UVA & UVB Broad-Spectrum
Consumers have been led to believe that ultra-high SPF numbers like 70 and 100 provide much more protection than SPF 30. This is False. SPF 30 provides 97% protection from UVB and SPF 100 provides 99% coverage for UVB. We tell folks if you look at the back of the tube and you see a bunch of words you don’t recognize, you probably don’t want to put that on your skin. It is important that you’re using a truly Broad-spectrum formula that covers UVA and UVB.
Mineral Based Formula
Chemical sunscreens make up the majority of the market unfortunately. They are both cheap and apply clear. Mineral based solutions can cause some amount of whitening during use and are also more expensive. But at what cost is it cheaper. Some mineral base formulations have also taken to using clear zinc or nano particle sized zinc or titanium. We recommend sourcing a non-nano zinc oxide solution. There is just not enough data on the ability for nano particles getting into the blood stream. As such, it is better to embrace the Precautionary principle.
Water Resistant
There are now three levels of water resistance. Not water resistant, water resistant (40 minutes) and water resistant (80 minutes). We have all become used to seeing words like sweatproof or waterproof. There are now very specific tests. Keep in mind, that if you’re at the beach or pool that you’ll need to reapply after being in the water. And to achieve the SPF factor of your sunscreen you have to reapply every two hours. One application does not keep you at SPF 50 or whatever is on the sunscreen label. And you should be using about 1oz to cover an adult body.
Tips for Application
- Be sure to apply all areas that will be exposed to sunlight, including behind the ears, neck, hands, feet, and scalp 15 minutes before sun exposure.
- Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying, at least every 2 hours.
- While the sunscreen applies very easily, we recommend not spreading it too thin. Otherwise you will decrease the effectiveness of the sunscreen.
Why Sunscreen?
The majority of sunscreens currently on the market are full of questionable ingredients and known carcinogens. Simply looking at the ingredients you’ll quickly realize you don’t recognize any of them. Many existing sunscreens have been brought to market with little concern for their safety. Not only do ingredients in sunscreen interact with skin, but data shows after application of lotions, some of the same chemicals can be detected in the bloodstream. Most people wear sunscreen to reduce the chance of developing cancer, so why apply something that could potentially increase this risk? This question has unfortunately left many people moving away from using sunscreen at all.
Chemical Policy
Thinkbaby & Thinksport employ the precautionary principle when choosing the materials to work with.
Tips for Application
Why Sunscreen?
Our Chemical Policy
bevz –
I was the ONLY person in a family of 15 (reunion) who did not get sunburned in Mexico!!! There are sometimes when rubbing it in is a pain, and I just went with being white, but thats totally worth not getting skin cancer or being sunburned on vacation. This type of sunscreen is a “blocker” which is not only good for the REEF! and our ocean friends, but also you! TAKE CARE OF THE WORLD with this sunscreen.
C. Peterson –
Here’s the deal. sunscreen, in general, is sort of a necessary evil. Add the idea of applying to a squirming toddler and you are in for a real workout. I think we would all love to be able to go out in the sun without a care in the world. But, we all know that is not safe, and just not a reality.ThinkBaby is the real deal. You are never going to find a good sunscreen that doesn’t stay “white” on skin, or not feel greasy. Those just simply don’t work as well. You want the high spf, you want the zinc oxide. ThinkBaby smells amazing, it spreads evenly and offers awesome protection. My daughter had swimming lessons every single day through daycare this summer (12 weeks). She wore Think Baby every single day. She had zero, I repeat, zero, sunburns. Add to this that ThinkBaby is approved by stringent Whole Foods and was recommended by Lucie’s List and I am sold.Would recommend, and recommend using it as they recommend for all sunscreens- apply liberally, reapply after swimming etc. We all know the deal.
Dontcarewhatname –
I’m medically so sun sensitive (and sensitive to UV light from fluorescent and halogen bulbs) that I can tell you this gives the BEST PROTECTION ACROSS the UV SPECTRUM. [To give you perspective on how much credibility to give to my positive evaluation of this product’s effectiveness: Even with shades down and curtains & draperies drawn, I burn and blister on my face from the indirect sunlight that still comes in, if I don’t have sunscreen on my face, neck & hands while indoors. As for my body, I will also burn if I don’t have on sunscreen or sun protective clothing.] Not everyone will need such complete protection as I do, but even using a modest approach to sun protection, you can rest assured that this is an EXCELLENT PRODUCT. I use it on my face and set it with loose face powder, makeup for ever. This also adds skin color (! LOL) as it does look completely white. MOST PEOPLE will simply want to use this for their arms and legs; if it works so thoroughly to block sunlight when extreme UV light blocking is needed, then it’s CASUAL USE has got to be exactly what you want. 👍 Applies quickly with excellent “SPREAD.” Great for SENSITIVE SKIN!
Naomi LeRoi –
Sunbum lead to breakouts on my back and arms. This stuff was great, even on my face! I have a lot of acne problems so that’s really saying something. Sun protection worked well for me, I wonder if some people got knockoffs. Spreading it is really bad, just super thick so it takes a long time. Otherwise works well
a nonny mouse –
I found this on Environmental Working Group’s list but was skeptical that it would work as an adult facial sunscreen. After a month of use I’ve had no break outs. This is easily the best sunscreen I’ve ever used. I like that it’s scent-free and color-free, yet doesn’t leave a white film. As with all zinc-based sunscreens I’ve used, I add a few drops of sweet almond oil in my palm and mix them together. That makes it even easier to spread and adds some moisture to my face (I’m a guy with fair skin that’s on the drier side). Being SPF 50 you’d think it’s as thick as peanut butter but it’s not at all. The more expensive brands come in such tiny tubes, but this is a generous sizes that I can feel good about using on the rest of my body without breaking the bank. This is easily just as good (in my opinion, better) as the expensive department store cosmetics. And definitely not just for babies!P.S. I’m an actual customer who just happened to try this brand, I didn’t receive a promotional sample to write this review.
Nathaniel and AlenaNathaniel and Alena –
I can’t speak for intense sun protection because I’m just using it while out for normal walks, but to address one of the concerns I was seeing, it doesn’t take too much to rub it in and it only shows if you absolutely know it’s there. Left hand has it in this pic – you can see it’s the slightest bit lighter but you’d never pick it up without looking closely. When I put it on my face, I felt a little lighter, but my husband couldn’t tell the difference at all. And I don’t use makeup.Love the smell. It’s very, very light, just a hint. I’m pretty smell sensitive and get headaches from chemical or strong smells and this was fine, but mileage may vary since smell sensitivities are so random between different people.
chinina –
Do the research! Many big name suncreens on the market are toxic for you! I used the Thinkbaby sunscreen on myself when I was pregnant when we went to Playa del Carmen for our babymoon. We went to this natural water park called Xcaret that has these underground rivers and they were very strict about which sunscreens you brought in b/c they wanted to protect the natural wildlife and habitats in the water. They have security at the entrance checking your bags for these chemical sunscreens and force you to throw them away and provide you with mineral sunscreen. I showed them my Thinkbaby and it was on the approved list. :)Think about it, if the sunscreen isn’t safe enough for fish, you probably shouldn’t be rubbing it into you or your baby’s skin.For more information about toxicity and absorption of chemicals like oxybenzone: http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
WC –
Love this product!! My children use it daily, and not allergic to this at all this whole summer. Protects skin very well. I am in my mid 30’s and I use this too for jogging and hiking in full sun. Easy on and easy to wash off skin with ample soap and gentle cloth. This sunscreen is nice for your car too. We constantly put on sunscreen for outings, so there are lots of sunscreen that gets rubbed off from out arms and legs onto car seats and doors. This sunscreen comes right off car seats and doors by gently wiping off with mild soap and water with a lint free cloth. Highly recommend for babies and adults!!
JessicaLu –
We. love. this. stuff. My 3.5 yr old was refusing to put sunscreen on until I got him this stuff. It really does rub in so well and has a nice smell. And does it work? You bet! After being in the son a lot my redheaded very pale kiddos (2 of them!) barely have even a tan line. Its remarkable and honestly — we are not super good re-appliers so they get a coat, maybe a 2nd one late in the day and that’s it. Really impressed and love that it gets such great marks on EWG’s list.
Trisha L. –
This is very nice baby sunscreen that I use on my own senior face and arms when walking in the sun. This is the same basic zinc oxide used in most baby sunscreens, with inactive ingredients that are gentle and that help this sunscreen sink in quite quickly, so no white film lingers. Before applying this baby sunscreen, I first apply my Trader Joe’s nourish antioxidant facial moisturizer to my face and Trader Joe’s Hand & Body cream to my arms. The expiration date goes out to 2024, and this is May of 2021, so that is a good long time to last. This is a larger 6 oz container, and for my limited use it will easily last a few years. The smaller tube of another baby brand lasted me a year and a half.