The Environmental Working Group gives high marks to titanium-dioxide-based Sunny Days from kids’ natural-body-care-products-maker TruKid, and I do, too. Ranked among the top five sunscreens out of almost 1,000 brands EWG tested for safety and effectiveness, Sunny Days is free of parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate and synthetic fragrance. I absolutely love the creamy texture and yummy citrus scent—courtesy of natural grapefruit and yuzu oils. Plus, Sunny Days’ vitamin-packed formula includes organic aloe, organic pomegranate juice, and organic cucumber and green-tea extracts. With its 30+ SPF broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, USA-made Sunny Days stood up to the midday-rays test even while the tots splashed in the way-too-chilly-for-grownups surf. Cool.
Totally free of chemical UV-absorbers, zinc-oxide-based Soleo Organics is another EWG top pick, and another of my faves. Grapeseed, sunflower and vegetable oils give SPF 30+ Soleo a super-smooth texture, while macadamia oil gives it a sweet, mellow fragrance that doesn’t leave little ones with an unpleasant syntho-stink. Soleo is a great sunscreen for active families since its 22.3% zinc-oxide formula makes it super- protective and ultra-water-resistant. Maybe that’s because it was developed by an Australian naturopath and is made in Australia, where ozone depletion means UV exposure is a major problem for young and old alike. Whatever the inspiration behind Soleo’s super-natural cream screen, I'm inspired to use it throughout the long, sun-soaked days ahead.
So here’s the deal: It’s not a mineral sunscreen, but SPF 30 KINeSYS Kids spray is free of PABA, parabens, preservatives, alcohol, sulphites and nano-particles. It’s also free of common allergens like nuts, eggs, gluten, soy and dairy. Plus, its no-mess, dry-on-contact formula means I don’t have to pin my little squirmers down for a shmearing. I respect that carbon-neutral company KINeSYS is committed to the environment, just like me: Its product packaging is fully recyclable and its products come in a pump spray instead of pressurized aerosol containers. And while some green moms among us may choose to avoid UV absorbers like octinoxate and avobenzone, which are among KINeSYS’s active ingredients, EWG does rank KINeSYS Kids spray sunscreen in its lowest-hazard category, 0-2. To spray or not to spray? I’ll let you make the call.
This article was written and contributed to Mommy Greenest by Natasha Garber, the former editor of Los Angeles Family magazine. Currently, Natasha is a freelance contributing editor for Special Events Magazine and a contributor to numerous lifestyle publications across the country, where she covers green events and event planning, sustainable catering and cuisine, fashion and design trends. A mother of two and passionate proponent of eco-conscious family living, Natasha lives, writes, parents, plays and makes fresh, organic, totally delicious baby food (just ask her 6-month-old) in Los Angeles.
