Thursday, June 7, 2012

Review - Green Beaver Sunscreen (@thegreenbeaver)

I think we can all agree that sun safety is important.  I am a fair skinned woman, always have been - and I burn easily. Growing up, I was always jealous of those that had beautiful, tanned skin. I even went so far as to lay out in the sun with no sunscreen HOPING to get a burn, because then it would turn into a tan after a few days. Was I ever lacking in knowledge regarding sun safety.

Once I started hearing more about skin cancer, and the effects the sun has on a persons body, I did start to take a little more care in the sunscreen department. But, I will admit that it was not until I had kids that it REALLY sank in with me.  I made sure to educate myself on the different types of sun screen on the market, and how they work.

Wearing sunscreen doesn't make you invincible from the sun - you still need to take precautions. Staying hydrated, wearing a hat, sitting in the shade, and taking a break from strenuous activities will all help. Did you also know that sunscreen should be applied 20-30 minutes before exposure to sun, and then it should be reapplied every 2 hours (or after getting out of the water as it can wash away). Be liberal with the amount you use - to avoid burns you want GOOD coverage - and don't forget your feet, ears and back of your neck (your head too if your bald).

You don't need a super-high SPF; there isn't a huge difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 - but 30 is the lowest recommended. If you use higher, it doesn't mean that you can stay out in the sun for hours longer, so be smart and take breaks indoors if you can, or in the shade at least.

Since becoming a mom, I have become much more conscious of what goes on our skin and in our bodies. I also have never really paid much attention to which brand of sunscreen I bought, or the ingredients used.  With the boys eczema, I have had to get much more picky - and I wanted to try something natural. I recently had the chance to try out Green Beaver Kids Sunscreen - read below for my views on the product.

I will admit, when I first tried it out I was a little put off. I found it thick, oily and after it was applied it still felt greasy.  I wasn't quite ready to give up though, and after speaking with a friend of mine who owns a natural parenting store (that also sells Green Beaver products) she gave me some tips on how to use it and I came home and tried them.

The first tip - knead the tube of sunscreen with your hands to help work everything in together and the second tip - shake the tube with all you have got - this will help to mix the oil back in.

After getting home, I grabbed the tube and kneaded it for a good 60 seconds. Then I shook it up for another 20 seconds or so, and when I opened it was very happy with what I saw. It came out easily and then I rubbed it between my hands and was able to easily apply it to the kids.  It gives GREAT coverage and once it is on it doesn't leave the body white - and after using the tips above, I didn't find it as noticeably greasy on the skin either.

Pro's                                                          
- made in Canada
- natural product with no harmful chemicals
- certified organic
- good coverage
- no reaction with the boys eczema - not one flare up while using the product!

The only real cons I found are that it is slightly greasy and not as convenient to apply as the aerosol sprays. However, I will give up convenience for the health factor with my family (although they do have a non-aerosol spray available in SPF 27, but that is not the one I reviewed)

I would say that if you want the convenience factor - then this isn't the product for you. I know it is much easier to grab a spray bottle and get the kids geared up for the sun - but it is much less healthy.  If you are looking for a natural alternative, then Green Beaver is a great product and you should give it a try!.Green Beaver has a number of product lines available, for hair, face, body and more. You can connect with them on Twitter and Facebook as well!


*The product mentioned above was received free of charge in exchange for my opinion. Tales of Mommyhood is not responsible should your opinion or experience vary from ours. I am not a doctor or skin care expert - please check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information*

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64 comments:

  1. I love Green Beaver products! And with sunscreen being applied every day in our house, having a safe product is very important!

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    1. glad to hear it! it is so important to be safe with the sun

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    2. Children should always have sunscreen when out in the sun

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    3. Anything natural is better in my books

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    4. I am always excited to find out when something is made in canada. I am a strong supporter with that. Plus all the other great benefits of this sunscreen thats a big plus. Organic, safe for sensative skin etc :)

      Interesting to try this product! And others.

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    5. great interesting stuff

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    6. I agree, Canadian made is a major bonus. I like that we are focused on the natural sunscreen with this product, that is a bonus for me.

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  2. I am going to look into this sunscreen we always use natural sunscreen but I haven't tried this one out yet!

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  3. I've never tried green beaver before, I'll have to go and take a look. I do however prefer the lotions over the sprays, so I'll make sure to check out Shoppers or Walmart the next time I'm out.

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    1. I've never tried either, be nice to win to be able to try out stuff and see what I like

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  4. Hmmm... I might have to check this out. I tan really well (hardly ever burn - except for my ears) but like you, with children I've become more conscious of sun. I try to limit our time outside in the mid-day and encourage them to wear hats, but like me, they don't like hats. They are willing to put "lotion" on any time, and I'm about out, so I'll look for this next time I'm at the store. :)

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  5. Ah, thanks for the tip! I wish I had known that when I tried this sunscreen. Next tube I buy I'll be sure to shake and squeeze/knead.

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    1. no problem - hopefully if you gave it a try again these tips helped

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  7. I am really big on sunscreen, and I am so happy to come across Green Beaver!!
    Yes it is greasy but it is worth it! It is just zinc oxcide (21 percent) non nano and because zinc oxicde itself can be so drying, the other natural hydrating ingrediants really make it moisterizing. Gals with oilier skin, could find it really greasy, however some powder over it will matte it out.
    Another amazing thing, never broke me out once, even though it is super greasy...I was surprised cause I have sensitive combo to dry skin.
    Better to safe with natural zinc oxcide sunblock than harmful chemical ones, which can actually cause more damage in the end by causing more hyperpigmantaion when the sun heats up your skin.

    Yay Green Beaver!

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    1. thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your thoughts!

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  8. I use quite a few Green Beaver products and I usually love them, but have to be honest I really did not like the sunscreen. It feels extremely greasy, no matter if I shake it or not, it's just so uncomfortable ! Since I had paid 20 $ for the tube I tried using it again lately, and ended up showering and going back to another brand of sunscreen, my beach clothes were all greasy !

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    1. that's too bad you aren't a fan. I do understand that it is greasy. Glad to hear you like the other products. Thanks for your comment

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  9. We have all had horrible eczema this year and I've tried every product by I guess I haven't! Thanks for sharing this review

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    1. No problem - I hope you find that it works well and doesn't aggrivate your eczema

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  10. I'm glad to learn that it has good coverage

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  11. glad to learn it has good coverage

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  12. That you should apply it 20-30 minutes before exposure and to reapply it every 2 hours.

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  13. To reapply every 2 hours and to kneed the tube and then shake the heck out of it!

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  14. I actually had never heard of Green Beaver before. I learned it is important to apply the sunscreen about thirty minutes BEFORE you go out into the sun.

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  15. As a fellow fair-skinned person, I was happy to see the tips about what you can do to decrease the chances of a burn in addition to wearing sunscreen!

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  16. I've never used GB sunscreen but I have used a lot of other natural sunscreens and many tend to separate and leave your skin greasy like you mentioned, so thanks for the tip on how to minimize this problem!

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  17. I've never used GB sunscreen but i have used other natural sunscreens and many tend to separate and leave your skin greasy so thanks for the tip on how to minimize this problem!

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  18. I've been using Green Beaver shampoo and conditioner for the past year, and I have been very impressed with their products.

    I have sensitive skin, and have never habitually used sunscreen because it tends to make me feel like my skin is on fire (luckily, I don't burn easily). Considering that I have had no skin problems with other Green Beaver products, I'd be willing to give their sunscreen a try. Hearing confirmation that it doesn't irritate your child's eczema makes me feel more confident about trying it.

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  19. I've never heard of the company Green Beaver before! I am very excited to find a Canadian company!!! Also, I didn't realize that SPF 30 was close to SPF 50, I always ruled out the lower SPF sunscreens!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  20. Margaret MacIntoshJuly 2, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    I've only used Green Beaver products for myself. I'd love to try them on my son who's just about 5 months old! Love organic and love local!

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  21. I didn't realize GB is Canadian - good to know!

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  22. I am glad to know that it is certified organic!!! I would also like to know if it is certified gluten free and my children and myself have celiac disease?

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  23. I like the kids sunscreen. Love that it's non-whitening and that it's chemical free.

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  24. I have never tried Green Beaver before, but would love to

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  25. I'm happy to have some tricks because I find out that all natural sunscreen got this greasy texture. Thanks ! :)

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  26. I have just started using green beaver sunscreen recently after both my kids had reactions to two other brands. So far I'm very happy with it

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  27. Just started using GB sunscreen and love it

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  28. I have just started using green beaver sunscreen recently after both my kids had reactions to two other brands. So far I'm very happy with it

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  29. Love this article. I can so relate since I am fair skinned as well and burn very easily.
    There were lots of good pieces of advice and I am curious to try the green beaver products especially the sun screen. Its funny how our children make us want to do better and be better.

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  30. Good to know that it's greasy - I was looking at it for my face but I tend to be oily around my mouth and nose. I will try it anyway and see how it goes.

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  31. looking forward to trying it.

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  32. i never new the spf differences meant

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  33. So glad to hear that it didn't exacerbate excema... my little guy is suffering with patches of it now and don't want to make things worse but also can't let him burn!

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  34. I learned to knead the tube of sunscreen with your hands to help work everything in together and then shake the tube so this will help to mix the oil back in.

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  35. Like a lot of people here, I learned that there is no difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 ;) Very good to know !

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  36. great deals and products!

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  37. I just bought some and found it really greasy...I'm going to give your tips a try, Thanks!

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  38. I had never heard of Green Beaver products, but will now look for it when I shop for my little ones. I prefer things as natural as possible and buying Canadian is always a plus!

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  39. Great tip about kneading and shaking the product before use!

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  40. I am only hearing about Green Beaver Products, but I would definitely love to try it now :)

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  41. I have never heard of Green Beaver before. That is great that it's a Canadian company and organic as well. I always like to support Canadian products. And I didn't know that there isn't much difference between 30 and 50 spf. Now I know.

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  42. I loved your review and was glad to hear about mixing the product. That may have been a major con for me.

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  43. Always trying to buy local or at least canadian...great option!!

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  44. Love their products! and I didn't think to knead it to get the sunscreen to be even better!

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  45. its gluten free too!!!!

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  46. Great review! Thanks for introducing this Mama-to-be to a great, Canadian product!

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  47. Sun safety is always important... thanks for the review!

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  48. I didn't know there wasn't much difference between 30 and 50 SPF.

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  49. My kids are always outside, would like to try this sun screen

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  50. I found out that Green Beaver products are made in Canada and are natural products made without harmful chemicals. (Lorena H)

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