Green Screen® Organic Sunscreen:
Product Review
Organic Sunscreen Performance Rating 4.5 Stars out of 5 Stars
I've been super-cautious about using sunscreen on my daughter, even those labeled organic sunscreen. The abundance of conflicting information available on the news and internet has had me concerned that many of the chemicals used in sunscreens are just as harmful if not more than the rays of the sun themselves. As a result we stayed out of the hot, Texas sun as much as we could and used natural sun protection methods when we would get more than the recommended 15 - 30 minutes of unprotected sun exposure each day. However, in preparation for a recent vacation I knew the whole family needed more substantial protection in order to enjoy our time outdoors and by the pool. An online friend brought my attention to the Kabana Skin Care company. They make a sunscreen called Green Screen® made with organic and natural ingredients and (non nanoparticle) zinc oxide, a mineral sun protectant. The SPF 20 Organic Sunscreen is made with 25% zinc oxide, Eldorado Springs Artesian Water, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Shea Butter, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax and Vegetable Vitamin E. What I like about this list is that most of them are edible or common grade! The SPF 15 formula has the same ingredients and is made with 20% zinc oxide. However, the SPF 15 formula does not have certified organic ingredients. It is actually labeled as "all natural" vs. organic. According to the company's website zinc oxide is a safer and more effective sunscreen than titanium dioxide for the following reasons. Zinc oxide absorbs across more IV wavelengths. Zinc is a critical mineral nutrient found in vitamins, verses titanium, a toxic heavy metal. Titanium Dioxide creates more free radicals that can do oxidative damage to your body, skin and cells. My original research had told me that some free radical damage does occur with zinc oxide. However, the Kabana Skin Care website addresses this issue by saying that contrary to titanium dioxide, zinc oxide absorbs the sun's intense UV rays and "turns it into comparably harmless infrared, which it disposes of as heat" rather than dumping the UV rays back into your body's cellular structures. Finally, zinc is generally regarded as safe to use on babies under six months. One more thing about zinc oxide. It leaves a white film that doesn't blend in with the skin; especially darker shades. However, we prefer healthy skin long-term over temporarily glistening skin on a day in the pool. Kabana Skin Care does offer a tinted version, the SPF 22 ßunscreen formula, to compensate for this problem. They use iron oxide for tinting, which is what is used to tint mineral make up. However, we decided to forgo the extra ingredient, because the white film gives peace of mind that the product is on and not washed away in the water. My Recommendation: Special days in the sun deserve special consideration. If extended exposure to the sun is not the norm, than you may not need daily application of organic sunscreen. However, having one on hand that contains ingredients that you are comfortable with is a good idea for the entire family. For my family the Unscented Green Screen SPF 20 is a good option. We enjoyed our day in the sun, I worried less and therefore had more fun. If your baby lives near a beach or a part of the world where the sun's rays are more intense, more frequent sunscreen application may be required. However, consider complementing the use of Kabana sunscreen with sun protective clothing and avoiding the sun's peak hours to keep your baby's skin at optimal health.
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