How to Find Safe and Effective Sunscreen

“We need more sunscreen,” calls my husband as I’m leaving for work the other morning. “What should I buy?” With more than a million cases and counting of skin cancer diagnosed every year, sun protection is a serious issue.
Unfortunately, three out of five sun blocks don’t work or contain hazardous ingredients according to a recent study by the Environmental Working Group. Several well known brands rate very poorly in EWG's analysis for health hazard or poor sun protection.
Now, I don’t want to go slapping questionable chemicals on my toddler's (or my own) skin and I certainly don’t want to risk sunburns that would spoil her beach vacation and could set her up for skin cancer down the road. So what’s an eco-conscious mom to do?
It’s actually a tough question. Many of the top-rated sunscreens on EWG's list are hard to find. They are available online but some are quite expensive (then you add shipping).
Earlier this spring took the following steps, which my husband repeated this week:
Consult the EWG list of top beach sun blocks of cosmetic safety; Make a list of brands that fit our comfort level for safe and effective sunscreen and our budget constraints; Go to the store and read labels. We ended up with the Blue Lizard brand sunscreen because it rated well for effectiveness and safety, is not too expensive, and, importantly, is available at our local CVS.
How have you tackled this question? I'd love to hear your opinion so please leave a comment.
Photo of Beach Baby, copyright Flickr user Chimothy27.
When Jen Mueller isn't chasing after her toddler daughter, she's an environmental communications professional in Washington DC. Jen blogs her observations on being engaged and staying present at Puddle Jumping in DC