Category: Sunscreens

Dad’s need a little coddling too!


Take turns test-driving an MG convertible car with the sunroof down!
MG Convertible Image: Free Digital Photos

Last month was Skin Cancer Awareness month & we posted an article about a young woman with melanoma skin cancer. You can read the article here: http://bit.ly/1IRFwPP.  Which brings us to this month…

This month, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21st. So do something thoughtful & caring for your dad & his health. Let dad know that skin cancer is incredibly common, & the rates of the deadliest form, melanoma, are rising. Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with melanoma & much more likely to die of it. So what point am I trying to make? The point is that men need to do more to protect themselves from the sun; they should educate themselves about proper sun protection.

Here’s an idea for a gift, even if it’s not on his ‘Wish List’. When dad is work, work, working – be it on the deck, tending to his garden, or sipping on a cool drink, show him that you care by giving him a sun care product that has a no- to low- cancer causing hazard from Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.

Dad’s need a little coddling too so take him on a family picnic or take turns test-driving a car with the sunroof down! Either way, just enjoy his company.

Happy Father’s Day!

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Are you faced with the worries of skin cancer and want to avoid the use of toxic sunscreens?


The sun is drawn on shoulder with sunscreen.
Are you faced with the worries of skin cancer and want to avoid the use of toxic sunscreens?

The Chicago weather forecast is looking good so far and it’s warming up nicely. Pretty soon, it’ll be 85-90 degrees and we’ll be outside soaking up the warm sun.

But before we run out into the sun with kids in tow, please read this article from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) about the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) failure to establish workable sunscreen standards that are a contributing factor to children’s vitamin D deficiencies and resulting health risks.

Also, EWG states that insufficient amounts of vitamin D are believed to play a role in the development of heart disease, some immune disorders, diabetes, and even the flu, while excess UVA exposures can contribute to skin cancer and skin aging.

(EWG followed up with the following article about the ‘House Readies to Advance Sunscreen Innovation Act.’ This group does some amazing work to keep our kids, and our family safe from hazardous products.)

Bottom line is…Use good sunscreen – but don’t depend on it.

Do yourself a favor and examine the section titled 2014 Sunscreen Guide on their website. It’ll motivate you to search for ‘green’ sunscreens that have a low cancer hazard score; and you can filter out if they come in lotion or stick form as well. You’re able to see how well your current sunscreen ranks too! I can’t say enough about EWG!

After reading and researching about the good, the bad, and the ugly sunscreens, then make a knowledgeable decision about which less toxic sunscreen to use on your kids and yourself before going out in the sun.

Please let us know what you find out about your favorite sunscreen. Does it have a hazardous score? Is it in the red, yellow, or green category? Will you search for a ‘greener’ product to use?