The chemicals in sunscreen penetrate deeper, making newborns more vulnerable to contact dermatitis (skin reactions, like rashes), allergies, or inflammation. Thus, it is wise to avoid any ingredients that could cause babies problems. Consumer Reports has advised against spraying all sunscreen on your kids.
Not all sunscreens are created equal. Chemical filter sunscreens were developed for their ease of use and inexpensive ingredients. These products typically include a combination of two to six of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Despite concerns from the FDA, oxybenzone is still legal and is used in some of the most commercially popular sunscreen brands available.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention concluded a study (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) in 2008, where 96.8% of urine samples that had been collected and examined were shown to contain oxybenzone.
This means that if you have used sunscreen with oxybenzone, your body has stored it in fatty tissues for up to a few days. Toxicology experts are concerned that there is a link between oxybenzone, hormone disruption and allergies.
Avobenzone is not stable when exposed to ultraviolet light. Avobenzone’s instability issues tend to become even worse when it is mixed in a formula with one or both of the mineral active sunscreen ingredients. Several manufacturers have combined avobenzone with trademarked stabilizing compounds to increase its effectiveness. These additional chemical compounds may cause skin irritation and other yet-undiscovered problems.
There is strong evidence that sun exposure and sunburns during childhood multiply the risk of one day developing skin cancer, including melanoma. While melanoma still rarely develops before age 20, incidence in children and teens is rising rapidly. The skin of all infants (not just those who have fair skin) is particularly vulnerable to sun damage. This is partly because they haven’t yet developed all the melanin — the natural skin pigment that provides some sun protection — that they will have when they get older.
It’s best to dress your baby regularly in a brimmed hat and lightweight clothing that fully covers the arms and legs. The Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend using mineral sunscreen formulas for baby’s sensitive skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a water-resistant mineral sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to their younger children’s skin. Mineral sunscreens are made with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, sit on your skin and reflect light and block the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin Mineral Sunscreens are recommended for adults, children and babies 6 months or older, anyone with sensitive skin and for consumers that want safe and effective natural products. All of our mineral sunscreen formulas are broad spectrum, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic with 80 minutes water resistance.
Love Sun Body formulas offer truly effective sunscreens, meeting and exceeding the European Commission for UVA protection and the American FDA OTC regulatory requirements. They are the first and only sunscreens in the U.S. certified by Ecocert Cosmos Natural, the international standard for organic and natural cosmetics and skincare products. Love Sun Body was also recently given the best score of 1 out of 10 for safety and efficacy by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Love Sun Body sunscreen formulas are certified PETA Cruelty Free, Vegan and are reef safe with no eye stinging ingredients.