Green Sunscreens

My son’s new friend Charlie is closer to 83 than 3, but Brandon loves hearing all about the adventures he had in and around the water as a boy growing up in Atlantic City. When Charlie is done telling stories to Brandon, he always reminds him to put on sunscreen to avoid the kind of skin problems he has from having spent so much time in the sun without protection. Charlie would probably be amazed at all the sunscreen choices there are for kids these days.— But with so many options, how to choose? Like many parents, I prefer to use natural and eco-friendly options. Here are some of the brands I’ve found to work particularly well. They are all mineral-based and have none of the chemicals that can cause irritation and other potential health issues.

Kids UV. The designer of this SPF 30 natural sunscreen shows keen insight into the painstaking task of applying sunscreen to a child–it comes in pink and blue to make it fun! Save your energy and let your child paint themselves. The color goes away when fully rubbed in. $15.95 for 8 oz.

Badger. This no-nonsense zinc-oxide based cream has been rated #1 by the Environmental Working Group. It has a a mild scent of Chamomile and Calendula that moms will like too. $16 for 2.9 oz.

Blue Lizard. A particular favorite among parents whose children have fair skin, this fragrance-free Australian sunscreen won’t cause irritation. A unique feature is that the bottle turns pink when exposed to UV. $19.99 for 8.75 oz.

California Baby. This brand focuses on natural, allergen-free products and their sunscreen is great for sensitive skin. The Sunblock Stick is particularly handy for quickly protecting faces. $19.99 for 2.9 oz of lotion; $14.99 for .5 oz of sunblock stick.

Earth’s Best. It goes on thick and can be hard to rub in, but it works very well and I’ve heard from other parents that their kids have had no trouble with it after getting rashes from other sunscreens. $17.69 for 4 oz.