At a glance
Sun protection is on most people’s minds these days. Sunscreens fall into two categories—physical sunscreens, which form an opaque film on the skin preventing UV rays from penetrating the surface, and chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays. Physical sunscreens often employ zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as active ingredients, while chemical sunscreens often utilize avobenzone or oxybenzone.

Ingredients to look for
Antioxidants
Zinc oxide
Titanium dioxide

COMING SOON-Spotlight on: Gateway Nutrition Products

Did you know that 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen washes off of swimmers into the ocean each year? Kevin Cobb, vice president of Lynden, Wash.-based Gateway Nutrition Products, talks about how the company’s Caribbean Solutions sunscreen helps save coral reefs.

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Editors’ picks

Sanitas Skincare Solar Block: This light sunscreen goes on smooth without the greasy afterglow. It absorbs quickly, utilizing zinc oxide and vitamin C to block UV rays and heal sun-exposed skin.

Gateway Nutrition Caribbean Solutions SolGuard SPF 25: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide come together to absorb and reflect UVA and UVB rays in this tropical vacation in a bottle complemented by extracts of wild pansy, green coffee bean, hibiscus, cucumber and melon.

Earth Science SPF 15+ Daily Sun Defense Lotion: An everyday sunscreen for all skin types, this silky formula moisturizes with vitamin oils and plant-extracted emollients. Extracts of panax ginseng root, green tea and licorice root spice things up.

Nature’s Gate Be Solective Sunscreen for Face, SPF 30: Aloe vera, cucumber and olive leaf extract team up with walnut seed extract in this lightweight sunscreen made specifically for the face. Be Solective also contains avobenzone, also known as Parsol 1789, which is used to block UVA rays.

Goddess Garden Kids’ Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30: This kid-friendly sunscreen employs zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients along with soothing aloe, moisturizing oils of apricot kernel, palm kernel and coconut. Organic lavender essential oil adds a finishing touch.