Sunscreens and Insect Repellents

Sunscreens and Insect Repellents by Molly Rauch, M.PH. The most nontoxic, simple way to protect your family from sunburn and insect bites: Cover up! A long-sleeve shirt, long pants, shoes, socks and a hat can keep you burn- and bite-free all summer long. But for those skin-baring times, here are some effective and least-toxic products.

SUNSCREEN:

Look for products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and that stop both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays. Most effective and least toxic is zinc oxide, a thick, nonirritating white paste that physically blocks UVA and UVB rays. Some products use zinc oxide in see-through formulas, but check labels to see if they contain benzophenone (or oxybenzone),or P-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA), which may cause allergic reactions. And benzophenone caused breast cancer cells to multiply in test tubes in a 2001 study in Switzerland. California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen and Aubrey Organics Titania Sunblock (SPF 25, with PABA) are benzophenone-free, and use titanium dioxide, a physical block like zinc oxide that does not protect against UVA quite as thoroughly.

If you can't find the products above, sunscreens containing Parsol 1789 (or avobenzone) also provide good UVA/UVB protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that although it's safe to apply sunscreen to infants under six months old, it's best to keep them out of the sun.

INSECT REPELLENT:

The most common active ingredient in insect repellents is DEET, which may appear on labels as N, N-Diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-Diethyl-3-Methyl benzamide. Although effective against mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects, DEET's qualities as an eye irritant, its ability to cause sometimes severe skin irritation, and its association with some cases of seizure and other neurological problems, including three deaths, suggest that it's wise to minimize exposure by selecting a product containing 10 percent or less, such as Off! Skintastic Family Formula or Cutter All Family. Do not use DEET on children under two years of age, and do not apply to hands or faces, on cuts or sunburned skin.

Among DEET-free insect repellents, Bite Blocker was rated by Consumer Reports as effective against mosquitoes for from one to four hours; its active ingredient is soybean oil. Another plant-based option is Green Ban, which claims also to repel ticks.