Sunscreen is always a must for any parent wanting to protect their family from the harmful effects of too much sun exposure. A few weeks ago, the Washington Post came out with an article regarding a lab that discovered a highly toxic carcinogen in over 78 sunscreens and after sun products. The harmful chemical is known as Carcinogen Benzene.

According to the American Cancer Society, “Benzene is known to cause cancer, based on evidence from studies in both people and lab animals. The link between benzene and cancer has largely focused on leukemia and other cancers of blood cells.”

The independent laboratory, Valisure, tested over 294 sunscreens from 69 different companies. You can find their result HERE (starting on page #12). Before you start throwing out your sunscreen, it should be clarified this is due to a contaminant during production, not related to the sunscreen ingredients themselves.

“What consumers need to understand, the Cambridge, Mass.-based Hirsch said, is that this isn’t a sunscreen problem, it’s a contamination problem. “Contaminations happen and mechanisms exist for this very thing. An individual make and car can have a part recalled, but you aren’t likely to stop driving it.” – Washington Post

To keep it simple, we’ve created a small shopping guide of our favorite sunscreens. They are deemed safe and should be used to protect your family from the risks of sun burns and skin cancer.

Sun Screen Credit: Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Stick, $9.99 at Sunbum.com; Counter Sun Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 30, $21.00 at Beautycounter.com; Sun Drops SPF 50, $145.00 at Drstrum.com; California Baby Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, $23.99 at Californiababy.com; Coola Organic Classic Body Sunscreen SPF 30, $25.00 at Coola.com; Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50, $58.00 at Supergoop.com; Unseen Sunscreen, $34.00 at Supergoop.com; Star and Crown Print Bath Gift Set in Blue, $85.00 at Mariechantal.com