Sketchy chemicals and misleading labels could be hanging around in your cupboards in these unhealthy sunscreens for kids. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) in the US put together a list of the worst offenders and we’ve rounded them up for you here.
A few overarching dangers stick out among the list. First, avoid sunscreens with super high SPFs (be wary of anything over 50), which can lead to burns in little ones because they offer a false sense of security, so people don’t apply as often. And be on the lookout of oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate on ingredients lists. Oxybenzone is an ingredient found in 40 percent of sunscreens. It penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream, where it acts like estrogen. It can also cause allergic reactions in some kids. Meanwhile, retinyl palmitate, which is found in 16 percent of sunscreens, may “speed development of skin tumours and lesions, according to governmental studies,” says the EWG. So what should you look for in a sunscreen" Seek out a lotion with an SPF of 30 to 50 and apply regularly. The EWG advocates the lotion format because it’s easier to ensure you’re applying enough (sprays are less likely to offer a thick and even coating). And the organization says that mineral-only sunscreens are often a good bet. Look for the mineral ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are safe for kids and offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
When you know what to avoid, you&#...