Organic Summer Skincare for Outdoor Play
With summer here, nothing says sensory play more than the great outdoors. Whether it’s a playground, pool, beach or hike, this is our time to soak it all in. But how do we soak in the good and leave out the bad: the sun’s rays, chemical-based sprays and urban pollutants? Enter our top picks for mineral sunscreens + plant-based bug repellents selected by skincare expert, Naomi Whitted! Read our Q+A with her below.
Jump to: Sunscreens | Bug Repellents
Meet Naomi Whitted, a fabulous Esthetician, Essential Oil Lover + Mommy. I asked her to recommend sunscreens and repellents that are organically-based and moderately-priced. BAM! She delivered an array of products (and tips)—many with a top rating from EWG. I only wish you could meet her to understand her passion for healthy skin. It’s contagious. If you are in the DC area, schedule a treatment with her today.
First up, Naomi’s top picks for mineral sunscreens!
Mineral Sunscreens
“Sunscreen should be just one tool in your arsenal.” — EWG
Naomi is a poster-mom for healthy skin. You will find her strolling around DC with her 3YO, carrying umbrellas in the everyday sun. You’ll also find her educating her clients that skincare goes way beyond sunscreen. Covering up is a must, to protect your family from the sun’s UVA/UVB rays. And in case you are wondering, her skin is gorgeous, hydrated and flawless.
Q: When did sun care become a priority for you and your family?
A: I’m an Esthetician and Mom. I touch and see so many different skin types. The majority of people have problems with hypopigmentation, which is due to sun exposure over time. Many people that contract skin cancer wish they did more to protect themselves from the sun. Having knowledge of the sun’s UVA/UVB rays, it’s important for me to protect my child the best way I can.
Q: What suncare do you practice at home?
A: When outdoors for long periods of time, we walk around with umbrellas. Our swimsuits have ultraviolet protection, as well as our athletic, outdoor clothing.
Q: What mineral sunscreens do you recommend?
A: I choose Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen SPF30, The Honest Company SPF30 and Bare Republic Baby SPF50. These sunscreens are at a great price point from $11-15. They are available in easy-to-use squeeze bottles or sticks. For rush days or extended outdoor play, The Honest Company and Bare Republic have it in a mineral spray.
What is the difference between mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens?
Mineral-based sunscreens contain active ingredients: Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. (Bare Republic only contains Zinc Oxide.) These two ingredients create a block between the sun and the skin, reflecting the sun UVA/UVB rays. These sunscreens will come out with a white cast on the skin, but will blend in after a few minutes.
Classic, chemically-based sunscreens absorb the sun’s rays, changing it into heat releasing it into the air. This means a chemical reaction of UVA/UVB rays is happening on the surface of the skin, (instead of rays bouncing off, as a mineral-based sunscreen would do). Chemical sunscreens contain Avobenzone, Homosalode and Octocrylen. These are the sunscreens that come out with no white cast on the skin.
graphic by COOLA, maker of Bare Republic
Q: Are these sunscreens safe for babies? Will these protect adults?
A: Yes. Consult a doctor for infants under 6 mos.
Q: How do you apply sunscreen, and how often?
A: Re-apply every 80 minutes after swimming or sweating. Also, re-apply after towel-drying. Be sure to cover your back and feet, as these are areas most people forget. If you are layering sunscreen with a DEET-based bug repellent, re-apply sunscreen more frequently as DEET reduces its effectiveness by almost 40%.
Next up, our favorite bug repellents!
Plant-Based Bug Repellents
For this article, we focused on plant-based repellents which are DEET-free and meant for low-risk areas. This is a great option for families wanting to limit their daily use of DEET for little ones. It’s important to clarify, we don’t believe DEET to be the enemy, bug-borne diseases are the enemy. If you plan to travel this summer, or live in a high-risk area, DEET could very well provide the best protection, combined with hats, protective clothing and netting. Educate and protect your family accordingly. Check out this excellent article by EWG, explaining the spectrum of repellants on the shelf today.
Okay! Back to our Q+A with Naomi.
Q: What is DEET?
A: DEET is the short name for NN-diethyl-meta-tolamide. DEET covers up our natural odor that attracts pests such as mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers. However, DEET can potentially harm to our nervous system after long-term exposure. This product is also hard to dissolve with water alone, so be sure to wash skin thoroughly using soap and water. Another important fact for families to know: the FDA has not proven DEET to be completely unsafe. It is still in many “DEET-Free” name-brand repellents.
Q: What plant-based repellants to you recommend?
A: I recommend these products: Babyganics Natural Insect Repellent (spray + wipes), All Terrain Kids DEET-Free Herbal Armor Insect Repellent and Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent. They are priced $6-10.
All plant-based repellents should be tested on a small swatch of skin for first-timers.
Q: What essential oils are known to keep pests away?
A: A few of the most popular oils are Geranium, Citronella, Lemon, Peppermint, Lavender, Lemongrass, Catnip and Eucalyptus (not to be confused with Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus).
Want to make your own naturally-repellent lotion? Add 6-12 drops off your essential-oil blend into a sandwich bag (or travel pump bottle). Fill bag with your everyday lotion halfway. Shake bag to mix essential oils and lotions together. Rub into skin.
Q: How do you layer sunscreen with bug repellent?
A: Sunscreen should be applied first, allowed to dry, then bug repellent applied second.*
Plant-based repellents should be applied directly to the skin—avoiding face and hands of toddlers. DEET repellents can be applied directly to clothing, with careful application to the skin. Do not spray directly on a child’s skin, or use on children under 2. When spraying, turn your face away, and never spray in an enclosed place. Always wash hands with soap and water.
* DEET can reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen by up to 40%, requiring more frequent application of sunscreen.
Q: What plants can grow in our yard to naturally repel bugs?
A: Geraniums, Lavender, Peppermint and Marigolds.
Thank you!
Many thanks to Naomi and her adorable daughter, for jumping into this collaboration! I’ve learned so much from you about protecting my family’s skin, and feel better-prepared for the summers ahead. I only wish we had started this project sooner.
Also, many thanks to my mom, who dutifully chased me as a kid, along the beach to apply SPF to her fair-skinned daughter. May the chase of my own boys begin. Now let’s get outside and play!
