5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Sunscreen

Guest post from Tyler Porteous, Coola Suncare

No matter what your favorite sunscreen product is, there are steps you can take to get the most benefit from it and help ensure you stay safe in the sun. Here are five things to keep in mind when applying sunscreen. 1. Correct Application. You have to make sure to apply it correctly to get all the benefits. We recommend applying 1 ounce (about 2 tablespoons) of SPF15 or higher sunscreen to exposed areas before stepping out into the sun. 2. Frequency. If you're in direct sun, make sure to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours; more often if you're swimming or perspiring heavily. 3. Reflective Requirement. Also take caution around water, sand, and snow, as their reflective surfaces can make the sun's rays even more intense. 4. Lip Protection. Don't forget your lips - defend them the sun as well with a balm of at least SPF15. 5. Clothing. As an additional precaution, you can protect your skin by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and long clothing along with your sunscreen. For more, visit our natural sunscreen and repellents resources page.

Image courtesy of Coola Suncare

What Does Sunscreen SPF Really Mean?

Guest post from Tyler Porteous, Coola Suncare

What are sunscreen SPF values? SPF stands for sun protection factor. The number value of SPF classifies a sunscreen's ability to deflect UVB rays (the kind of rays that cause sunburns). A sunscreen's SPF value is measured based on the extra amount of time sunscreen-protected skin is able to withstand sun exposure before burning. For example, without sun protection, a person may burn after 10 minutes in the sun. If the same person were to apply a sunscreen with SPF 20 protection, he or she would be to stay in the sun for 20 times longer, or 200 minutes, before experiencing a burn. However, it's important to know that as you use increasing levels of SPF, the amount of UV protection you receive does not increase at the same rate: raising SPF from 20 to 45 will only provide you with 2.8% more UV protection. Be sure to do an SPF check when choosing your sunscreen, it should have a minimum of SPF 15 to provide effective protection in the sun. For more, visit our natural sunscreen and repellents resources page.

Image courtesy Coola Suncare

Sunscreen a Must for Spring Break

Heading somewhere sunny for spring break? Whether you're hitting the slopes or the surf, be sure to pack along sunscreen for the whole family. For natural sunscreen lotions without the nasty chemicals, we recommend Ecological Skincare (Body, Face & Baby), Badger Face Stick and Canadian-made Heiko Kids Sunscreen. Did you know one bad sunburn before the age of 18 doubles your chances of getting melanoma? Or that melanoma is the second most common cancer in children and teenagers? Check out the moving video for more great information on this topic. It features melanoma survivors from Canada and the US -- not actors.

Evolutionary Eco Sunscreen

If it's possible to love sunscreen, this summer we've had an affair to remember. We've been testing all natural Eco sunscreen from Ecological Skin Care through July and hand on heart, it's the best chemical-free sunscreen we've ever tried. It's not too thick, easy to spread and non-whitening. It's also very water resistant, non-greasy and doesn't clog pores. Eco sunscreen is biodegradable, hypoallergenic, free of artificial preservatives and fragrances and offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The active ingredient that makes it work is zinc oxide. Basically, Eco sunscreen ticks all the boxes - and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) agrees. It gives Eco top honours in the EWG's sunscreen reports, with the lowest possible hazard rating #1. Read more on the EWG's site. Choose from three different formulas - Baby, Body and Face, although all are safe enough to be applied to children under six months. For more details, click here.


For more green living ideas, visit our eco boutique Lavish & Lime where you'll find hundreds of everyday eco finds and unusual gift ideas that are good for you, your family and the planet too.

10 Best Ways to Beat the Summer Heat

It may be far from stifling hot here Vancouver, but as a heat wave crosses the rest of Canada and the U.S. and rising temperatures are predicted here later this month, we've come up with some ways to keep your cool. Most of these summer tips are eco-friendly, all are easy.

Post by Louise

Here are 10 of our favourite ways to beat the heat this summer.

1. Turn off your Dishwasher Early - Turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher. Open the door before it begins and let your dishes air dry. It can be just as quick and much more energy efficient.

2. Use Power Bars - Mod cons often heat up your home. Leaving the TV on can raise a room temperature by a couple of degrees. Electric appliances like TV’s and computers can emit heat even when not in use. money too! Plugged into a power bar, these devices can be switched off easily and with our Smartstrip surge protector, automatically - saving you money and keeping the temperature dow

3. Crash the Kiddie Pool - When it's hot, kiddie pools aren't just for kids. Fill a pool or tub with cold water and try to keep it in the shade. Dip your toes, legs - or more - in for an immediate cool down!

4. Eat Cool Treats - Cold and frozen foods offer immediate relief from the heat. Make your own frozen treats and you’ll not only avoid copious sugar and artificial ingredients but you’ll save money too! Invest in durable, BPA-free popsicle makers like our stackable molds from Italy. Check out this collection of close to 200 popsicle recipes to make yourself and if cocktails are your thing, try these yummy-looking mango mojito popsicles. Alternatively, munch on frozen grapes - they're a healthy, tasty, cool treat too!

5. Keep Cool Air Inside - Open windows at night and close them in the morning to keep cool air in and the hot air out. Try to keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day. If you do open one, open a second to create a cross breeze. On especially hot days, hang a wet sheet in front of an open window to cool the air down.

6. Protect your Skin - Slather on the sunscreen when you venture outside. Look for one with zinc - it’s the only sunscreen ingredient that protects from the full spectrum of UV light, ie UVA, UVB and UVC rays. Zinc is found in natural sunscreens that are also free of potentially nasty chemicals. Top natural brands include Badger Sunscreen and made in Canada, Heiko Kids Sunscreen.

7. Cover Up - Keep a hat on and you’ll help prevent over heating and sunstroke. Look for a wide brim that points downwards to keep the sun off your face and neck. Tight woven, breathable SPF tested fabric is best. Our adjustable sun hats for kids tick all the boxes - and they grow with your child so they last for years.

8. Wet a Bandana - If you're working outside, soak a bandana in cold water, wring it slightly and tie it around your head - even under your sun hat - to keep cool.

9. Stay Hydrated - Drink, drink, drink and drink some more. It's no secret that if you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, you’ll help stop the headaches, etc. that come with dehydration. Having the right water bottle helps. Does it fit in your car drink holder? Your bag? Is it too big? Too heavy? Do you want your water kept icy cold? Filtered? Glass vs. steel or BPA-free plastic? Do you like the colour? Shape? So many questions - good thing there’s loads of options like these reusable water bottles from top brands Camelbak, S'Well, Lifefactory Glass Bottles - all in Canada.

10. Reduce Blow Drying Time - Break the habit of using your blow dryer. Let your hair dry naturally or only blow dry it part way and let the rest dry naturally. Your bathroom won't heat up like an inferno, your head will stay cooler while your hair is drying and you'll also save money on electricity!

For more green living ideas, visit eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about keeping cool in the summer heat, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Decrease your dependence on a hair dryer. Either stop drying midway through your routine or let it dry completely naturally. This will prevent your bathroom from becoming too tropical, and your head cool as your hair dries.

Source: Green Living Ideas (http://s.tt/12GD

Keep the windows closed during the hottest parts of the day. When you do choose to open a window, make sure a second window is opened to allow a cross breeze.

Source: Green Living Ideas (http://s.tt/12GDo)

Keep the windows closed during the hottest parts of the day. When you do choose to open a window, make sure a second window is opened to allow a cross breeze.

Source: Green Living Ideas (http://s.tt/12GDo)

Friday Freebie: Natural Badger Sunscreen Giveaway

The warmer weather has come to Vancouver so fingers crossed, summer is finally on its way to the west coast - and those rays are feeling nice and hot.

Enter sunscreen. Up till now we've just been eager for a dose of vitamin D, now it's time to start thinking about protection. Natural sunscreen is a great option. Forget nasty chemicals, the active ingredient is zinc for broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It blocks the sun outright rather than absorbing it as some conventional chemical sunscreens do.

One of the most popular natural sunscreen brands is Badger. Made of all natural ingredients, Badger rates high on the Environmental Working Group's list of recommended safe sunscreens. It uses the mineral zinc oxide to provide broad spectrum protection and contains organic olive oil, shea butter and cocoa butter for a moisturizing effect. In addition to zinc, Badger is made up of all USDA certified organic plant oils and extracts that are biodegradable and safe for the environment - you could even eat this stuff! So naturally, it's safe for children.

WIN IT

We have a Badger SPF30 Natural Sunscreen Face Stick to give away to one lucky winner! Tell us in a comment below which sunscreen brand you used last summer and why you'd like to try Badger. You could win it! Please be sure to include your email address so we can get in touch if you win.

EXTRA ENTRY

Like us on our Lavish & Lime Facebook Page and post a comment on our wall about this giveaway.

DEADLINE

This is our Friday Freebie, but we're happy to take entries through the weekend. Deadline for entries is midnight PST Sunday, June 12th and we'll announce the randomly chosen winner on Monday, June 13th.

For more green living ideas, visit our eco boutique Lavish & Lime where you'll find hundreds of everyday eco finds and unusual gift ideas that are good for you, your family and the planet too.

Organic Sunscreen Q&A from the Lavish & Lime Facebook Forum

Ever wonder what the best sunscreen SPF is? Which is the safe sunscreen? What's the link between sunscreen and cancer? In late June we held a Healthy Summer Skincare Q&A Forum on on our Facebook page. Fans of our page asked these and other common sunscreen questions.

Their questions were answered directly by Dr. Tony Kovacs, D.O., N.D., B.Ac., executive vice president and science & technical officer of Skin Elements USA, makers of Soleo Organics natural sunscreen. There was so much good information - in easy-to-understand language - generated through this exchange, we felt it might be helpful to share it. This is essentially a transcript of the sunscreen portion of the forum.

Q. (Kristina Z.) How long does it take for sunscreen to properly absorb into the skin?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) Kristina, sunscreen should absorb into your skin within 5-10 minutes max. The chemical sunscreens take a little longer to work, they need about 20 -30 minutes to absorb and begin their action, physical sunscreens work a little faster.

Q. (Athena TDR.) What is the best SPF to give you proper protection?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) The best SPF is SPF 30+, any number above that range is misleading. SPF 30+ gives 96-98% protection from UV.

Q. (Andrea T.) I've been using one of the top SPF 30/complete spectrum mineral sunscreens (on EWG's list) on my toddler, but he is getting a bit of a tan. I think I'm applying enough based on the whitish cast the sunscreen leaves on his skin, so am not sure what I'm doing wrong. Help!
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) No sunscreen protects 100 % so no matter what you use, there will always be some UV that gets through. SPF 30+ gives 96-98% protection from UV (highest).

You are not doing anything wrong, the most important thing to do apart from applying sunscreen in the first place is to make sure you reapply frequently enough, with children, that should be every hour.

Q. (Melissa WOB.): I would also like to know if I'm applying the sunscreen (California Baby) wrong on my children..they are starting to get a tan..is there something I'm doing wrong? Also is mineral based sunscreens any better? Thanks!
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) No sunscreen blocks 100%, the most any sunscreen will do (Soleo is in this group) is 96-98%. As a result, no matter how diligently you apply, between 2-4% of UV light will still get through to your skin (or baby’s). I am not familiar with the efficacy of California Baby, but I do know they use titanium and titanium degrades rapidly in the presence of light (it is a chemical sunscreen – 70% of its action is chemical ie absorbing UV rays, and only 30% is physical ie reflecting). Companies often like to refer to Titanium as a physical block but it is not a true one, its action is predominantly chemical and offers all the associated side effects with the rest of the chemical sunscreens ie free radical production, DNA damage, oestrogen mimicking, endocrine disruption, etc. You are better off using a zinc only sunscreen (eg. Soleo) so that you don’t have to deal with the issues of using chemical sunscreens or ones that contain nano products. Make sure you reapply regularly. If your kids are out in the sun every day for extended periods of time, they will tan, even if you are using the best sunscreen out there. Nothing blocks 100% unfortunately.

Q. (Lynette K.) What's the difference between a physical sunscreen and a chemical sunscreen?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) Physical sunscreens (zinc) reflect the UV light and chemical sunscreens absorb (toxic). Physical sunscreens reflect or scatter light and of the two physical sunscreens commonly mentioned, Zinc is the only true one. Titanium only reflects 30% of UV light and absorbs the remaining 70% thereby making it more of a chemical sunscreen than a physical one. Chemical sunscreens tend to have similar side effects. They offer the same sort of issues, some more than other depending upon the chemical itself. In short they produce free radicals (very volatile ones), damage DNA, mimic oestrogen in the body and disrupt the endocrine system. Some effect the immune system and others sensitise the skin and can create reactions.

Q. (Rochelle MK.) Hi there I have heard a lot of controversy surrounding sunscreen and the chemicals in them possibly being linked to cancer. Is there any truth to this and should I be concerned about using sunscreen on my children?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) Yes yes yes. Avoid the chemicals, use zinc.

Q. (Rochelle MK.) Which chemicals are ok and which are bad?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) This is really easy. Zinc is good – the rest chemicals. Zinc is the only true physical block the rest act as chemical sunscreens whereby they absorb UV light and a s a result create a number of bad resulting compounds and free radicals. Stick with Zinc.

Q. (Marla JV.) Is it true that once you are at an SPF of 30, any higher is really not any more effective (ex: 30 vs 50 vs 70)? Thanks.
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) Yes, that is true, it's a myth and misleading advertsing. SPF numbers over 30+ do not give you any more protection, its a bit of a myth, SPF 50,60, 70, etc. Children should use the highest spf that is effective, ie 30+.

Q. (Kathy W.) I have a question relating to using sunscreen along with insect repellent. I've heard that one or the other isn't as effective if combined. Is there any truth to this? Should I be applying sunscreen first, waiting a certain amount of time then the ...insect repellent or vice versa? Thanks in advance!
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) I am not sure because it depends upon which insect repellant you use (ie ingredients) and of course which sunscreen you use. Lets assume you are using a good quality insect repellant (deet free etc) and similarly a good sunscreen (Soleo). I would suggest you apply the sunscreen first, wait 20 minutes letting the sunscreen fully absorb and then apply your insect repellant over the top. This should work without one affecting the other. Of course, I can be more accurate if I knew the ingredients in your insect repellant.

Q. (Ross R.) I too would like to know about sunscreen and is it nanoparticles that are linked to cancer?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) No it is the chemicals in the sunscreens, the nano stuff makes it worse.

Q. (Erin AH.) What about the issue of nano particles in physical sunscreens. Should we be concerned?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) The nano issue is a concerning one with little or no information available on how they really work once the get into the body. More and more information is becoming available on this matter but I feel it will be a number of years before we are more informed as to the dangers. There is a web site, www.foe.org that has really pioneered the anti nano issue and they offer a siginificant amount of information on this topic.

Q. (Vic M.) What are your thoughts on the organic sunscreen products that most eco tourism parks require you to use? Is it a tourist scam or are they good for both the human and the aquatic creatures?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) No, organic sunscreens are the preferred choice so they do not harm the environment. Biodegradable sunscreens do not affect the ecosystems like the chemical stuff does.

Q. (Lynne B.) I have a question about the benefits of sunshine's vitamin D versus the risk of skin cancer. (This isn't necessarily just about kids). I was reading some Cancer Society news last year where they were slightly changing their advice to say a little bit of sunscreen-less exposure each day (I can't remember - under 20 min...utes perhaps?) was good for the cancer-fighting, bone-building vitamins we get from the sun. Any thoughts on that?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) The important thing is not to burn, everyone needs a little sun exposure.

Q. (Penni B.) If a child does get sunburned, is there any benefit to after sun cream, or is it just that it is soothing?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) Aloe vera is your best thing and then Marine Mist (Soleo product, lol) must repair after damage and exposure to excessive dryness.

Q. (Brian W.) I find that in the early a.m. when I put sunscreen on (I work outdoors all day) , that it gets rubbed off quite rapidly on branches and my clothing. Is there enough soaked in with one coating that I shouldn't be putting on layer after layer all day? Also I empty waste receptacles in the parks I care for and I am constantly washing my hands with sanitizer. Then when I rub my arms etc. does that wash off the sunscreen to a point where I have to replace the sunscreen?
A. (Dr. Tony Kovacs) Hard one to answer because I don’t know which sunscreen you are using. If it is a chemical sunscreen then chances are that most of it is rubbing off and you have very little left on the skin to act effectively. if your hands are wet and you are rubbing your face, again, chances are that you are removing the sunscreen from your skin. If the sunscreen is not water resistant, then the likelihood of this happening is much greater.
Using a chemical sunscreen, the performance and protection is compromised, add to that the rubbing off and the exposure to water, you would have a reduced action available to you.

Our thanks to Dr. Kovacs for participating in this forum. Soleo Organics sunscreen - in three sizes - plus a selection of other top rated natural sunscreen brands are available at online eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas - even questions - regarding the Q&A above, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Healthy Summer Skincare Q&A on Facebook

Wondering what you should look for in a safe sunscreen? Why you should avoid DEET? And Triclosan - the potentially harmful chemical in everything from hand soap to toothpaste? What about the best way to treat sunburn? Find out the answers to all these questions and more at the Lavish & Lime Live Facebook Forum on Wednesday, June 23 from 7pm to 8:30pm.

Vancouver-based eco boutique Lavish & Lime is hosting a virtual Q&A with industry experts on sunscreen, insect repellent, fighting germs and first aid. Get answers to any and all questions about healthy summer skincare . Plus there will be lots of prize giveaways and special offers for attendees.

Join Lavish & Lime on Facebook now for reminders about the event which will take place on their Facebook page. You can RSVP directly to the event here - and also watch a great video from one of the guest speakers on Killing those Summer Germs...

Speak Up + Win Soleo Organics Sunscreen

We think everyone likes a conversation. Prove us right or wrong by joining ours (or not) here at The Lime Post.

We try to keep you up to date on our latest products and news and like to throw an interview or greener living tip into the mix every so often.

We hope you find our blog posts helpful. Or maybe not. Either way, we'd love to hear from you with comments, ideas, suggestions, anything that comes to mind, really.

Speak up and you could win a sport size bottle of Soleo Organics natural sunscreen - rated the #1 sunscreen by the Environmental Working Group out of almost 600 products on the market. Simply leave a comment on any of our July posts and you'll automatically be entered to win. The draw will take place August 1st so be sure to post your comment by midnight PST July 31st.

Weigh in with your thoughts on natural vs. traditional chemical sunscreen, recycling household water and getting kids outside, plus there's more topics on their way in the coming weeks.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Learn more about Soleo sunscreen and other eco-friendly products for greener living and giving at Vancouver-based online boutique Lavish & Lime.

Leading Naturopath Dishes the Dirt on Sunscreen

We wanted the lowdown on natural sunscreen so we went to the certified Naturopath who first introduced high SPF chemical-free sunscreen to the US back in 2004 - Dr. Tony Kovacs. Originally from Australia, Kovacs is now involved with research & development at Soleo Organics in San Clemente, California.

1. How do natural and conventional sunscreens differ?

Natural (there is only one, ie. zinc) and conventional (chemical) differ in that zinc is a “physical” sunscreen as it reflects and/or scatters UV light, whereas the conventional chemical sunscreens, ie. containing titanium, oxybenzone, methoxycinnamate, homosalate, etc. absorb UV light. It is via this absorbing action that toxic and dangerous new compounds are formed.

So, they primarily differ in the manner they deal with the UV light and the resultant byproducts, if any that occur as a result of this action. Zinc is stable, non absorbing and safe. Chemical sunscreens are linked with DNA damage, oestrogen mimicking, endocrine disruption, free radical production, damage to the coral reefs and ecosystem disruption.

2. We hear that higher SPF's are good for some skin conditions but we also hear that anything over SPF 30 is simply about marketing. What's this all about?

It is a marketing hype of sorts. When SPF levels are portrayed on a graph, the graph tends to plateau around SPF 32-35. Any number above that is negligible with regard to protection. Ie an SPF 100 may give an extra 1% protection (at most) but the reality of being able to stay out in the sun longer is a complete hoax. For example, if an SPF 30+ will offer protection of up to 4 hours, then it stands to reason that an SPF 60 would offer 8 hours and therefore and SPF 100 would be 10 hours. This is definitely not the case as no sunscreen can offer protection for that period of time. You are fundamentally paying more money, for a greater concentration of toxic chemicals and receiving very little, if any extra benefit.

3. What is the benefit of biodegradable sunscreen and why should we consider trying it out?

Biodegradability touches on a number of issues. Awareness for the consumer to consider products that breakdown safely in the environment and hence do not interfere with the natural balance within the ecosystem. The use of ingredients that are largely non toxic in their main usage form as well as their breakdown form. Biodegradable sunscreen addresses the issue of harm to the environment primarily. If the sunscreen is not biodegradable then the toxic compounds (formed prior to and after photactivation) will have a direct effect on the environments they are introduced to. They will create issues either by interfering with the reproductive cycles of the flora and fauna (nearly all of them), affecting the nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soils (titanium dioxide) or at worst causing DNA damage and possible mutations within the animals they influence. Bleaching of the coral reefs is just one example.

Learn more about natural, biodegradable sunscreen at Lavish & Lime. Visit the Natural Skincare category at Lavish & Lime for a range of natural and non-toxic sunscreen, insect repellent, hand sanitizer and more.

8 Tips for Choosing the Best Sunscreen

Choosing sunscreen isn't easy. The number of brands – old and new - packing the shelves seems endless and researchers are constantly churning out new findings on what ingredients are deemed 'good' and 'bad' for our health.

Here are 8 tips to keep in mind for choosing a safe, effective sunscreen this summer.

1. To get the most from your sunscreen, look for 'broad spectrum protection' meaning it protects against both UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, the leading cause of premature aging of the skin. All sunscreens protect against UVB rays, but only some protect against UVA.

2. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are minerals and sunscreens containing minerals are best, according to the National Geographic Green Guide. These two minerals reflect ultraviolet (UV) rays before they reach your skin, while other sunscreens use chemicals that absorb UV rays. Minerals also block both UVB and UVA rays. However, it's worth noting that recent medical research has identified some concern around titanium dioxide.

3. You really want a sunscreen as chemical-free as possible. Avoid brands containing parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl- and benzyl-) as they can interfere with your hormonal systems and more. Other chemical ingredients to avoid include: benzophenone, oxybenzone and octinoxate. Chemical sunscreens don't always protect against UVA rays. In fact, evidence shows that some - including those containing the chemical Avobenzone, or Parsol 1789 - can break down in sunlight in as little as half an hour. See the Green Guide for more ingredients to avoid.

4. Choose a sunscreen that is water resistant because let's face it, even if you're not near water, you're more than likely going to sweat at least a little with the heat or while working out. Keep in mind that water resistant and waterproof are not the same. Waterproof is actually considered an incorrect term when applied to sunscreen products, says the Environmental Working Group, as no sunscreen product is completely waterproof.

5. If you're swimming in the ocean, choose a biodegradable sunscreen with plant-based ingredients to avoid damaging coral and other marine life. Any doubts, check out this great article from National Geographic that explains why.

6. Doctors recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of a minimum 15. Higher SPFs will give you more protection, but once you reach SPF 30, there isn't a huge difference between products with higher SPF values. An SPF 50 product, for example, only blocks about 1.3% more UVB radiation than a SPF 30 product. When you start seeing 50, 70, 100 it seems the numbers are more about marketing than effectiveness. Keep in mind SPF is a measurement of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays. It does not cover UVA rays.

7. Steer clear of products that combine bug spray and sunscreen. Bugs may not be a problem during the hours that UV exposure peaks plus sunscreen may need to be reapplied more frequently than bug spray, or vice versa. An even bigger concern is that sunscreens often contain penetration enhancers. According to the EWG, studies indicate that concurrent use of sunscreens and pesticides leads to increased skin adsorption of the pesticide.

8. Look for a sunscreen that is safe for adults, children, babies – the whole family. This saves you buying more than one bottle, which is in many cases non-recyclable.

Be sure to check out your current brand or any you're considering on the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. It offers some good information and rates 400+ sunscreen products. The #1 brand is Soleo and it's available online here. Interestingly, the traditional brands we all used growing up like Coppertone and Hawaiian Tropic rate low on the database because of their ingredients.

Browse the complete range of Soleo sunscreen products from Australia plus other great items for safe summer sun protection at Vancouver-based eco boutique Lavish & Lime.

3 Reasons Every Kid Should Keep a Hat On

Finally, summer feels like it's on its way - and they say it's going to be a hot one. Time to start gearing up for some serious sun protection.

Everyone should keep their heads covered, but with kids it's critical:

1. Up to 80% of sun damage is received by 18 years of age;
2. Teaching them to wear a hat at a young age will help kids develop good sun safety practices and avoid the risks of melanoma later;
3. A hat helps protect their eyes from glare, especially if kids don't always wear sunglasses.

Choosing the right hat is key. The best hats for sun protection have at least a 3-inch brim (8 cm) all the way around. Baseball hats do not protect the ears or back of neck.

For kids, a hat with a chin strap works best - not only so it doesn't go flying off on the boat, but for the little ones who are anti-hat you can simply put it on (despite the protests!) and soon they'll forget about it and move on. Hopefully.

Fun and funky patterns will also work towards encouraging kids to wear a hat. For boys, try a safari animal or classic fire truck print. For girls go for a groovy flower hat complete with a big gerber daisy on the front or an ultra stylish 'ma cherie' fifi the poodle hat in yellow and minty green.

Alternatively, try the revolutionary adjustable hat. With an elastic around the hat's circumference and a toggle at the back, this hat can be constantly adjusted for a custom fit and years of wear. It only comes in two sizes: 0-2 years and 2-8 years, so if you have any doubt about sizing, this is definitely the hat for you.

So get out and enjoy the summer sun - just be sure to grab a hat for the wee one first.

Visit Lavish & Lime for a great selection of kids sun hats in prints and solids from size 0 and up.