Our Classic Sunscreens use active ingredients (also commonly referred to as chemicals”) designed to absorb and dissipate UVA/UVB rays (by converting into heat), while our Mineral Sunscreens use mineral (also commonly referred to as physical”) active ingredients like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide to scatter and reflect UVA/UVB rays. The FDA says that there’s enough evidence to conclude that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide — ingredients that are used in mineral (sometimes called natural”) sunscreen products — don’t warrant the same health concerns as chemical sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone. Up-to-date pricing and reviews for Pregnancy Safe Sunscreens on the market can be found at the manyweekspregnant website.
Some of the products considered unsafe were not sunscreens, but rather facial and body lotions marketed with SPF protection. Sunscreens are the best option to block UV rays from damaging the skin, but are sunscreen products safe for use during pregnancy? Sunscreens fall into two categories : physical sunscreens (which reflect UV rays using titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) and chemical sunscreens (which absorb UV rays using ingredients like oxybenzone).
These compounds create a chemical reaction and work by changing UV rays into heat, then releasing that heat from the skin,” says Rhonda Klein, MD, and partner at Modern Dermatology The second type, physical blockers, (also known as mineral sunscreens) contain active mineral ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Because the skin on your belly stretches and becomes thinner during pregnancy, it is important to choose a broad-spectrum mineral (or physical) sunscreen containing non-nano zinc oxide, which naturally protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Learning how sun care products can affect you and your baby’s health, which sunscreen ingredients to avoid and what pregnancy-safe sunscreens to choose from will ease your mind.
The study authors strongly urge pregnant women to avoid using sunscreen products with oxybenzone in their first trimester, as well as women trying to conceive, since oxybenzone is a fat-soluble chemical that can linger in the body for weeks. Physical blockers make for excellent pregnancy-safe sunscreen, so look for ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide on the label rather than chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone or octinoxate, Greenfield advises. It is also a well-known fact that sunscreens with zinc oxide (20% or high) offer better protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Non-chemical sunscreens (also called physical sunscreens) that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are usually considered better options for those who are pregnant or simply have sensitive skin as these sunscreens lay on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays instead of being absorbed into the skin. Our natural screens are all physical sunscreens, and we use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for the safest form of protection. Steven Wang pointed out that you can’t just look at the ingredients on a sunscreen bottle and figure out how good the protection is. Though experts we spoke with agreed that zinc oxide and avobenzone are two of the best UV filters, how well they protect you depends not just on their amount in the sunscreen but also on the inactive ingredients in the formula that help these active ingredients stick to your skin (and for avobenzone, prevent it from breaking down).
Lucky for us greenies, the primary ingredients in natural sunscreens, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide both provide broad spectrum protection. Now that you know what types of sunscreen you should be looking for (physical/mineral zinc oxide sunscreen) and what types of sunscreen to avoid (chemical sunscreen), it’s time we got to our favorite pregnancy-safe sunscreens that all expecting mamas can feel comfortable and confident using throughout their pregnancy. Chemicals like oxybenzone that are found in chemical sunscreens work by absorbing into the skin and creating a chemical reaction that absorbs UV rays keeping them from ever penetrating the skin.
These pregnancy safe sunscreen options are healthy for both you and baby and are free from all potentially harmful ingredients like oxybenzone so you can feel confident knowing that you are protecting your skin with nontoxic sunscreen throughout your pregnancy. The former (using zinc or titanium dioxide) physically block UVA and UVB by sitting on top of the skin, while chemical sunscreens actually absorb the sun’s rays—which is about as terrifying as it sounds. The FDA has yet to rule on the safety of retinyl palmitate in skin care products, but EWG recommends that consumers avoid sunscreens containing this chemical.
7-fluid ounce tube of Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion with SPF 50 for superior broad spectrum protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays for your little one’s skin. There are very few makeup products with mineral sunscreen that offer protection over SPF 30 — even cult-favorite BareMinerals only offers SPF 15. This zinc oxide-containing powder from renowned sunscreen company, Supergoop, provides a high level of coverage in a powder formula that oily mamas especially love. We’ve rounded up all the info on how sunscreens work, whether they affect your baby, and which ones offer the best and safest sun protection for your pregnancy-sensitive skin.
One cause for concern is the Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby” sunscreen, described as being hypoallergenic and providing special protection from the sun and irritating chemicals.” One particular preservative in this product is methylisothiazolinone (MI), which is known to be a potent allergen and is considered unsafe by European standards. Sunscreens block UV rays by including one of three ingredients – oxybenzone, zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide. Colorescience offers pregnancy-safe sunscreen made with natural ingredients that nourish and protect your skin while keeping your baby safe.
Although many pregnancy websites actually advise using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sunscreens because they are not absorbed into the skin, there is research to show that these ingredients have reproductive and developmental effects in animals. And while most of the hair, skin, and makeup products you use are safe to continue during pregnancy, new research published in Reproductive Toxicology suggests that if you use certain chemical sunscreens it might be time to toss the tube. Sources: -changes-during-pregnancy/expert-answers/faq-20416440 -health/skin-changes-during-pregnancy/ -for-hyperpigmentation-during-pregnancy -and-uvb -protect-hair-tanning-bed/ -exposure-when-pregnant-what-s-important-to-know -birth/pregnancy/tanning/ – -trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/#.WwbiyUgvzIU -problem-with-vitamin-a/#.WsFhMXrwbcs -trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/#.WsACaHrwbcs -tanning-oil-works/
While sunscreens remain the best form of protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays, many contain questionable ingredients that can have adverse effects on you and your baby’s well-being. “Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, oxtinoxate, menthyl anthranilate, and oxtocrylene—ingredients in chemical sunscreens are not all classified under the FDA categories, but only applying physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is the safest,” says Queller. A second paper, also published this week by the scientists at Haereticus, reveals the dangers of applying chemical sunscreens to children under the age of 5. A review of 169 sunscreen products labeled as safe for use on babies and children found unsafe levels of six common chemical UV absorbers – all of which are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals – when applied according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
We’re often asked about whether products containing benzoyl peroxide, skin brightening ingredients, sunscreen actives or salicylic acid are safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Goddess Garden produces premium mineral sunscreen products that go on sheer and provide serious protection from the sun using only gentle ingredients that are safe for people and the planet. And if you want to use a mineral sunscreen, our tests show that California Kids Super Sensitive Lotion SPF 30+, Badger Active Natural Mineral Lotion SPF 30 (Unscented) and Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Lotion SPF 30 will offer some protection, although not as much as our top-rated products.
Mineral sunscreens have consistently underperformed in CR’s testing, not always testing at the claimed SPF label on the package and failing to provide adequate protection from either UVA or UVB rays. This chemical is widely used in sunscreens because it effectively protects against UV rays, those that are mostly responsible for sunburn (UVB) and skin cancer (UVA). Safety concerns about chemicals in sunscreens exist because these ingredients can be absorbed through the skin.
In chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone penetrates skin and acts like an estrogen in your body, which can disrupt a healthy pregnancy. There’s a lot wrong with conventional drugstore sunscreen, since it usually comes in the form of chemical sunscreen Chemical sunscreen not only reacts with UV rays on your skin to release heat and possibly irritate your skin, but also contains hormone disrupting ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. Because the minerals in physical sunscreens don’t repel UV rays as efficiently as chemical filters absorb them, it’s difficult to formulate a physical sunscreen with a high effective SPF, said Dr. Henry Lim, a Detroit-based dermatologist and Skin Cancer Foundation spokesperson.
For people who prefer a formula with only physical UV blockers (no chemical filters) or who need a reef-safe” sunscreen, we recommend Thinksport SPF 50+ Like our other picks, it’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes and offers broad-spectrum protection. Avobenzone, like zinc oxide, protects against UVA1—most other UV filters in chemical sunscreens do not. Physical sunscreens deflect UV rays using the active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, often in tandem.
I look for products that are made with real natural ingredients and use large particle physical sunscreen (Zinc Oxide is my top choice but I do have some on here with Titanium Dioxide as well). There is no strong scent, no thick greasy feeling and you can’t tell it’s on. Loving Naturals has Baby Sunscreen, and their Clear Body and Clear Face sunscreen but all are safe for use on babies 6 months and up. The price point is a bit higher but great products. SafeMama Sunscreen Criteria: All sunscreens I approved needed to be free of Parabens, Phthalates, PEG’s (polyethylene glycols), Propylene Glycol, SLS/SLES, and a bevy of other chemicals I won’t bother listing but basically, they should contain a considerable amount of natural ingredients.
Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection SPF 30 features all physical, non-chemical sunscreen ingredients. SunBoost ATB allows Josie Maran to use fewer sunscreen ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (which can be heavy on the skin and leave a white cast) while still achieving a high level of sun protection. Just to play it safe, all the sunscreens on this list are free of questionable chemicals and are excellent choices for SPF during pregnancy and beyond.
Some lab and mice studies have found that some organic UV filters, including oxybenzone, as well as ingredients including parabens and phthalates, which can be found even in sunscreens that use inorganic UV filters, are suspected endocrine disrupters : chemicals that interfere with our hormones. To put it simply, these are the types of sunscreens and chemicals that everyone should avoid, but especially pregnant and breastfeeding women. Chemical sunscreens are sunscreens that contain known harmful compounds like oxybenzone that have been found to be damaging to coral reefs, and capable of being absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream and even milk supply of pregnant and breastfeeding women!
Physical sunscreens are safe, non-toxic sunscreens that will protect against both UVA and UVB rays naturally, and would be considered “broad spectrum”. Don’t buy products with SPF values lower than 15, nor those without either zinc oxide or avobenzone for UVA protection. Products with sky-high SPFs may protect against sunburn but could leave your skin exposed to damaging UVA rays.
Bonus: Pair it with Seattle-based Kari Gran’s other skincare and makeup products, like the mineral foundation, which also contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, to get even more sun protection. Makers of mineral sunscreens, coral reef safe sunscreens , organic lip balms, all-natural bug repellents, and other powerfully pure body care products. Its excellent UVA UVB protection and strong overall safety record is why Badger has chosen oxide as the only active ingredient for our sunscreens.
ZINC-BASED, MINERAL FORMULA: Specially formulated to naturally protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays, this sunblock is oxybenzone and octinoxate free. There are a number of great sunscreens that can provide safe protection for your skin and for your baby during their critical time of early development. Featuring a 20 percent zinc oxide formula, this SPF 50 sunscreen offers maximum protection from harmful rays and is classified as very water resistant” — it provides protection for up to 80 minutes, even in the water.
Products that protect against UVA include ingredients such as avobenzone, octocrylene, titanium dioxide , zinc oxide, and benzophenones such as oxybenzone. Just remember, not all-natural sunscreens are created equal – make sure you choose one that provides broad-spectrum protection for maximum UV blockage and does not contain oxybenzone. You want the best for your baby, so it’s no wonder you want a natural sunscreen to avoid introducing harmful chemicals in your body.
This mineral sunscreen contains none of the harmful UV-absorbing chemicals, and the zinc oxide is non-nano, meaning the particles are not small enough to be absorbed into your skin. EWG gives BabyGanics Cover-Up Baby Sunscreen the low score of a 2. This is shocking since the product is loaded with bad ingredients such as octinoxate (a chemical-not mineral-sunscreen ingredient!), phenoxyethanol , polysorbate-60 , and lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 methicone BabyGanics Mineral Sunscreen Stick is a good bet, although it still contains a few ingredients of low concern, and probably utilizes micronized particles of zinc oxide and titanium oxide since it only specifies that it’s non-nano. It was long believed that the safest way to avoid sunburn was to use a natural sunscreen that contains barrier” ingredients, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be found in stores alongside sunscreens and products containing oxybenzone. Unlike zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which lie on the surface of the skin, products with oxybenzone permeate the skin allowing chemicals to absorb into the bloodstream. If you are seeking a facial sunscreen for pregnancy, our high factor SPF30 Facial Sun Cream offers gentle, safe UV protection and can be used year-round. Be sure to visit the manyweekspregnant for the best Pregnancy Safe Sunscreens on the market to buy.
Always opt for broad-spectrum sunscreens, which offer protection against UVA rays, in addition to UVB rays, both of which can cause skin cancer. The study found a link between oxybenzone—an organic compound used in chemical sunscreens which turn UV rays into heat and then release it from the body—and a birth defect called Hirschsprung’s disease. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, Broad Spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 30 and active ingredient of Zinc Oxide (18% or higher) do an excellent job of protecting your skin when applied properly.
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