The sun is finally out again.. I did not realize that an eco friendly or green sun screen was an important area, especially when one is on vacation.  EWG reports that UV filtering ingredients in sunscreen have been proven to cause bleaching in the algae that lives on coral, thus killing the entire structure. EWG only recommended 8% of the sunscreens they tested. Oxybenzone has been linked to hormone disruption and low-birthweight babies.

The Food and Drug Administration revamped sunscreen rules in June 2011. The new rules should help demystify the sun blocking properties of sunscreens.

There are other issues that EWG covers with possible problems with other chemicals in sunscreen. Also: “80 percent of our water in the U.S. shows trace amounts of chemicals from personal care products, which could be sunscreens, lotions, colognes or medications.”

Look for sunblock with 7% or higher zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Ingredients to avoid include: OXYBENZONE, OCTINOXATE, and ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE

“66 sunscreens with SPFs from 55-100+ might tempt you to stay out longer in the sun, but they block just 1-2% more sunburn rays than an SPF 30 sunscreen.” SPF 30 protection is good enough.

EWG has some good sunscreen that meets our criteria. Some good best are:

1. Desert Essence – Age Reversal Sunscreen Mineral Daily Face Protection spf 30 – 3 oz

2. All Terrain AquaSport

See our Eco Friendly or Green Cosmetic post for details.