will give the naturopath one a go.
As you know we LOVE coconut oil here. Abbie has very fair skin….she never wears sunscreen and never burns.
As you mention diet plays such an important part, as does what you put on your skin. Sunlight targets and oxidizes unsaturated fats (such as vegetable & seed oils) leading to lipofuscin (age pigmentation), cell damage and lots more.
Lovely review and these options are far better than anything else on the market. (Although at least two of them contains vegetable/seed oils.)
I'll be posting my thoughts on sunscreen this week 🙂
Natalie x
How does coconut oil work to protect the skin Natalie? – (you well-researched thing you) x
Coconut oil (a saturated fat) consumed or applied to the skin will reduce the aging effects of sun exposure and have an antioxidant effect against stored polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and thus limit damage to the skin.
I do not recommend using coconut oil if you don't address your diet first. Most people's diet will be high in PUFA – this includes vegetable oils (canola, sunflower, safflower, flax, almond etc), nuts, seeds, grains, poultry, fish oil, eggs from factory-farmed chickens.
My recommendation…..address diet, once you feel comfortable that your diet has minimal PUFA and rich in good saturated fats such as butter and coconut oil, then try not wearing any sunscreen. Build up your time in the sun gradually, using coconut oil if you like (often I only use on my face) and see how you feel/ do you burn or go red. Staying in the sun for hours on end is not healthy either – a little common sense always comes in handy.
…..there is lots of research against mainstream thinking on sunscreen out there…..you just need to find it!
Hope this is helpful and provides a different perspective.
x
I've been using coconut oil as a body moisturiser for the past few months and only in the last few weeks did I realise that I hadn't burnt while in the sun. We've had amazing weather here in Northern NSW and not once have I noticed I was burnt. I love having baby soft skin with a golden tan. LOVING coconut oil! I am a little hesitant to use on my 14 month old though! I use a natural sunscreen when we're out in the heat of the day but don't bother the rest of the time. I'm all for her getting plenty of morning/afternoon rays and all that Vitamin D goodness.
it is hard to find objective info on non-chemical sunscreens, especially for kids, so its great to see your review here. I haven't tried the other two but we are big fans of invisible zinc and are proud that in 'no-ozone layer-burn in 15 minutes nz' our 3 year old has never been sunburnt despite living outdoors. i am rather dubious about coconut oil and would suggest that adults try it out on themselves before using it to protect little ones (i burned)
We are vigilant too – in some ways it helps to be a redhead who just does not tan. There was never any question of lying out in the sun smothered in coconut oil. I think my skin is happy for that. x
Coconut oil is very popular in the (Pacific) islands, I personally don't use it. I've been using the Australia Cancer Council approved sunscreens but I'll definitely think about making the switch to Soleo, or to at least give it a try. I spend a lot of time in the sun, growing up in Fiji also meant we were exposed to less information and awareness campaigns regarding the dangers of the sun's rays. I use sunscreen and a hat but very rarely cover up. Thanks for the recommendations Jodi xoxox
This is exactly what I was thinking about the other day – I was rubbing Cancer Council sunscreen onto Nora (my 9 month old) thinking about all the chemicals in it, but decided it was better to use than risk her pale baby skin being burnt on an outing (she had long sleeves and a hat as well of course).
I'll be trying out your recommendations.
I also find Natalie's mention of coconut oil and diet fascinating.
Fabulous, relevant topic for discussion. Thanks Jodi.
Sunscreens always make me face break out. Out of the three which do you think would be the best option to try to avoid this. So far I have always reverted to my make-up that has a 30 plus factor in built, but this makes me look like a try hard on the beach with a full face of make up on. I would love to find an alternative that is friendly to my skin,
http://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
See Vicki's comment below!
Great post, Jodi, and some wonderful recommendations.
We love Wotnot here! Perfect for Sam's sensitive and milky-white skin, and fulfils my desire for eco-friendly, organic products that also smell divine!
I am also intrigued by Natalie's comments on coconut oil/change in diet, etc – I'm off to do some research!
Sar x
So lovely for me to read being in winter here in America! I have experimented with coconut oil as a sunscreen and "thelittlegnomeshome" sounds like she has it right with diet first..I've read that a lot in my research, and I've found I have to reapply really often– like every 15-20 minutes for it to be effective.. or basically it's like you're a giant oiled chicken roasting in the sun–hahaha (which I've been before without reapplying and it was not pretty)– yay for summer!
Great review Jodi! Have you ever tried any Apivita product? I started using a moisturizer and I'm loving it (98% natural, lots of organics ingredients and holistic products)
You've reminded me that I really must get another tube with the holiday season approaching. We only use natural here too. Julia was once slathered in a chemical laden sunscreen at preschool and she developed painful welts. I had to bring in her own bottle of natural sunscreen which she had no problem with (it is the only thing she has ever reacted to). I admit that I haven't been so vigilant with our cooler weather and my kiddies tendencies to go olive – must do something about that!
Can't go past Soleo Organics Jodi….I get terrible heat rash only made worse by the irritants in normal sunscreen. A dermatologist put me onto this sunscreen around 6 years ago and I love it and now don't use any other….so glad to see it has come out as one of the best.
They're now on my shopping list! Thank you Jodi. 🙂
Ronnie xo
Thanks Jodi, I struggled to find something natural for my bub so this post is great, although I did stumble across MooGoo which we really liked.
I'm really keen to try these…for myself mostly! I have not been able to find anything that doesn't turn me into a rashy mess….:)
Thanks for you're advice Jodi. Do you use sunscreen for your face daily? Just wondering.:)
x
Thank you Jodi, they're now on my shopping list! Sun vigilance has been instilled in me since a very young age, and it's fabulous that there are now products that both protect the skin and don't contain harmful additives.
Hi Jodi, this is a great list – but just wondering is this a sponsored post? You seem to do alot of product type posts these days – which is fine – and I am really a big fan of your blog and your writing – but I would really like to know if something is sponsored (or stuff sent as a gift for review, bit like an advertorial)? Again – please don't see this as a criticism (there's absolutely nothing wrong with sponsored posts or making money from your blog) if anything, its just that I think your writing and your blog is very authentic and it would be in keeping with that to say upfront whether something is sponsored or not.
Hi Jo,
No it's not a sponsored post (from what I can gather it's actually quite wrong – in terms of media law – to be paid for a post without labeling it as 'sponsored') I started doing a bit of research around sunscreens because I was genuinely interested and thought it may be something that my readers would like to know about. But I figured that trialing one or two sunscreens wasn't going to make for an honest or well-researched story so I contacted a few companies and requested samples (standard practice in magazines but also because I couldn't afford 10 bottles of sunscreen!). I was sent 10 different sunscreens and these three came out as my favourites, for their natural properties and how they felt/worked on the skin.
In regards to editorial/advertorial…..I will always mention if I have been sent a product by labeling it as c/o (care of). Most of the products I do mention however usually come from a place of genuine love and respect for the company/creative.
Thank you for asking…and for your kind words about my writing. I'll maintain my integrity, promise x
Thanks for taking the time to reply, Jodi…you are one of the most 'authentic', real voices in blog-land I think and I really respect and admire your opinions and recommendations and your writing always feels a bit like a warm, comforting cup of tea, inducing calmness xx
I've got to say, I'm not a believer in sunscreen, and I've only very rarely used it on Olive (and only ever zinc in a natural base). The theory I buy into against conventional sunscreen use is that the chemicals in it actually damage your skin cells, making them more susceptible to cancer! And skin cancer rates are climbing, even though almost everyone employs so much slip, slop slap. But, who knows – I may yet die of skin cancer! Kellie xx
I went out today and bought Invisible Zinc and Wotnot sunscreens.
Thanks so much for your recommendations, Jodi! 🙂
Ronnie xo
Hey Jodi. I was interested in this topic last summer and found this great article from Sarah Wilson :: http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2012/02/sunscreen/# She lists these same products and others with a little more detail on the ingredients etc, in case you didn't see it and this interests you further. I love your write-up and your lovely response to comment #28 Joanna. happy summer! Fi xxx
I have really been happy with all the natural sunscreen I have been using lately. These seem like great products