Seeking Chemical Free & WATERPROOF Sunblock for Babies

Yes, like Jennifer said, even "waterproof" sunblocks NEED to be re-applied after swimming, and every 2hrs or so even if you're not playing in the water. My pediatrician says it's because sunblocks get "broken-down" by sun and water, making it much less effective.

N.~

Melaleuca has a great sunblock! It is totally chemical free. My grandson uses it, but I am not certain about its waterproof ability. It is less expensive than others, and works great! If you need to learn more, I'll be happy to share with you. Email me at ____@____.com or visit my website: http://www.ACWomensSuccess.com

Good luck. I wish I were there with you. We lived many years in the Navy in tropical climates. Now we're in the desert. What a difference!

A.

California Baby. They also have a stick for easy application for the face. I thought Blue Lizard was good until I compared the 2 labels. Read the ingredients.
I use California bAby on my 1 1/2 year old baby. Happy Ocean.

Hi N.,

I struggled with this question as well and tried almost every chemical free sunblock out there including Blue Lizard, Badger, Beyond Coastal etc. I finally found one that I love. It is called Melansol and I order it online at www.puresunscreen.com. Their sunscreen really works--and is all natural! It is the only sunscreen that we don't ever burn with (we are super active and constantly in the water) and it doesn't feel thick and chalky like the other sunscreens listed above. Because it has a nice consistency, My husband and I use it as well, which was not an option with the Badger or Blue Lizard (thick white paste). I am so glad we found this solution and wanted to share :]

NO sunblock is waterproof... only water resistant. Put the sunblock on at least 20 minutes BEFORE going out in the sun and/or in the water. This will help the skin absorb most of it. Also, you will need to reapply it often if staying out in the sun for long periods of time. The "experts" say at least every 2 hours.

I'm not sure about how waterproof any sunscreens are, but as far as your concerns about chemical-free, be sure to check out the Environmental Working Group's sunscreen database - skin deep. It will tell you how toxic your sunscreen is and you can do a search with criteria such as water-resistant and good for babies. (They also have a comestics database you should check out.)

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=%2Fspecia...

If your concerns are about chemical-free, I second the previous post referring you to check out the Environmental Working Group's sunscreen database - Skin Deep.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/s...

as well as The Guide to Less Toxic Products from the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia
http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/

and Goodguide.com

Good job being so diligent about him wearing a rash guard and hat. I do like Jason brand stuff. The one I use I don't think is waterproof. But it is by Jason and Earth's Best. It is considered a chemical free sunscreen. It is VERY thick however and may actually stay on in water, but if it is truly waterproof I am not sure. If you are really serious then go to a natural food store, or look online. There has got to be something out there. But if not, the rash guard and hat with a good natural-chem free spf should do the trick pretty well. And staying out of the sun during peak hours. Good luck. And remember a little sun is healthy. We are increasingly deficient in vit D in this country.

California Baby is very safe, very effective, very waterproof, but also very expensive. That is what I use on dd. It is hard to spread around as well, but it works. You can always check on cosmeticdatabase.com for product safety as well. Some have a bit more chemicals, but are cheaper, if cost is not a factor I would use CA Baby. I got mine at Henry's and a 2.9 oz tube was 18 bucks, yikes!

Hi N.!
Have you tried Melaleuca products? If you want safer products for your home, Melaleuca is the best. Great products and they are less expensive than what you will find at Whole Foods or Henry's. I absolutely love all their products and the sunscreen is no different. It goes on easily, isn't at all greasy and smells great too. I use their classic version, but they have a waterproof spray as well. Feel free to email me if you'd like more info!

Best!
C.

Finding a chemical free sun block of any strength isn't possible. There was no such thing as sunblock until about 25 years ago when chemist invented it. All of life is chemistry including all of your body. If your child's skin does not react to a product, why not use it?
Chemical isn't a bad word.
B.v. O.

California Baby or Badger. I use Badger on myself and California Baby on my daughter. Always find both products at Mother's.

Hi N.,

My 2 year old son also spends quite a bit of time outdoors and in the pool. I use California Baby SPF 30. It's chemical free, highly water RESISTANT and sits on top of the skin. I would still recommend reapplying the skinscreen after prolonged swimming since it can rub off. This is a thick formula so you should be able to see it once you apply it. You can order it on line with the best selection however, you can also find it at some Target stores and Whole Foods in the baby section.

Hi N.
Check out-

http://www.iagmedia.net/lets-go-chipper/index.php
or just letsgochipper.com. They have a paraben and chemical free mineral sun stick made by tru-kid which is totally fabulous and only $9.95. I ordered a bunch and stash them everywhere. They also have really cool books and DVD's too but the sunstick can't be beat.

Good Luck

zinc is the only sunBLOCK which means a physical barrier btwn sun and skin--you can see it so it is obvious if it wears off in the water. all others are sunSCREEN and nothing is waterPROOF, just water RESISTANT, so reapply frequently.

If at the beach I would have him play in the sand under an umbrella periodically to get a break from direct sun and to let the sunscreen soak into his skin before getting wet again (5-10 minutes, otherwise it just washes off the minute it gets wet). If at the pool, a 10 minute potty/sunscreen break periodically.

The most natural and effective sunscreen I found, and LOVE for my babies, is ARBONNE "ABC" baby sunscreen, SPF 30+. I put it on my baby girls for beach, pool, or park days and it does not feel greasy and is good for their sensitive skin. It stays on and smells good all day!

Aloha,
If you go to www.amazon.com and type in the search word "chemical free sunscreen" or "chemical free sunblock", many will turn up AND you can read the reviews on it.

Good luck,
Susan

It's going to be impossible to find true waterproof sunblock without chemicals. It's the chemicals that make it waterproof. We usually don't use any, but watch what time of the day we are out in the sun and for how long. Sometimes we have them add shirts or rash guards. If we do use sunblock, like if we are out at the river and have noc ontrol over timing and how long, then we use Devita - 30 SPF. It's awesome.

http://www.goddess-within.com/682941123705.html

You got a lot of response but I didn't see any mention Baby Lizard by Blue Lizard. It is rated the highest on organic and health sites. We used to use Earth's Best and California Babies, but we found this and love it! It is a little hard to find, they always seem to be out of the Pink Baby Tube. But CVS has been our best luck so far. And it is cheap! $10.
http://www.crownlaboratories.com/bluelizard/

Badger Sunscreen spf 30. It's the best and most non-toxic product out there. You can buy it at Green Cradle in Studio City, I think Whole Foods might carry it, or order it from Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Badger-47031-Sunscreen-SPF-30/dp/B0...

Take care,
D.
www.inspiredmotherhood.com

I was at the dermo THursday and asked her (since she had a new 3 month old) what she uses / will use on her baby. She said Blue Lizard. I haven't read up on it, not sure if it's "everyday wear" or what but thought I'd throw it out there.

We use Ocean Potion which you can get at Wal Mart. They make an unscented one, too. This works best for us because our kids have real sensitive skin. It's also waterproof.

Hi N.,

You may also want to try Colorscience----it is a mineral powder SPF. It comes in an easy to use tube with brush included. It is super easy to to use on face, neck, and ears as well as the top of the head. It is not inexpensive, but it lasts a long time. I buy it at a dermatologist's office. You can google it, and go on their website to find a location that sells it nearest to you.

It is labeled as very highly water-resistant, but it still will need to be reapplied after some time.

Good luck.

J. F.

Hi N.,

Also check out MEXI-TAN, which is available from a company in Spokane, Washington. It's the purest product I know of and also contains BOTH zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the only two ingredients known to truly prevent sunburn without being carcinogenic.

My husband and I scuba dive and we use the Sunbrella Sport sun block. It uses a mineral based coverage (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) but has no harmful chemicals in it. Also the minerals are larger so they are not absorbed into the skin. Sunbrella products can be purchased at any health food stores. I have seen them in Whole Foods and Mother's Market.

UV Natural and California Baby work well. I got them at Whole foods. UV doesn't leave your skin as white.

Well, I don't know any natural sunblocks that work after going in the water. Neutrogena is the one that has worked the best for me. It has "Helioplex" in it which blocks the UVA AND UVB rays. Most sunblocks block only one, the other is the one that causes skin cancer. After every trip to the water, you HAVE to re-apply the sunblock. Unless you buy ZINC (the stuff surfers have on their noses, its usually white). My son is fairly light skinned because he is biracial (white, filipino, and light skinned mexican) so with the Neutrogena, he has never got burned nor changed color. Oh yeah, don't forget their feet, ears, and the back of the neck. - think Neutrogena has a "waterproof" one too.

N.,

I have a little guy (adopted) who we were told would be Honduran, but he came out very "Irish." For years we have tried to find the best sunscreen for him, and finally have. It is made by the company Melaleuca, and it is incredible! There are no dangerous chemicals in it (or any of the home products they create) and it's safe for little ones, lasts hours, and is definitely waterproof - we live by the ocean.

Melaleuca is an online wholesale company with nearly 400 safe products for the home, many of them wonderful for babies. If you are interested in hearing more, please just email me at ____@____.com of their products are priced competitively with Walmart/Target. The sunscreen runs about $11.50 for a normal sized tube/non-aerosol can.

Hope this will be a good option for you!
T.

Check out: Environmental Working Group's sunscreen database - Skin Deep, for effective non-toxic sunscreen.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

I have very fair 15 month old twins. I use California Baby, Badger and Kinesys. Available at Whole Foods and REI.