Reviews
Luschka 173

Suncream, sun screen, sun block, or whatever else you want to call it is an important part of summer. We all know – at least most of us do – how important it is to cover up especially the sensitive skins of our children. So, we head into the nearest shop and buy the first sunblock we can either afford, or that has the highest SPF factor for the sake of those little skins.

Unfortunately, not all is well in the world of summer protection.

Green people Organic Children sun lotionI read an interesting article at Dr. Momma, which I’ll paraphrase and share from here:

A study in the US last year revealed that almost half of the 500 most popular sunscreen products may actually increase the speed at which skin cancer develops, because of the ingredients found in the sun creams.

Worryingly, according to the researchers, the FDA have known about this for more than ten years and not informed consumers – which, of course, they deny. The Environmental Working Group, who conducted the study and wrote the report, said that only 39 of the 500 products that they examined were considered safe and effective to use.

So what are the ingredients to look out for next time you reach for the white stuff?

  • Oxybenzone, which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream is a hormone disruptor
  • Retinol (Retinyl) Palmitate is believed to result in cancerous tumors when used on skin exposed to sunlight

An interesting issue is that of suncreams that contain Titanium Oxide or Dioxide. While the powdered form of Titanium Oxide can cause lung cancer in those mining for it, it is still used in almost every suncream on the market as the best UVA protector.

From the EWG website:

Our top-rated sunscreens all contain the minerals zinc or titanium. They are the right choice for people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor.

Another point about SPF that’s worth knowing is that the FDA has “proposed regulations that would prohibit manufacturers from labeling sunscreens with an SPF higher than “SPF 50.” The agency wrote that higher values would be “inherently misleading,” given that “there is no assurance that the specific values themselves are in fact truthful.”

While suncream prevents more damage than it causes, it’s important that consumers are given realistic and honest information on the limitations of the products we’re using on our skin so that we can make the necessary adjustments – like wearing hats, and staying in the shade.

Soooo… on to the giveaway….

I’ve written about GreenPeople’s sun block for children before. It’s something we use all the time, and I love it. For a child with very sensitive skin (Johnson & Johnson products give her a rash!) this is the best product on the market. It doesn’t contain Oxybenzoate (so has no hormone disruptors) or Vitamin A by-products . It doesn’t contain SLS, parabens, parfum or any of the ‘usual’ allergens and chemicals.

GreenPeople suncreams are SPF factor 25, which is ample for the protection from UVB – which cause sunburn – and the more important UVA rays.

GreenPeople have also won a 2010 beauty award from Natural Health Magazine for these products.

To win some of this lovely suncream, as well as the Aloe Vera Lotion and After Sun (valued at £25.56), go to the GreenPeople website then return here and leave a comment telling me which of the suncreams you would prefer (there are two options to choose from, both awesome!)

For ONE additional entry, you can also follow either GreenPeopleUK or Diary of A First Child on Facebook (or both, but still only one entry!)Remember to leave a second comment here telling me you’ve followed, or your entry wont be added.

The competition closes on the 4th of April at 12:00 (NOON) and the winner will be drawn using Random.org. Please check back here for results.

And the winner is: Lisa


You do not have to tweet or share this competition to enter, but doing so helps ensure that I can keep bringing you giveaways! You can subscribe to Diary of a First Child by RSS or email. You can also follow us on Facebook or on Twitter. We hope to see you back again soon!

Tags:
Categories: Competitions Products Reviews

Author: Luschka

173 Comments

GreenPeople Sunscreen Giveaway – Sunscreen: Did You Know?

  6. Would love to win the Lavender Children’s sun lotion as I love the smell of lavender and have struggled to find a sun cream that doesn’t make my younger daughter’s eczema flare up.

    Reply

  11. Lavender Children’s Sun Lotion SPF25 as it has the effectiveness of a decent suncream & the relaxing scent of lavender perfect for babies who get stressed in the hot days of our summer. I have been looking for a trustworthy suncream for our children for nearly a decade now. All of them get eczema so we have to be very careful, however all love the great outdoors so they have to be protected too.

    Reply

  12. The lavender SPF 25 would be ideal for our baby Ruby Mae. We grow lavender in our garden & find the perfume very soothing.

    Reply

  15. Oy! Face the Sun SPF15

    Wouldn’t mind giving this a try as you always look healthier with a bit of a tan and I never wear make up (never got the hang of it). Might just have to save up for some.

    Reply

  26. The Lavender SPF25 sun lotion please. Lavender is a lovely smell not usually associated with suncream so it would be interesting to try it 🙂

    Reply

  35. Lavender SPF25 sun lotion for children with sensitive skin – sounds like the best option and I love the calming soothing scent of Lavender.

    Reply

  41. No Scent Children’s Sun Lotion SPF25 is my choice.
    For an extra entry I have ‘liked’ GreenPeople UK on FB x
    Emma L Clarke

    Reply

  44. No Scent Children’s Sun Lotion SPF25. I would love to win this as both my children suffer from sensitive skin and burn easily in the sun.

    Reply

  64. No Scent Children’s Sun Lotion SPF25 would be fab as my granson is allergic to most suncreams

    Reply

  83. No Scent Children’s Sun Lotion SPF25 please.It looks excellent.Thanks for the article it has some good warnings about regular sun tan lotions.

    Reply

  107. I would like the Lavender Children’s Sun Lotion SPF25 please. Great level of protection and the name evokes a wonderful smell. Hopefullu the relaxting qulities of lavendar will induce a blissfully calm holiday!

    Reply

  123. Following GreenPeopleUK and Diary of A First Child on facebook as Jo Bryan.
    Thanks love a second chance in life as well as a competition hehe!!

    Reply

  124. What a brilliant giveaway, thank you. It would have to be the Lavender SPF25 sun lotion as it also wards off mosquitoes a little too. So a fab all in one lotion.

    Reply

  133. no scent lotion, if i was lucky, for my great gran son jacob, passed your website on, to granddaughter, who is very intrested, have liked on facebook and twitter
    @oldwalshy

    Reply

  137. Used the lavender on number one child since she has needed it and will do on number two this summer. Would love a free tube.

    Reply

  146. We use the Lavender Children’s Sun Lotion SPF25 and would love to win some more for my lovely girls (1 & 2 yrs) Liked on Facebook as well.

    Reply

  160. I would love to win Lavender SPF25 sun lotion for children with sensitive skin. The lavender would be cooling and calming on the skin and alos act as a natural insect repellent. No nasty deet.

    Reply

  167. We use their unscented sunscreen, it’s one of only two natural sunscreens that Jenna isn’t allergic to. (And I already “like” you on FB so that’s two entries for me LOL.)

    I’m not entirely convinced whether or not it is ideal to use sun skin protection, I’m not with the conspiracy theorists just yet (ala Dr Mercola) but am using sunscreens less often and alternating covering up, exposing our skin when the skin is less hot, avoiding the hotter parts of the day, and using protection when I can’t keep covered or indoors… It’s not so very clear cut as I would like it to be! But with a family history of skin cancer, I’m wary!

    Reply

    1. @Sarah, I hear you Sarah! I am totally in two minds on it all too – although in SA, I’ve been DEFINITELY putting sunblock on Kyra after a few minutes in the sun. I do think we need the VIT D for all sorts of things – but … but … but… yeah.

      I’m not quite at conspiracy theory levels yet either, but I do think there’s plenty merit in being aware and careful! I’d love to do some further research on this, but how much can we ever really know!?

      By the way, count this as your second entry for following, cause otherwise you only have the one!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.