Summer is here, and the beach is calling. The kids are in their final days of school, and the family vacation is right around the corner. You’ve packed floaties and the swim diapers, goggles and oversized towels with tropical fish on them. You are ready, really ready but there’s one thing in that beach bag that’s more important than anything else- sunscreen.
There are a million different kinds to choose from. The ones that smell better than they work, others that take forever to rub in and those spray ones that seem like the easiest choice when you have 3 screaming kids ready to catch a wave. But which is the right one for your baby?
Here at Kyte BABY, we know that the more all-natural you go, the less your child is exposed to harmful chemicals. Sunscreen is a hot topic as we near June. You buy lotion to protect your children, but what if the sunscreen you use is doing more harm than good?
We’ve learned that the best skin protectants all have the same thing in common- a mineral called Zinc Oxide. This should be the No. 1 active ingredient in your sunscreen, as it doesn’t break down. According to the FDA, the most basic difference between chemical and mineral based sunscreens are that chemical-based sunscreens absorb, creating a reaction for effectiveness. Mineral-based sunscreens sit atop the skin as a physical barrier to the sun.
Ingredients you should most definitely avoid is Oxybenzone. This chemical filter can cause skin allergies and can mess with your hormone levels. We should also avoid using sunscreen with dangerous preservatives like Parabens. These also disrupt our hormone regulation and can potentially cause cancer! Be sure to look for Paraben-Free labels on your sunscreen as well as other cosmetic products.
The very same dangerous chemicals that we avoid slathering onto the bare shoulders of our children are hurting our environment. When you apply these chemical-based sunscreens and go for a ride on your boogie board, the lotion comes off into the ocean and pollutes the water which is harming the coral reefs.
Check out this video from Kitchen Stewardship. This mom tried out 70 different sunscreens over the last 7 years on her 4 children. In her personal experience, she’s discovered which sunscreens are the best and which ones to avoid.
As you head out for the sandy shore, remember the dangers of chemical-based sunscreen! Don’t pollute the ocean or your child’s body with a lotion that isn’t reef-safe and mineral-based.
As you’re packing for that fun-in-the-sun getaway, don’t forget to bring along your favorite Kyte BABY onesies. The babe will need something dry to change into when it’s nap time under that beach umbrella. Check out our entire collection of all-natural, bamboo kids wear!
Written By Dani Haberly
