Natural Sun Protection

Protecting our skin from the sun is an important part of my family's daily ritual, especially in the summer time. While the rays were beating down on us, we tried a whole host of products designed to guard us from the harmful radiation of the sun. From sprays, sticks, and creams, here are some of our newfound favorites:

GENERAL PROTECTION - SIRJJ Filtre SPF 30 Moisturizing Lotion

Upon realizing conventional products were stripping the nutrients from her skin, mom Sarah Johnson designed a line of natural skin nutrition products to spruce up her own complexion. Using pure, organic herb powders, aloe vera whole leaves, organic cold pressed and unrefined oils and butters without fillers, thickeners, extracts, and the lowest level of emulsifiers possible, SIRJJ uses the medicinal properties of their ingredients to replenish starved skin.

Their Filtre SPF 30 Moisturizing Lotion is a physical block, not a chemical block, using zinc and titanium oxide to block out UVA & UBV rays. Though similar in texture and application to a drug-store sunscreen, this natural lotion is packed with antioxidant powerhouses like acai berries, green tea and acerola berries, providing your skin with a healthy dose of vitamins A, C, D, & E, flavonoids and polyphenols.

For providing a skin-nourishing lotion from whole ingredients, SIRJJ Filtre SPF 30 Moisturizing Lotion earns the Naturally Savvy Seal of Approval.

Visit www.sirjj.com for more information.

FOR SPORTS - KINeSYS SPF 30 Alcohol Free Sunscreen Spray

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Those are the Three R's that KINeSYS were founded on. Eco-conscious by design, they package their products in 100% recyclable High Density Polyethylene BPA-free bottles, purchase clean, renewable wind power to generate electricity for their facilities, and don't use ingredients that accumulate in the body or the environment. Their sunscreens provide photo-stable UVA & UVB protection that is easy to apply at any point on a day out in the sun.

Their mango scented SPF 30 Alcohol Free Sunscreen Spray is very easy to use. You simply spray it on -- no need to rub it in -- and it dries quickly, without an oily residue. The quick application of this sunscreen is perfect for my antsy kids who just want to go out and play. My son especially loved the spray, having the tendency to argue with me every morning unless I used the blue KINeSYS bottle for his arms and legs (my daughter prefered the pink bottle).

For creating an eco-conscious,  easy-to-use spray-on sunscreen that is water and sweat resistant, KINeSYS SPF 30 Alcohol Free Sunscreen Spray earns the Naturally Savvy Seal of Approval.

Visit www.kinesys.com for more information.

FOR DRY FACES - Eco Lips Face Stick SPF 30

An organic lip balm brand that takes on the conventional petroleum-based balms on the market, Eco Lips have been making their way around the world, one set of lips at a time. Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, they take eco-living seriously -- their products are all hand crafted in their solar powered plant.

On top of their different lines of lip balms, they also manufacture the SPF 30 Face Stick that blocks harmful UV rays while moisturizing and healing dry skin. Currently the most organic sunscreen on the market with 82% certified organic ingredients, this sun screen stick goes on with a smooth, even application that offers balanced protection. Eco Lips Face Stick was a wonder with my kids. It made the battle of putting sunscreen on their faces much, much easier -- in fact, they volunteer to put it on themselves!

For making sun protection that my kids ask to put on every day, Eco Lips Face Stick earns the Naturally Savvy Seal of Approval.

Visit www.ecolips.com for more information.

FOR OILY FACES - Ole Henriksen Sun-light Protection Creme with Chamomile SPF 30

Originally from a small town in Denmark, Ole Henriksen made a name for himself and his brand when he entered the Los Angeles skin care scene in 1975. Using his passion for natural skin care combined with his degree in cosmetic chemistry, his brand was a huge hit among the Hollywood elite. In 1999, he launched his skin care line into the retail market at reasonable prices, allowing people all over the world to pamper their skin like Hollywood celebrities.

His Sun-light Protection Creme with Chamomile SPF 30 for oily skin minimizes damage caused by the sun and environmental pollutants. It protects against UVA & UVB rays, while softening and soothing skin with natural extracts that contain skin tightening properties.  The light texture of this paraben-free sunscreen is perfect for a day out in the sun, without the heavy, greasy feeling common in many sunscreens.

For creating facial sun protection that doesn't weigh down your skin, Ole Henriksen's Sun-ligh Protection Creme with Chamomile SPF 30 earns the Naturally Savvy Seal of Approval.

DAILY FACE PROTECTION - The Body Deli Fresh Cell Day Cream Solar Defense

Created by David Parker and Margaret Skarin in Palm Dessert, California in 2002, The Body Deli offers nutrition for the skin, both inside and out. Inspired by natural living and driven by the science of living foods, their small, handmade batches of skin care products use nutrient-rich ingredients to deliver fresh vitamins, enzymes and minerals at their peak potency.

The Body Deli's Fresh Cell Day Cream Solar Defense pulls double duty as a facial moisturizer and sun protection. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Superoxide Dimutase neutralize free radical damage to improve the look of your complexion, while infused minerals reflect harmful rays away from the face.  With ingredients like green & white tea extract, organic virgin coconut oil, pomegranate, pumpkin, carrot, and blood orange, this luxurious cream is a real treat for any mom's morning prep.

For turning daily sun protection into an indulgence, The Body Deli Fresh Cell Day Cream Solar Defense earns the Naturally Savvy Seal of Approval.

Visit www.TheBodyDeli.com for more information.

FOR BABY - Substance Natural Baby Sunscreen by Maternitique

Tara Bloom founded Maternitique in 2007, following her concern over reproductive toxins, carcinogens, and teratogens in beauty products that can affect fetal health. Her company makes products for both mom and baby, ranging from safe pregnancy beauty skin care, labor and delivery support, postpartum healing products, breastfeeding aids, organic luxury bedding, natural gifts and toys, and safe, non-toxic skin care.

Their Substance Natural Baby Sunscreen is an effective sun block that provides a natural, chemical-free physical barrier to block out both UVA and UVB rays. It uses 20% micronized zinc oxide, which has the added bonus of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties over chemical sun screens. It is water resistant with an SPF of 30, protecting baby's delicate skin for up to 40 minutes. The lotion also moisturizes with shea butter and jojoba oil, and cools and soothes skin with calendula, grapeseed and green tea extracts. It contains no parabens, no oxybenzone, and no sodium larual sulfates, so natural moms can feel comfortable using it on their little ones.

For giving moms peace of mind when it comes to sun protection for their babies, Maternitique's Substance Natural Baby Sunscreen earns the Naturally Savvy Seal of Approval.

Visit www.maternitique.com for more information.