The pros and cons of different sunscreens

Learn about: The pros and cons of different sunscreens from Christopher Gavigan,...
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The pros and cons of different sunscreens

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There is a lot of misinformation around sunscreen right now. Parents think the higher number, the better; and that's truly not always the case. When you think of sunscreen, you really need to think about sunblock. You are trying to prevent the sun from damaging the skin. There are two types of sunblock; there is the chemical versions, and there is the mineral versions. The chemical versions are know to go on smoothly and absorb very quickly; but unfortunately, our largest organ is our skin, and when you are rubbing a chemical sunscreen on the skin, it is actually being absorbed into the dermal layers. Within five to ten minutes, it can be detected in the blood stream. I do not recommend those as the safest options. I recommend the mineral versions. The ones that are actually blocking the sun. Zinc oxide; you see the old surfers putting it on their nose and on their cheeks. That is really blocking the sun's rays. There is a great non-profit advocacy group called the Environmental Working Group or EEWG.org. The do a phenomenal job of rating all the sunscreens on the market place; and really judging and grading which ones are best for application, waterproofness, overall resiliency, and effectiveness, based on their health standard; which are really stringent. They really try to find the best sunscreens out there for your baby and family.

Learn about: The pros and cons of different sunscreens from Christopher Gavigan,...

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Christopher Gavigan

Co-founder, Honest.com & Author

Christopher Gavigan is a well-known environmental health leader, author, speaker, and entrepreneur who builds impactful brands through meaningful communications platforms, innovative consumer products, and social engagement strategies. Christopher recently has founded and launched The Honest Company, an exciting suite of healthy, non-toxic, beautifully designed products for babies and families, with founding partners Jessica Alba and Brian Lee. As the former CEO / Executive Director of Healthy Child Healthy World, Christopher shaped Healthy Child to be one of the most credible and trusted organizations in the environmental and children’s health field. Christopher is also the best selling author of Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home. Currently, Christopher sits on the Board of Directors of Mount Sinai Hospital’s Children Environmental Health Center and is a Chief Advisor to the Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation Institute. He is also on the Advisory Boards of SAIL Capital Partners and UCLA’s Environmental Health Sciences Department. Christopher was awarded the WebMD’s “Health Hero Award for 2010” and Elle Magazine’s “Green Award” in 2007.

Raised in New York and Connecticut, Christopher graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a double major in Environmental Science and Business, and extensive Masters Degree training in Psychology from UCLA. Christopher lives in Santa Monica with wife and actress, Jessica Capshaw, and their three children Luke, Eve and Poppy.

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