healthy living
Bug repellants and sunscreens
Choose among natural, synthetic, lotions, spray-ons and more… LEA HANSON
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mong the endless polarizing topics of parenthood, sunscreen and insect repellant is a frontrunner once summertime hits. As parents, we spend a lot of time thinking about and monitoring what we put inside of our kids’ bodies; it’s important to spend comparable time analyzing what we put on the outside of our kids’ bodies, as well. We’re all concerned about different things. Many of us are searching for insect and sun protection with more natural ingredients, others try to analyze and understand the difference between products we apply (lotions) versus products we spray on. SUNSCREEN While many parents have been getting the message about switching from chemical sunscreens to mineral versions, it is still a concern how parents are using them. One trend is parents looking to buy higher and higher SPF values, for example. However, when people use higher SPF values, they tend to forego regular reapplication, use less of it, and/ or spend more time in the sun—all unhealthy sun exposure habits. It’s probably a better idea to stick with an SPF range of 30-50 and practice other healthy, safe behaviors simultaneously. Here are some additional tips regarding sunscreen:
• Seek out products that use three percent avobenzone if they are chemical sunscreens or the ones that use zinc oxide as the active ingredient in natural versions. They do the best job of filtering out UVA radiation across the spectrum of UVA radiation. • Seek out products that use a higher percentage of zinc oxide—typically you’ll find 15 to 20 percent, or three percent avobenzone. • Look at inactive ingredients on the label. If possible, avoid products that use
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retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) and avoid products using oxybenzone. • Avoid spray products—they’re convenient but not the best choice. You don’t get a uniform coating on the skin. Plus, given the concern about the ingredients in these products, we really don’t want to coat the inside of our lungs with sunscreen.
INSECT REPELLANT The American Academy of Pediatrics says insect repellents containing DEET are safe for children as young as two months. Bug repellents with DEET come in varying strengths—some contain up to 30-percent DEET. And note: a higher concentration of DEET doesn’t mean a product is stronger, only that it lasts longer. Many parents are adverse to the idea of using DEET and prefer an alternative. Picaridin is relatively new in the U.S. and is an option getting more and more notoriety. It is an odorless synthetic ingredient found in some bug repellents.
It is similar to DEET and provides long-lasting protection against bugs. If you’re a parent who prefers non-synthetic options, there are several. Natural repellents are made with plant oils such as citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and cedarwood. They generally need to be reapplied more often than products containing DEET. Once you’ve chosen a bug repellent, it’s important that you use it properly. Apply product only to exposed skin. You might want to put it on your hands first, then rub it on your child so you don’t use too much. Wash the repellent off when your child is done being outside. Finally, the combination. Lotions that combine bug repellent and sunscreen might sound like a good idea, but they aren’t. The reason is that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every few hours, but you shouldn’t expose your children to that much bug repellent. Take the time to apply each product separately unless you know you will only be outside for a few hours.