green summer

Why Less Expensive Sunscreen Matters

This year in my sunscreen guide, I’ll be focusing on less expensive sunscreen vs. previous years when I focused primarily on less toxic sunscreen. Why recommend less expensive sunscreen? Do you want my family to be exposed to toxins? No. I really don’t want your family exposed to chemicals. Unfortunately, if you’re using sunscreen correctly, [...]

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Panic less about affordable sunscreen

If you’d like sunscreen choices that cost less than a car, you may have to deal with some chemicals, which sucks, but sometimes life isn’t fair. My sunscreen rational this year is that all families need sunscreen, and since less toxic sunscreen is hyper costly, I need to recommend some other, more toxic, but less expensive choices. [...]

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My 2012 liquid gold (otherwise known as safe sunscreen) rational

Last year I had myself a little rant about the insane costs of safer sunscreen, but it’s a new year, so it’s time for some fresh 2012 sunscreen rational. In spite of the fact that companies, green bloggers and health organizations continue to promote the benefits of less toxic sunscreen, most companies continue to price [...]

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Quick Green Tip: Non-toxic Winter Sunscreen

I know, it’s cold and wet and the last thing you’re thinking about is sunshine and summer-minded stuff like sunscreen. Still, did you know that sunscreen is a year-round issue? It’s true. During the winter you are far less likely to get an actual sunburn, because the sun sits at a different angle. That said, [...]

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Less expensive and still mostly safe sunscreen choices

In the post, less toxic sunscreen can cost more than an eco-friendly car, I said I’d be back with some (hopefully) less expensive sunscreen choices. After looking at our options, what I’ve found is that 95% of the time the less a sunscreen costs, the more icky junk (think chemicals) are in it. This means [...]

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New FDA Sunscreen Rules

I’m a little late posting the new rules, but I’ve been spending time with my son (he may be heading off to Minnesota to visit family). Still, in case you missed it, the FDA has released their new sunscreen rules, which of course Environmental Working Group (EWG), and others, are calling too little, too late [...]

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Deciding which sunscreen to buy – is chemical or sun exposure worse?

Safe sunscreen can be insanely expensive, which brings up the issue of which is worse, chemical exposure or unprotected sun exposure. So – which is worse? Too much unprotected sun exposure can result in skin cancer – and not just a few cases either. Each year more skin cancers occur than all the other cancers [...]

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Eco-friendly summer tips for green families

I’m scrapping together a lower-cost sunscreen guide, due to our ongoing conversations here about expensive sunscreen. But, it’s taking a while. Until I get this list together, why not enjoy some past Growing a Green Family posts you may have missed… Make sure your child is getting out into nature. In fact, consider sending your [...]

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How to use sunscreen correctly – common sunscreen questions

We’ve been looking at sunscreen safety this week. Well, sunscreen safety and sunscreen cost. I’m hoping to get some sort of affordable sunscreen list up soon, but not before we talk about proper sunscreen use. If you need to catch up take a look at the following posts: Basic information about unprotected sun exposure Less [...]

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Basic information about unprotected sun exposure

*UPDATE (June 2011) see some less expensive sunscreen choices. The other day after posting less toxic sunscreen can cost more than an eco-friendly car, I got some comments (here and via Facebook and email) that made me realize that some people aren’t using sunscreen safely. It’s not just online people I worry about either. I [...]