Family
FITFAM
with Ziggy Makant
FEEL-GOOD ZINC
T
he scorching Hong Kong summer is upon us, and as an ecoconscious mama, I want to make sure that my sunscreen is both child-friendly and ocean-safe. Deciphering the ingredients on a label, however, can make that challenging. Here’s how I choose my family’s sunscreen. The best protection is always covering up or staying in the shade, so consider full-length swimsuits and a sun hat with a large brim, particularly if your child is sun-sensitive.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Select a sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays have an immediate tanning effect and can penetrate through glass. UVB rays have a delayed tanning effect, and can cause redness and sunburns. A sun protection factor (SPF) between 30-50 is best; anything over SPF50 doesn’t offer much additional protection. SPF30 will protect you from roughly 96% UVB rays and SPF50 offers about 98% protection. No sunscreen can guarantee 100% protection. It’s best to opt for mineral sunscreens, with active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are effective against both UVA and UVB rays, and are safer for both the environment and your children’s skin. Most commercial sunscreens that are easy to buy over the counter are non-mineral; they’ll do in a pinch but try to make your go-to a mineral variety! As a mother of two toddlers, here are some additional requirements I have for sunscreen: • Easy to apply (spray, stick, or squirt bottle) • Lightweight (too thick and it’s a nightmare to rub into excited children)
• Fast and absorbent (no white streaks please!) • Reusable or recyclable packaging over plastic single use
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN
HARMFUL TO THE EARTH
Active Ingredients like: • Oxybenzone
Aerosol cans • Affect the earth’s atmosphere • May pose an inhalation risk • Don’t provide a thick enough skin coating to protect from UV rays
Skincare ingredients like: • Retinyl palmitate • Retinol • Vitamin A
Ingredients that damage coral:
Fragrances 36
• Avobenzone • Homosalate • Octinoxate
• Octisalate • Octocrylene • Oxybenzone
