Screen Test: Reading the Micro-Fine Print

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Old Favorites

Avalon Organics Baby Avalon Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 18, good for babies and adults with sensitive skin; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping babies younger than six months out of direct sunlight and only applying sunscreen when shade is unavailable ($9.95/3.5 oz. bottle, www.avalonorganics.com, 877-263-9456)

California Baby No Fragrance and Everyday/Year-Round SPF 18/30 Moisturizing Sunscreen lotions ($17.99) and sticks ($12.99) with TiO2 (www.californiababy.com, 877-576-2825)

EcoLani SPF 15 sunscreen with TiO2 also contains micronized Green Coffee Extract, which reflects ultraviolet light ($15/4 oz. bottle, www.lanisimpson.com/ecolani).

JASON Natural Sunbrella Chemical-free Sun Block SPF 30+ ($19/6 oz) and Earth's Best Chemical-Free Sunblock SPF 30 for kids ($12.48) with TiO2 and ZO (www.jason-natural.com, 877-527-6601).

Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Moisturizer includes organic white grape and pomegrante juices ($29/2 oz.) and the Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer contains a brightening hydroxy-acid complex of organic apple and lemon juices ($38/1.7 oz; www.juicebeauty.com, 415-457-4600).

A Final Note: In January 2007, the FDA approved a new sunscreen called Mexoryl SX, or ecamsule, for use in the U.S. Hailed by dermatologists as a highly effective UV-A barrier, the only product in which it is currently used is L'Oreal's Anthelios SX. However, to make the sunscreen a broad-spectrum UV-A and UV-B protector, avobenzone was added, which, as previously stated, may damage DNA.

Resources

Sunscreens and Sunblocks Product Report www.thegreenguide.com

For practical tips on sun protection, see www.greenerpenny.com.

"Nanoparticles: Small Ingredients, Big Risks," Friends of the Earth, www.foe.org

International Center for Technology Assessment, www.icta.org

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