I see that there are many pieces of advice given about being Sunsmart.  I think using a good sunscreen is absolutely important.  I cannot live without one!  And I make sure my son has it on him too.  I have written a blog about choosing good sunscreens but sigh, maybe that's the wrong place to put it.  So, here I am, putting it down as an advice.  I hope it will be helpful.

Some information about our beloved SUN :

The sun's UV radiation is composed of UVA, UVB and UVC rays. UVC rays are the most energetic out of the three but thankfully, they are very much filtered off by the Earth's ozone layer and do not reach us. Both UVA and UVB cause skin changes such as premature aging and skin changes such as freckles (partly genetic, partly sun exposure), liver spots and cancer.

We can avoid going under the sun from 9am to 4pm. However, we cannot always do that.  We can wear proper clothing with long sleeves or long pants, sunglasses and head protection such as caps or wide-rimmed hats. It is also important to invest in a safe and effective sunscreen. Many sunscreens out there either work partially or have undesirable ingredients.

There are two classes of sun-screening ingredients :

• Those that act as physical barriers against the sun's rays and,
  
• Those that absorb and deflect sun rays via a chemical reaction.
  

If possible, avoid all these chemicals in your sunscreen  which belong to the second class of sun-screening ingredients:

• PABA, Benzophonone-3 (oxybenzone)
• Octyl Methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)
• parabens (synthetic preservatives)
• padimate-O
• parsol 1789 (avobenzone)
• octisalate

All the above ingredients have to potential to cause skin irritations, allergies and reproductive toxicity. Some are readily absorbed by the skin and can cause side effects that we never know. Some of them work only partially and may protect against UVA but not UVB or vice versa. Some are such weak blocking agents that you can forget about having them. Most sunscreens use a combinations of several ingredients and also lots of preservatives. Here are some tips to choosing a safe and effective sunscreen :

• Get sunscreen with either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Both are physical screens against UVA and UVB rays. Both are safe and not absorbed by the skin. Zinc oxide is better than titanium dioxide because it covers a wider spectrum in terms of protection.
• Get a sunscreen with a SPF 15 to 30. There is not a huge difference between products with SPF values higher than 30. Sunscreens with SPF 50 provide just 1.3% more protection from UVB rays than sunscreens with SPF 30. It is more important to apply sunscreen generously than to seek out sunscreens with ultra-high SPF ratings. Few people put on enough to actually reach the product's SPF rating.
• SPF numbers only refer to the ability of the sunscreen to protect you against UVB rays. They have nothing to do with protecting you against UVA rays.
  
• Re-apply sunscreen according to the time instructed on the product (especially more important when exposed to water during swimming and during sweating). There is no such things as waterproof sunscreens or re-application is important.
  
• Look for a sunscreen without loads of ingredients especially synthetic preservatives. You do not want to load so many things on your face. In the end, the sunscreen is doing your skin and body more harm than giving you sun protection. Your skin is the largest organ on our body and it is capable of absorbing many chemicals.  You would not want to overwork your body trying to metabolize and eliminate unnecessary or harmful chemicals.
  
• Do not take the sunscreen information on the tube or bottle at face value. Check the ingredients thoroughly. When a sunscreen says it covers broad spectrum protection, it may not necessarily give you that protection.

Here are the ingredients of one sunscreen which I have trusted and used before. I am glad that I am now educated and will never buy it again :

Thermal spring water, ethylhexl methoxycinnamate, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, cyclomethicone, isodecyl neopentanoate, glycerin, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethybutylphenol, water, glyceryl stearate, potassium cetylphosphate, stearyl alcohol, pvp/eicosene copolymer, butylparaben, caprylic/capric triglyceride, decyl glucoside, disodium edta, ethylparaben, fragrance, isobutylparaben, methylparaben, o-cymen-5-ol, phenoxythanol, propylparaben, sorbic acid, titanium dioxide, tocopheryl glucoside, triethoxycaprylysilane, xanthan gum, zinc oxide. Rated 50+SPF.

What a load of stuff that goes onto my face! Now i use one certified organic sunscreen which I am glad to have found.

Ingredients : organic olea europaea (olive) juice extract, zinc oxide, organic butyrospermum parkii (shea) fruit butter, organic unrefined cera alba(beeswax), avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, polygonoum multiflorum root extract, d-alpha tocopherol (natural vitamin e), organic copernicia prunifera (carauba) wax, aroma (essential oils), rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, dunaliella salina algae extract.

You can see the differences in the make-up of the two sunscreens.  Judge for yourselves! Choose wisely! Choose a sunscreen which is effective and yet safe for all in the family!

Hope this helps!