Skin Cancer Awareness Month! + thinksport LIVESTRONG Sunscreen ~Review~

This is why you want to keep your kids covered when possible and use UVA/UVB sunscreen.

This picture explains all to well why I’ve recently become a sunscreen junkie with myself and my kids.  

Here are a few important Q&A’s from an article published last year USA Today and recently used on The Skin Cancer foundation’s website:

Q:  What does the SPF number on sunscreens mean?



A: The sunburn protection factor, or SPF, measures protection against only ultraviolet radiation B, UVB, which causes burning, says Henry Lim, chairman of dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
The SPF level doesn’t measure protection against ultraviolet radiation A, UVA, which causes aging of the skin, says Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. Both types of UV rays cause cancer, he says. Experts say consumers should look for sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.




Q:  How protective are sunscreens?

A: Sunscreens can give people a false sense of security, Brawley says. He says people shouldn’t use sunscreen to stay in the sun extra long. While sunscreen is important, covering up with a hat and long sleeves offers more protection, he says.

”You can actually use sunscreen to avoid sunburn, so you can get more UV radiation and increase your risk of melanoma,” Brawley says.




Q:  Do sunscreens offer everyone the same protection?



A: No. Brawley notes that SPF ratings are averages. For someone who’s prone to burning, a sunscreen that’s labeled SPF 30 may act more like an SPF 10. For another person, the same product may act like an SPF 60, he says.

The article also points out that the most effective way to protect yourself from harmful exposure is to wear clothing and hats that will cover your skin.

There is a great website that grades sunscreens on the market for their safety and effectiveness.  Sunscreens are graded on a scale of 0-10 with a grade of 0-2 being low hazard, 3-6 moderate hazard, and 7-10 high hazard. Each sunscreen is graded on UVA protection, UVB Protection, UVA/UVB balance, Sunscreen Stability, and Health Concerns.

ThinkSport LIVESTRONG and ThinkBaby sunscreens are among those at the top of the list for safety and effectiveness.  LiveStrong is ranked with a 2 and ThinkBaby is ranked with a 1–both Low Hazard rankings.

• Mineral based sunscreen with 20% zinc oxide.
• Provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection
• Very Water Resistant – Highest rated level of water resistance.
• No chemical UV absorbers, No PABA. No Parabens. NO BPA.
• Does not contain biologically harmful chemicals
• Top Ranked sunscreen on Environmental Working Group’s database Skin Deep.
• A member of the Safe Cosmetics Campaign Compact
• New formulation for 2011 absorbs virtually clear and non-oily


It is very important to me to have a sunscreen with a balanced UVA/UVB protection.  It is also important that, the sunscreens I use on myself, The Husband, and the kids is free of potentially cancer causing elements.  thinksport scores high on both of these.

The SPF is lower than I usually use, but that will just help me learn good sunscreen application habits.  The sunscreen really does rub in virtually clear and is very non-oily.  thinksport LIVESTRONG and thinkbaby sunscreens are safe for the whole family.  

You can purchase thinksport LIVESTRONG and thinkbaby sunscreens at www.thinkbabybottles.com for $15.99.  At first I thought this was a bit steep to pay for a 4 oz tube, but as a took a look at all the top rated, safe, sunscreens I discovered that this is on the lower end cost-wise.

Check out the thinkbaby thinksport facebook page for info and discounts.

What do you plan to do this year to keep your family safe in the sun?

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product, at no cost to myself, in order to facilitate a review.  All opinions expressed are honest and are entirely my own.