How to choose better sunscreen: The EWG Sunscreen Guide Explained

A day of family enjoyment under the sun requires careful consideration of safety, even amidst the hustle of getting everyone ready. Applying sunscreen is crucial for sun safety, and the EWG Sunscreen Guide enhances this understanding.

An important part of the EWG (Environmental Working Group) is to seek personal care and sunscreen products that prioritize both safety and effectiveness. If you're unfamiliar with EWG, Babo Botanicals is here to provide you with more information. Following that, we'll explain EWG's criteria for evaluating sunscreens and assess how Babo Botanicals sunscreens measure up to these standards.

• What Is EWG?
• EWG Sunscreen Guide: How Does The EWG Rate Sunscreens?
• What Do The EWG Guidelines Say?
• What Are The Best EWG Sunscreens?
• Additional Methods of Effective Sun Protection
• Recap: EWG Sunscreen

What Is EWG?

EWG stands for "Environmental Working Group" which is a research- and education-driven non-profit that exists for the health of your family and the environment. In what way?

To fully appreciate EWG, it’s important we understand how their work affects our daily lives.

For example, do you know how tedious it can get to look at the ingredients for every product you use to ensure that it’s safe?

This is what makes EWG so special. You don’t have to worry about all the endless information on the back of bottles anymore! The safety and toxicology experts at EWG do all the hard work of figuring out whether or not your products are safe to use.

Sunscreen, for example, is something we put on every single day. So, it’s imperative that we’re using sunscreens that are formulated with safe ingredients that won’t cause any harm later down the road. And that’s exactly where EWG comes into play.

They inspect the ingredients and efficacy of various products to determine if they are safe to use every day. The EWG Guidelines are strict and go beyond the regulations already in place in the beauty and personal care industries.

Armed with information about the safety of ingredients and what standards are used for the factories and farms that produce products, you can make informed decisions about what your family uses.

The other great thing about EWG is that you have all of that unbiased information right at your fingertips. For example, on EWG’s Skin Deep page, you can search for a cosmetic and see just how it ranks.

But for now, let’s focus on the research the Environmental Working Group conducts on sunscreens.

EWG Sunscreen Guide: How Does EWG Rate Sunscreens?

The EWG Sunscreen Guide provides all the information you need to make smarter choices about which sunscreens you put on your body. EWG reviewed and tested over 1,800 sunscreens to determine which are the best options in terms of sun protection and ingredients.

Before you head out into the sun this summer, make sure you check out EWG sunscreen guide so you can see what factors make up a good EWG sunscreen rating.

What Do The EWG Guidelines Say?

Now that you know more about EWG and how they approach sunscreen ratings, let’s take a look at what the guidelines state regarding ingredients, SPF, and more.

1) No To Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is an active ingredient (the ingredient that does the work of blocking the sun’s rays) common in chemical sunscreens.

However Oxybenzone is suspected to be a potential endocrine disruptor. In one study, it has been linked to an increased risk of endometriosis in females. Oxybenzone is also suspected to be potentially harmful for coral reefs. That’s why Oxybenzone, just like several other chemical sunscreen active ingredients, has been banned in Hawaii and other coastal regions in an effort to help protect the local marine ecosystem.

2) Yes To Zinc Oxide And Titanium Dioxide

The ingredients EWG recommends to look for in sunscreens are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide are derived from naturally occurring minerals, hence why they’re considered “mineral” sunscreen ingredients. Contrary to chemical sunscreen ingredients that work by penetrating the skin and absorbing UV rays, mineral sunscreen ingredients working by reflecting away UV rays from skin’s surface.

Mineral sunscreens are made exclusively with Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide, without the addition of any chemical sunscreen ingredients. The EWG often considers mineral sunscreens to be the safest option available, however they do include select chemical sunscreens in the sunscreen guide.

3)  No To Irritating Inactive Ingredients

We’ve covered two of the active ingredients commonly used in sunscreen, but there are also lots of inactive ingredients that EWG has something to say about.

One is a preservative called methylisothiazolinone. Europe has said no to this ingredient in leave-in cosmetic products, but it’s still being used in the United States. As you can guess, it doesn’t get a great EWG score.

Another inactive ingredient that doesn’t fare well with EWG is fragrance. Often listed on the ingredient list simply as “fragrance,” this no-good smell-good rates poorly due to allergies, immunotoxicity, and irritation to skin, eyes, or lungs.

4) No To Vitamin A Additives

Vitamin A seems like a healthy thing, right? Not when it shows up in your sunscreen as retinyl palmitate.

EWG gives this ingredient a poor rating, stating moderate concern for cancer and high concern for developmental or reproductive toxicity and biochemical or cellular level changes.

They discourage using sunscreens that contain vitamin A or retinyl palmitate, also called retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate, and retinol.

5) Yes To More UVA Protection

UV radiation is made up of two types of UV light: UVA rays and UVB rays. Exposure to both UVA and UVB rays puts you at risk for skin cancer. UVA rays have a longer wavelength and are linked more with skin aging. UVB rays have a shorter wavelength and are linked with skin burning. Both can be extremely damaging to your skin, which is why it’s so important to choose the right type of sunscreen that provides adequate protection from UV radiation.

UVA protection tends to get neglected with sunscreen products, but protecting yourself from UVA rays is just as important as protecting yourself from UVB rays. EWG recommends wearing sunscreen that provides strong UVA protection. You should opt for broad-spectrum sunscreens with a high SPF. Broad-spectrum sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays and provides the best sun protection.

6) No To Assuming That Higher SPF Means More Protection

This one on our list can be confusing, right?

If you had two bottles of sunscreen — one with SPF 30 and the other with SPF 90 on the label, it’s easy to assume that the SPF 90 product would offer you the most protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

However, this isn’t necessarily the case. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that with SPF values, people tend to see a high number, assume that they have maximum protection, and then proceed to expose themselves to unnecessary damage in the process.

“In real life, products with very high SPFs often create a false sense of security. People who use them tend to stay out in the sun much longer. They may skip reapplying. And they may think they don’t need to seek shade, wear a hat, or cover up with clothing. They end up getting a lot more UV damage, which, of course, defeats the purpose.”

Regardless of the SPF measurement you see, it’s important to keep reapplying your sunscreen every couple of hours, and even more often if you’ll be spending the day swimming.

That's why EWG Sunscreen Guide is very beneficial.

What Are The Most Recommended EWG Sunscreens?

If you’re looking for a safe sunscreen that gets great EWG scores, we can point you in the right direction. Here at Babo Botanicals, we’re not shy to say that we’re proud of the products we make!

Almost a dozen of our sunscreen made EWG’s list of “Top-rated Recreational Sunscreens” Plus, both our Sensitive Baby Mineral Sunscreen lotion SPF50 and Sensitive Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF50 ranked in the list of “Top Rated Baby & Kids Sunscreens”, according to EWG rating criteria.

We’ll walk you through two of our best sunscreens. Hopefully, you’ll become as much of a fan as we are!

Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF30

Going beyond the way it looks, our Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF30 is made with zinc oxide, not oxybenzone (remember that icky chemical we mentioned earlier?). It’s also fragrance-free and dermatologist tested, making it ideal for folks with sensitive skin.

What rating does it have with EWG? We’re happy to say it has a bright green score of one!

Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Sport Stick SPF30

Made with our exclusive Nutri-Soothe™ blend rich in vitamins and antioxidants, this broad-spectrum UVA/UVB Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Sport Stick SPF30 is great for the face, lips, nose, ears — really anywhere with extra sensitive skin!

It contains the power-packed protection of Zinc, plus rich, skin-soothing certified organic oils, including Jojoba. Plus, like our sunscreen lotion, it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

The fragrance-free sunscreen stick goes on easy, is non-greasy, and rubs in well. 

Check out our other sunscreens like out Super Shield Sunscreen Lotion SPF50, Daily Sheer Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF50, and our Super Shield Mineral Sunscreen Sport Stick SPF50 

Additional Methods Of Effective Sun Protection

While it’s important to pay attention to the EWG sunscreen guidelines, there are a few other measures you can take to ensure that you and your family enjoy your time outside without putting your skin in harm’s way.

1) Avoid Going Out During Peak Hours

Generally, the sun will be its strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. These are the hours when you’re most at risk for getting sunburnt and exposing yourself to other harmful effects of the sun.

If you have to go outside during this time of the day, remember to always wear sunscreen and keep applying every couple of hours. Otherwise, it’s best and safest to stay indoors and only go outside either before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

If you’re used to going out at any time during the day, this might feel like a huge inconvenience. But trust us on this one — your future healthy skin will thank you!

2) Limit Your Tanning Time

Many people love tanned skin. While we understand the aesthetic appeal behind it, we believe that it’s important to be upfront and real with you. Tanning simply isn’t healthy.

The FDA explains it perfectly by highlighting that “evidence suggests that tanning greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. And, contrary to popular belief, getting a tan will not protect your skin from sunburn or other skin damage.”

Unfortunately, opting for tanning beds instead of tanning in the sun, can also increase your risk of skin cancer.

3) Always Wear Protective Clothing

When it’s warm outside, wearing protective clothing isn’t just an option — it’s a must! So, what exactly are we talking about here?

Firstly, you can start by wearing sunglasses that will protect your eyes from the sun’s rays. Look for sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption. While these might be a little costlier than others, they’re the best option to help protect your eyes.

Next, opt for a wide-brimmed hat. This will help to ensure that not only your face but also your ears and neck area are protected from the sun.

Lastly, choose clothing that gives you as much coverage as possible. This means opting for long-sleeved shirts and pants or long dresses or skirts.

Make sure that the fabrics you choose have moisture-wicking properties to give you the coverage you need while keeping you cool.

4) Avoid Direct Sunlight

Earlier, we mentioned that you need to avoid going outside during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). But we understand that life happens and sometimes you just can’t avoid being outdoors during those hours.

If that’s the case, stay away from direct sunlight by opting for shady areas. Be careful if you are around sand or water. Unfortunately, these can reflect the harmful rays of the sun that you’re trying to avoid in the first place!

5) Give Your Lips Some Protection, Too

When most people think about sun protection, they usually consider their faces, arms, legs, and other body parts. But what about your lips?

Your lips need just as much protection as the rest of your body. So don’t forget about them!

You can use chapstick or lipstick with SPF or you can check out Super Shield Mineral Sunscreen Sport Stick SPF50, and just like with the rest of your body, don’t forget to keep reapplying every couple of hours for the best protection.

Recap: EWG Sunscreen Guide

We all know how important it is to wear sunscreen every single day. But beyond just wearing sunscreen, you have to wear the right sunscreen. Utilizing the EWG Sunscreen Guide will help taking guessing out of the equation when looking for sunscreen that is best for you or for your loved ones.

Rather than having to look through the ingredients on sunscreens yourself, EWG does it for you. The EWG sunscreen guide provides all the pertinent information you need to make smarter and more informed decisions about which sunscreens to put on your body. Protecting your skin should be everyone’s utmost concern, and that starts with wearing the right sunscreen products.