Affordable Options In Safer Kids' Sunscreens
We have a long summer ahead of us here in the South, so we've been testing out a few sunscreens for our nearly four-year-old daughter, Z. I started my search by going to the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database to narrow down my choices. I confined our shortlist to those with an SPF of 30+ that were rated a 2 or less (out of 10) for their potential health hazard and 1 or less for sun hazard.
They are:
UV Natural Sport SPF 30+
California Baby SPF 30+
TruKid Sunny Days Face Stick SPF 30+
TruKid SunnyDays SPF 30+
Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen
KINeSYS KIDS Sunscreen Spray
We tested the three different varieties of the California Baby brand sunscreen, two varieties of the TruKid brand sunscreen, and the Badger sunscreen.
Overall, we liked all of these brands - none of them were greasy or sticky, they all went on smoothly and disappeared completely, and none bothered Z's eczema, which even hummus on her cheeks can cause to flare up. We all commented on the wonderfully citrus smell of the Badger sunscreen, and found the stick types very convenient. But since the sunscreens were all rated as safe, and they seemed to function equally well, for us this contest ultimately came down to cost.
The two stick types were significantly more expensive per ounce, but given the mode of application, they should last a lot longer; considering the convenience factor (easy to carry in a purse or pocket, no risk of spillage), we'll probably keep one on hand as a supplement to liquid sunscreen.
Between the two stick types we tried, TruKid's was significantly cheaper, at $10 for a .62 oz. stick ($16 per oz.) compared with $12.99 for California Baby's .5 oz. stick ($25.98 per oz.). Both are available on Amazon.com [TruKid|California Baby].
For liquid sunscreens, we compared the cost per ounce and per bottle among the three brands we tried (California Baby, TruKid, Badger) and the two we didn't (UV Natural, KINeSYS). Again, TruKid won out.
TruKid's SunnyDays sunscreen was the most affordable by far, at $3.50/oz. and $14 for a 4-oz. bottle. KineSYS KIDS' 4-oz. spray bottle lists at $17, or $4.25/oz. (although it's currently available on Amazon for $15); Badger's 30 SPF sunscreen runs $5.51/oz., California Baby's costs $6.21/oz., and UV Natural Baby costs a whopping $10.58/oz., or $18 for a 1.76 oz. bottle.
Since my initial research, the EWG has published a sunscreen guide with a lot more information (but not costs) of a wide range of sunscreens. If you're picking out an adult sunscreen or something marketed for kids, you're doing well if you check ingredient labels and avoid parabens, phthalates, SLS, propylene glycol, PEG’s, dioxanes, and oxybenzones.
Above article was found on Z Recommends.
Overall, we liked all of these brands - none of them were greasy or sticky, they all went on smoothly and disappeared completely, and none bothered Z's eczema, which even hummus on her cheeks can cause to flare up. We all commented on the wonderfully citrus smell of the Badger sunscreen, and found the stick types very convenient. But since the sunscreens were all rated as safe, and they seemed to function equally well, for us this contest ultimately came down to cost.
The two stick types were significantly more expensive per ounce, but given the mode of application, they should last a lot longer; considering the convenience factor (easy to carry in a purse or pocket, no risk of spillage), we'll probably keep one on hand as a supplement to liquid sunscreen.
Between the two stick types we tried, TruKid's was significantly cheaper, at $10 for a .62 oz. stick ($16 per oz.) compared with $12.99 for California Baby's .5 oz. stick ($25.98 per oz.). Both are available on Amazon.com [TruKid|California Baby].
For liquid sunscreens, we compared the cost per ounce and per bottle among the three brands we tried (California Baby, TruKid, Badger) and the two we didn't (UV Natural, KINeSYS). Again, TruKid won out.
TruKid's SunnyDays sunscreen was the most affordable by far, at $3.50/oz. and $14 for a 4-oz. bottle. KineSYS KIDS' 4-oz. spray bottle lists at $17, or $4.25/oz. (although it's currently available on Amazon for $15); Badger's 30 SPF sunscreen runs $5.51/oz., California Baby's costs $6.21/oz., and UV Natural Baby costs a whopping $10.58/oz., or $18 for a 1.76 oz. bottle.
Since my initial research, the EWG has published a sunscreen guide with a lot more information (but not costs) of a wide range of sunscreens. If you're picking out an adult sunscreen or something marketed for kids, you're doing well if you check ingredient labels and avoid parabens, phthalates, SLS, propylene glycol, PEG’s, dioxanes, and oxybenzones.
Above article was found on Z Recommends.