Love Your Skin And Your Baby’S

“Some people are so much sunshine to the square inch,” says Walt Whitman, and, as mamas, we wholeheartedly agree. Summer is when we can relax and spend time just soaking up the company of our favorite little ones, with not much more to worry about than hourly sunscreen reapplications, and if maybe ice cream could be considered its own food group. We’ll get back to you about the ice cream, but sunscreen options – especially for during pregnancy and for little ones — are something we can help with. Pregnancy hormones cause all sorts of surprising physical changes, not the least of which is your skin’s increased sensitivity to the sun. Chloasma, the skin color changes caused by said hormones, can be one issue, as can an increased risk of skin damage caused by sun exposure.

Pregnancy and time spent around little ones are especially good reasons to try natural suncreens, which are made of physical sun protectors like zinc oxide, and are generally less irritating to your skin and less scary health-wise. Other people (i.e. scientists) are better than us at explaining the benefits of ditching your chemical sunblock for healthier physical options, but we can suggest a few of our favorite natural options for both mama and baby. From a multi-tasking serum for you, to a kids sunscreen so nice we kind of want to borrow it for ourselves, these healthy alternatives will help keep you and your little one’s sensitive skin safe this summer.

Supergoop! Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30, $42 — Supergoop!’s Sunscreen Serum is a great lightweight option for everyday sun protection. It’s fragrance free, doesn’t slide around under makeup, and is full of vitamins and antioxidants that help repair previous sun damage.

Coola Classic Face SPF 30 Unscented Moisturizer, $32 – Coola’s no-nonsense sunscreen is ideal for days spent outside, whether you’re at the beach or running around in the park. It’s sheer, sweat-proof, moisturizing, and full of organic ingredients like Evening Primrose Oil and Plankton Extract to protect your skin from irritation.

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Sunscreen Stick SPF 30, $10 – Safe for both mama’s and baby’s delicate skin, this handy Burt’s Bees Sunscreen Stick is perfect for on-the-go touchups.

Marie Veronique Organics Pacific Everyday Sheer Coverage SPF 20, $50– We love the idea of a natural, tinted moisturizer with broad-spectrum protection, light reflectors, and a short ingredient list, to boot! Marie Veronique’s moisturizer is good for sensitive skin, free of harmful chemicals, and offers a sheer matte coverage that’s ideal for camouflaging stretch marks or patchy skin.

Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick SPF 15, $13.62 – It’s tough finding a natural lip balm with sun protection, but this Korres Lip Butter Stick is one of the best we’ve come across. Shea butter and Mandarin oil moisturize and protect, and the tinted options provide a sheer pop of color– perfect for mirror-free application. Throw in a few heavier duty color free options, and your lips are well on their way to staying pretty this summer.

Aubrey Organics Natural Sun SPF 45 for Kids, $15.95– This water resistant (for 40 minutes) SPF 45 lotion is specially formulated for sensitive skin, making it our sunscreen of choice for kids. Unscented and full of soothing Aloe and moisturizing Baobab and Moringa oils, we might know some pregnant mamas who wouldn’t mind borrowing it!

 Written by Sara Dimmitt