It’s finally here and if it’s here, that means summer is here (whew- that’s a lot of ‘here’s’)! Sunscreen safety is important and every year the Environmental Working Group puts out their carefully tested list; what to buy, what not to buy, and what to run from screaming.

The truth is that the sun provides all sorts of health benefits to us, from helping our bodies to manufacture vitamin D, to lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, to combatting depression, and increasing oxygen content in human blood. We need the sun. However, we also need to be smart and be exposed in healthy ways. My editor allows her kids, they live in Michigan, to have 10-20 min- depending on the time of day and month- of full sun before applying a safe sunscreen, but they also eat to protect themselves from the inside out. That’s right, not all sunscreens are created equal. In fact, this spring, the Environmental Working Group found that 72 percent of sunscreens tested contained harmful ingredients or inadequate sun protection.

So, without further ado, here is the EWG’s 10th annual Guide to Sunscreens:

The Best Sunscreens of 2016

Safer Sunscreens — Beach & Sport

Safer Sunscreens — Moisturizers

Safer Sunscreens — Kid-Friendly

Sunscreens to Avoid

In case you are new to safe sunscreens and want to know if you should throw out what you already have, this year the EWG focused even more closely on children’s sunscreens, here’s their list:

Worst Sunscreens for Kids

  • Banana Boat Kids Max Protect & Play Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
  • Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
  • Coppertone Sunscreen Continuous Spray, Kids, SPF 70
  • Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion Kids, SPF 70+
  • Coppertone Foaming Lotion Sunscreen Kids Wacky Foam, SPF 70+
  • Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70+
  • CVS Baby Sunstick Sunscreen, SPF 55
  • CVS Kids Wet & Dry Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
  • Equate Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
  • Hampton Sun Continuous Mist Sunscreen For Kids, SPF 70 
  • Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
  • Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 70+
  • Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55

Just remember, the sun is not your enemy and nothing to be feared. Responsible time in the sun is essential for healthy body function. And use all methods of safety available to you too, hats, sunglasses, and a good umbrella! But- get outside! Enjoy the sun! Have a safe summer everyone!

XO- Erin

Source: EWG