What kind of sunscreen is the safest?

You might NEED sunscreen (think beach days, acne, photoaging)

On my website, Eromey, I wrote in detail about the truth about sun exposure. While I covered the basics, like:

1. The sun is NOT the enemy.
2. We NEED sun exposure to get adequate vitamin D & critical photo products.
3. RESPONSIBLE sun exposure is critical – which includes AVOIDING sunscreens with dangerous, misleading, or ineffective ingredients and opting for sun barriers when needed instead (clothing + shade)

Yet I recently found out that there is a LOT I didn’t know about sunscreen, and my sister Emmey, my beauty products expert, along with my brilliant mom Alexis – yep, even the experts need experts did the legwork on the research to help shorten my learning curve.

Thanks to them, I am now positive that the sun exposure/protection issue is even more complex than I thought.

“It’s complicated,” Emmey told me. (Surprise, surprise!) “You’ve got to know how sunscreen is made to choose not just the safest brand, but the safest TYPE of protection within that brand.”

I asked my experts what more we needed to know about sun exposure and intelligent sun protection besides what I discussed in Eat the Yolks, and here’s what I learned:

1. I’m RIGHT about healthy sun exposure – and avoiding overexposure is critical. (I LOVE being right.)
2. However, let’s be honest: most of us want to be out in the sun longer than our skin allows (translation: burn city).
3. This means we need a SAFE sun barrier. If you don’t want to cover up, like in 90-degree heat, or if there’s no shade to be found, like on most beaches, it’s time for a safe sunscreen option.

This is especially important for ACNE-PRONE skin and for protection against photodamage.

Overexposure can damage the skin’s fragile oils and make photodamage, acne, and irritation WORSE, so even if you hate sunscreen, get some safe stuff for your face.

Here’s what’s fascinating: 

I always thought that the “safest” kinds of sun protection, besides clothes and shade, were “sunblocks” – white, creamy, zinc-based lotions that don’t thoroughly rub in.

Those aren’t kind of sunscreen at all. No lotion or stick product is “kind of sunscreen” anymore because “sunBLOCK” implies something that doesn’t need to be reapplied. And you should ALWAYS reapply any sun protection product.

“No product you apply can be trusted to BLOCK the sun,” Emmey said.

“The term sunBLOCK implies a product that doesn’t require reapplication, and that’s just a liability issue – absolutely nothing is foolproof.

“Your choices are between chemical sunscreens (not good) and physical zinc-based sunscreens, which are safer, but you must choose wisely.”

Originally, decades ago, “screens” were only protected against UVA, but they are now required to offer some UVA and UVB protection. This is where the term “broad-spectrum” came from – the alternative to sunblock still indicated protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Most kind of sunscreen on the market are chemical (anything WITHOUT zinc oxide—these use “-benzene” ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone—avoid!), including Neutrogena, Coppertone, and Banana Boat, not only lie about their SPF (anything over 50 is pretty much nonsense, as SPF maxes out between 30 and 50) but worse, the chemical sunscreens also use ingredients that may become MORE dangerous when they’re exposed to UV light.

Emmey says that “the safest sunscreen you can buy is a physical (zinc-based) sunscreen—but you’ve got to choose the right kind.

“Avoid physical sunscreens with titanium dioxide, which might also change light exposure. Zinc oxide only!”

The CRAZY reason you should use a zinc-based STICK

This is what blew my mind.

Emmey says, “The number one mistake people make when choosing safer sunscreen is that they do not realize when the ingredients have been separated.

“With many lotions, the zinc separates from the suspension ingredients – and we don’t even realize it! Sun products are difficult to mix up – they don’t shake well – so it’s a real risk.”

Here’s where my jaw dropped: It’s so simple, yet I never even thought about it.

Since so many zinc sunscreens nowadays are meant to leave less of a white, thick appearance, it’s even harder to tell whether we’re adequately covered.

Add that to suspension ingredients that don’t maintain the blend of zinc with carrier ingredients, and you’ll get compromised protection.

That’s why zinc-based sunscreen STICKS are ideal!

“The suspension ingredients are much more solid – and often, more skin-conditioning – so you’re more likely to get the coverage you need, especially on the face.

I’ve been a convert to sticks ever since!

(Oh, and I never use spray sunscreens, which also have inhalation risks.)

Try the 3 Bs: Beautycounter, Badger or Babo

Sadly, there aren’t a lot of physical sunscreens that I can recommend – because

1. Many brands don’t have a stick option or
2. Some of the quality brands appear to be tested on animals, which is a no-no in my book or
3. The base ingredients could be better.

Here are the zinc-based physical stick sunscreens I like:

1. Beautycounter has a face AND a giant body stick with a not-too-high, easily blendable zinc concentration plus solid suspension ingredients in an antioxidant-rich base. This is my favorite for adult skin, AND I use it on my little one, too, in addition to Badger Balm. (I have sensitive, acne-prone skin that I’m trying to protect from photodamage as much as possible, and the size of the face stick makes it easy to apply to my kiddo. She even loves trying to do it herself.)
2. Badger Balm, a favorite of mine for many years, makes excellent products across the board. Their stick is no exception, and it’s fantastic for kids and adults. Find out more here.
3. Babo Botanicals’ stick contains 20% zinc oxide, which is excellent for kids’ sensitive skin. Find out more here.

Other innovative ways to protect your skin:

1. Primal Life Organics has an AMAZING protective stick called Sun Up Ultra. It contains Zinc Oxide and Red Raspberry Seed Oil, which are among the most photoprotective ingredients on the planet. It’s fantastic, and although it doesn’t have an assdoesn’tPF (the only reason it’s not in my top is that I was only reviewing SPF sunscreens), it has worked for us perfectly on even super sunny days at the beach.
2. Take an astaxanthin supplement through the summer. This may protect you from sunburn and sun damage from the inside. 
3. A vitamin E (mixed tocopherol) supplement helps protect the skin from damage. Most are derived from soy so that you can tolerate trace amounts. I do well with a brand called Unique E.
4. Eat plenty of coconut oil!
5. Use topical products designed to keep skin healthy and robust in the summer. Primal Life Organics’ before- and after-sun products are excellent, and Primally Pure also has a fantastic balm that contains zinc oxide.