Badger SPF 30 for Face and Body has an impressive 20.5% of Micronized Zinc Oxide for full spectrum protection. The sun is not going to cut through this stuff much, if at all! A Mixture of natural oils and other natural ingredients allow it to also be water resistant for up to 40 minutes. If you want to be in the sun with maximum full spectrum protection, this sunscreen is an excellent choice.

One of my main motivations in trying some of the products near the top of the database was whether their high levels of physical blockers would leave traces of white on the skin. I found that Badger SPF 30 initially goes on with a tint of white, but that it absorbs fairly quickly. It definitely does not show with a hint of makeup over it. I also found that its water resistance was very good. I wore the product in the pool for about 45 minutes with no issues of burning or reactivating my melasma.

I personally liked the Badger Sunblock, but there are a few things about it that should be taken into consideration if you are considering it as a sunscreen:

First, it is pretty heavy on the oils, which is part of why it is so water resistant. In fact, I could still feel the product on my face after spending time in the pool.  As a result, I found that I felt a bit too oily with it on at times if I was not using it for its water resistant properties. However, it was perfect for swimming or sweating while working in the yard and is my new first choice for those activities.  I am also guessing that when I start getting drier skin in the fall, the Badger Sunscreen will be one that I will reach for.  If you have dry skin, this sunscreen might be perfect for you. If you have oily skin, you might want to try something with less oils or use this one only when swimming or otherwise need water resistence .

Second, it is scented with a floral aroma. It smells the most like lavender to me, which is one of the ingredients. I don’t mind the scent, but if you want an unscented product, this is not for you.

Badger also makes some really neat other products. I love, love, love their lip balm! I also really like their Badger Balm. I will be reviewing those in the near future.

Age:

For Use: Face (does not sting the eyes) and body. Created especially for those who cannot tolerate fragrance. May be used everyday/year-round

Scent: No fragrance or scent masking agents

SPF Protection Level: Provides high-level protection against sunburn.
Water Resistant: Retains effectiveness after 80 minutes of activity in water or perspiring.

Product description: Pop this convenient PABA free, non-chemical, fragrance-free sunblock stick into your pocket, purse or diaper bag. The whole family will love this easy-to-use stick that gives those “hot spots” a boost of extra protection. Our non-chemical sunblock stick employs a highly micronized, non-whitening titanium dioxide that scatters and reflects dangerous UV rays, offering UVA-UVB broad-spectrum protection. Non-staining formula. It glides on smoothly for easy application. May be used in combination with our SPF30+ sunscreen lotions

Dermatologists and the American Cancer Society urge the use of sunscreen everyday and year-round.

A note from Jessica, developer of California Baby®: I have found this stick to be so convenient; it’s the perfect answer if you have trouble applying a sunscreen lotion onto your child, and it takes the struggle out of touch-up applications. For excellent results, start with one of our sunscreen lotions, and then apply the stick to over-exposed or sensitive areas throughout the day. I use the stick daily on my youngest son to protect a small scar he has on his face – with one quick stroke – it’s done before the complaints can start!

For Grownups:

* Moms, our sunblock works great under make-up because it is non-greasy and creates a nice “cover-up” base under foundation or powder.
* Winter use: Since studies show that the risk of sunburn increases at higher altitudes, it’s especially important to wear sunscreen on the slopes.

Even if you stay at the same elevation all winter long, don’t let winter’s chill fool you, the sun is still strong and can do lots of damage to your skin. The gentle water resistant formula won’t drip into your eyes and sting when you sweat. Clouded vision from runny sunscreen is annoying on the beach and on the ski slopes it can be downright dangerous.

Benefits & Features:

* Contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients
* No fragrance or scent masking agents
* UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection
* Water Resistant
* Non-whitening micro-titanium dioxide
* No Octyl Methoxycinnamate
* PABA free
* Scatters and reflects UV rays
* Non-chemical sun block
* Non-invasive formula, hypoallergenic
* Non-comedogenic
* Non-staining formula

Tip:

* Wearing a hat and sunglasses are also important.

Solar Rx is an everyday moisturizing cosmetic sunblock for the face, neck and hands. Solar Rx is not designed to be used for going to the beach, sun bathing, sports or water activities. The moisturizing properties and cosmetically clear sunblock make it ideal for everyday use as a foundation for makeup or alone. Solar Rx was designed to offer the maximum physical protection from UVA and SPF 30 for UVB burning rays without using a chemical sunscreen. As a cosmetic UV protection, it goes on clear with no heavy oily feeling or white cast. Solar Rx can be applied once a day for under makeup with minimal direct sun exposure. For direct sun exposure, we recommend reapplying at least every two hours on the face neck and hands. Tropical and high intensity sun conditions require even more frequent application. UV index ratings of 8 and above for average skin can require application as much as every 15 minutes as tested using a UV meter. This is not a product for sun bathing, extreme hot weather sports or swimming.

Keys Solar Rx is featured on the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Report as the safest sunscreen on the market. Keys Solar Rx was featured as the most effective non-waterproof category sunblock for UVA and UVB in the Consumer Reports July 2007 issue. It is rare to find a product that is both safe to use and effective.

Keys Solar Rx carries a UVB (UV Burning) rating of SPF 30+ and a UVA (UV Aging) of four stars using the EU rating system. It is important to note that 90% of all visible skin aging comes from UVA. Be very careful of sunscreens with high SPF numbers that do not rate their UVA protection. High SPF rated chemical sunscreens will prevent burning, but often do little to provide UVA protection.

Solar Rx is both moisturizer and sunblock. It combines the healing soothing properties of our Luminos Moisturizer and adds a 18.5% concentration of uncoated nano-zinc oxide to provide a physical UVA and UVB blocking to protect against UV triggered Melanoma and Skin Cancer. Our nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) is uncoated to provide healing therapies associated with zinc oxide. The uncoated zinc has also proven to be anti-bacterial and antimicrobial and can reduce redness, rosacea, age spots and melasma. Solar Rx carries a EWG Skin Deep Rating of 0 (0 to 10 scale where 0 is best).

”As a Melanoma survivor, I developed Solar Rx to protect people with sensitive skin from UVA and UVB radiation. We use no chemical sunscreens, only pure uncoated zinc oxide in a natural lotion base. Solar Rx is for those who want to avoid the extreme aging effects of UVA and UVB on a daily basis.” Wendy Steele, Keys CEO and Founder

Contains: 18.5% nano zinc-oxide (uncoated), 10% shea butter, avocado oil, carrot seed oil, black cumin oil, essential oil blend, purified water, vegetable glycerin, USP kosher vegetable wax (from palm), rosemary extract. Organic content > 80%. Note: Keep at cool or room temperatures, product may separate if overheated.

Available in 2 Sizes: 100 ml (3.4 oz) Airless Pump & 0.5 oz (15ml) sample size ($4.49)
*Scented with a Light solvent-free Grapefruit & Orange Essential Oil Blend*Safe for Vegans*
ULTRA SHEER – NO WHITE-TINT * NO TITANIUM DIOXIDE *

As is increasingly the case, non-profit groups are now doing the job the FDA should be doing but refuses to do. In this case, the Environmental Working Group (www.EWG.org), one of my top recommended non-profit organizations, has compiled a list of 700 name-brand sunscreens along with the toxic chemicals they contain. You’ll find the list at http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/

As the EWG reports, many sunscreen products contain cancer-causing chemicals that get absorbed right through the skin:

Some sunscreens absorb into the blood and raise safety concerns. Our review of the technical literature shows that some sunscreen ingredients absorb into the blood, and some are linked to toxic effects. Some release skin-damaging free radicals in sunlight, some act like estrogen and could disrupt hormone systems, several are strongly linked to allergic reactions, and still others may build up in the body or the environment. FDA has not established rigorous safety standards for sunscreen ingredients.

After 29 years of debate, the government has failed to set mandatory sunscreen safety standards. Companies are free to make their own decisions on everything from advertising claims to product quality. In lieu of setting final standards, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises people to stay out of the sun from 10 am to 4 pm. FDA now stands in direct violation a Congressional mandate requiring the agency to finalize sunscreen safety standards by May 2006, flouting not only Congress but also consumers, who are reliant on sunscreen to protect their health.

84% of sunscreen products harm consumers
As the EWG’s research reveals, an incredible 84% of sunscreen products are harmful to consumers. You read that right: More than four out of five sunscreen products actually harm the people who use them.

* How high should the SPF be?

* Should it block UVA or UVB?

* Does it matter whether it is a gel, cream, or spray?

* Should it be water-resistant or waterproof?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. The SPF numbers on a product can range from as low as 2 to as high as 60. These numbers refer to the product’s ability to screen or block out the sun’s burning rays. The SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce sunburn on protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin. The higher the SPF, the greater the sun protection. However, it is a common mistake to assume that the duration of effectiveness of a sunscreen can be calculated simply by multiplying the SPF by the length of time it takes for him or her to suffer a burn without sunscreen, because the amount of sun exposure a person receives is dependent upon more than just the length of time spent in the sun. The amount of sun exposure depends upon a number of factors including the length of exposure, time of day, geographic location, and weather conditions.

The sun’s rays contain different wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light. The two types of UV rays that pass through the earth’s atmosphere and cause damage to the skin are UVB and UVA. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn and affects the outer layer of skin.

The strength of UVB radiation depends upon the time of day, season of the year, and geographic location. UVB rays are most intense from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are stronger in summer, at higher altitudes, and closer to the equator.

Unlike UVB rays, which do not penetrate glass, UVA rays can travel through window glass and damage the deeper layers of the skin. Both UVA and UVB light contribute to age-related changes in the skin such as wrinkles, freckles, age spots, and prominent blood vessels. Both UVA and UVB exposure raise the risk of skin cancer.

Sunscreens can be broadly classified into two categories: chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation while physical sunscreens act by physically blocking it. Chemical sunscreens can be UVA or UVB absorbers. Many sunscreens have a combination of ingredients and may contain both physical and chemical sunscreens.

Physical sunscreens are good blockers of both UVA and UVB radiation. The two most common physical blockers of UV radiation are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Examples of chemical sunscreens include:

* PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid): Rarely found in modern preparations, PABA was an early chemical sunscreen that often induced sensitivity reactions.

* PABA esters (glyceryl, padimate A and padimate O): These newer preparations have fewer side effects than the original PABA.

* Salicylates (homosalate, octyl salicylate)

* Cinnamates (cinoxate, octyl methoxycinnamate or octocrylene): Octocylene is a cinnamate with both UVA and UVB absorbing properties.

* Benzophenones: These can absorb both UVA and UVB rays.

* Ecamsule (Mexoryl) is a potent UVA blocking compound.

Since both UVA and UVB radiation can be damaging, an ideal sunscreen provides protection from both types of radiation. The SPF system measures only the degree of protection from UVB rays. No rating system exists that measures the degree of protection from UVA exposure.

Most experts recommend reading the list of ingredients in a sunscreen to see if it has broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) coverage. Many products labeled as “broad spectrum” or “UVA blockers” do not adequately block UVA rays. A good broad-spectrum sunscreen should contain avobenzone, ecamsule (Mexoryl), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide for significant UVA protection.

Whether you choose a lotion, stick, gel, or cream sunscreen depends largely on your skin type and personal preference. Oil-free gels are good solutions for facial skin prone to breakouts, and sprays may make application to the back and shoulders easier.

“Water-resistant” sunscreens should retain their protective ability for at least 40 minutes in water. Those labeled “waterproof” should protect the skin for 80 minutes in water.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on a daily basis throughout the year. An important note is that no sunscreen can be effective unless it is properly and frequently applied. About 1 ounce (5-6 teaspoons) of sunscreen is recommended to cover the entire body. Further, sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours when staying outdoors for a prolonged period of time.

A sunblock is stronger than a sunscreen. A sunblock contains chemicals that block the sun’s rays by reflecting and scattering them. In other words, a sunblock acts as a physical barrier. Previously, only titanium dioxide was used; it was responsible for the white noses of lifeguards. Now, manufacturers distribute smaller particles of titanium dioxide throughout the sunblock so that it does not create a “white shield” or they use other ingredients that also effectively block the sun.

Sunscreens protect the skin because their chemicals absorb UV rays, thereby preventing them from penetrating the skin. UV rays are not visible to the human eye. Broad-spectrum sunscreens are recommended because they protect against both types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deeper than UVB rays and cause skin damage that results in premature aging and wrinkling. UVB rays are mainly responsible for sunburn and long-term skin damage. A sunburn is usually a first or second degree burn. Protection from these rays is important as they can disrupt the skin cells’ genetic material and cause skin cancer.

Mists and accelerators can achieve a tan without burning your skin. You can do this by protecting your skin at the beach with a sunblock or strong sunscreen and then applying a self-tanner.

A self-tanner may be a spray, creme or gel. These products give you varying degrees of the tan you always wanted without harming your skin. These products are applied to the skin and leave a smooth “tan” in as little as two to three hours. A key phrase in the promotions of these products is “non-streaking.”. Be aware though that a self-tanner does not protect you from the sun unless it also contains sunscreens.