In the Sun

Up here in northern Minnesota it doesn't feel anywhere near the kind of weather you feel the need to apply a good helping of sunscreen. Fortunately, I was able to get away to a part of this country where a cloudy day is rare: northern Arizona and southern Utah. Sunscreen was important even riding in the car, that sun is powerful over there in the desert!

I brought along several varieties to test as I knew I would be applying it to myself and my family several times a day. DISCLAIMER: I only use natural, chemical-free sunscreens. This means the primary active ingredient is zinc oxide and they usually apply white. I have reached an age where I care more for the health of my skin than looking like a geisha. Here are my favorites:

 #1 Purple Prairie Botanicals Sunstuff SPF30:
I would say that this was everyone's favorite. It had a light consistency and was slightly less white than the others. Made in Minnesota!

 #2 Elemental Herbs Coconut Sunstick SPF30:
This is the perfect sunscreen if you are an avid hiker.
We did a lot of hiking on our vacation and this was very
portable. It fit easily in a back pocket for easy reapplication throughout the day.








#3 Badger Unscented Sunscreen Cream SPF30:
By far the whitest of the three, I like to call it my geisha makeup. This is the one we used most to cover arms and legs. We managed to make it through without any serious burns thanks to this sunscreen. Of the three, this sunscreen is the only that follows FDA standards for UVA and UVB protection (Broad Spectrum) or water resistance. Badger is one of those awesome companies voted "Best for the World 2014" by the B Corporation organization which rates businesses based on their environmental, worker and community impact.

Honorable Mention: Elemental Herbs Lip Balm SPF12
The three sunscreens mentioned above are all great but not
what you would apply to your lips for protection, and those
lips need protecting! This lip balm is my favorite, so great
that I would use it as my everyday lip moisturizer.