Let me break down a little further how I formulated this guide and give you a little further insight my approach.

I used the EWG’s cosmetic database as my starting point for putting this list together – sifting through the over 900 sunscreen’s they have rated. The sunscreens also had to score in in the 0-3 hazard on the cosmetic database list from EWG. Scoring this low unfortunately doesn’t mean that all potentially harmful chemicals aren’t present. Sadly a product with a score of 1 can have 4 or 5 marks of concern in their bio. For me, it’s about choosing the lessor evil.

EWG looks at whether the sunscreen protects against UVA, were safe and effective, whether the ingredients would break down with sun exposure (46% of products on the market contain ingredients that do), whether they contain nano particles, whether the product makes questionable claims – a common misleading claim they’ve identified is labeling a product chemical free.

Once I had a short list I did some further research. I use quite a few of the burt’s bees products, it’s chemical free sunscreen didn’t make the guide because of a review that I encountered. The reviewer had used the burt’s bees sunscreen on one side and another brand on the other side of her stomach and was quite badly burned on the burt’s bees side. I’m glad that you have had success with it, but that made me too nervous to include it on the list. The Earth’s Best brand – if I recall correctly had numerous complaints about it’s ease of application. It’s score is 1, which is fantastic. It simply didn’t make the list for that reason, but another Jason’s mineral product did (I believe – they are owned by the same company)

I tried to pull brands in a variety of price points – sunscreen can be very expensive and I wanted someone with a restricted budget to be able to find a better choice and not have to spend $20 for 4 oz.

The sunscreens had to score in in the 0-3 hazard on the cosmetic database list. I recognize that some of these sunscreens contain ingredients that would not be my first choice – people that want to take it a step further can use the cosmetics database to dig further or see how their brand scores. However many people, myself included want to greatly reduce exposures and I feel this list gives a variety of options for achieving that goal.

There were a number of brands that scored well with the EWG and didn’t make this guide simply because I didn’t recognize them – if it’s going to be on a list that is an effective tool for people when they are shopping, they need to be able to find them at a store near them.

When I review a product on an individual basis I actually try the products and can speak from personal experience. I compiled this list so that I could do my own summer sunscreen shopping.

The burt’s bees chemical free 30 is rated 3 in the Cosmetics Database and contains ingredients linked to cancer and the Jason’s Earth Best Mineral Based 30 is rated a 1 on the EWG, also contains ingredients linked to cancer. All things being equal, if I was choosing between the two I would pick the Earth’s Best.