How to choose the best sunscreen for our babies?

The sunny season is starting and I can't wait to take Luana to the beach. I want my baby to love the beach just like I do, however , there are some cautions that need to be taken with a newborn baby on sumer. Because of global warming, the sun is getting stronger and stronger every year. Sunscreen must be used everyday. Babies skin's are 100 times more sensitive than an adults skin.
How to choose the best sunscreen for your baby?

I received this message from Nicole, a Osteopath at  'Bulb Osteopathy', a very nice clinic located in Clovelly.
I thought it would be interesting for the new mums

Which sunscreen for babies/children?

I made it though last summer without using any sunscreen on my girls as they were under 6 months old and stayed in the same spot when you put them down. Rather than use sunscreen that might be absorbed into their delicate skin, I used UV covers on the strollers, hats, wraps and kept them in the shade. 

Now they move all over the place and hate wearing hats. Sigh. I have thus succumbed to buying and using sunscreen. Which one? After some research, mostly from the Environmental Working Group site listed below, I bought 'Invisible Zinc'. I bought it from Coles, you can also get it from pharmacies.
Why not just any sunscreen? Some sunscreens don't provide protection from UVA rays (there are UVA and UVB rays, UVA rays primarily cause aging, but have recently been linked to skin cancer. UVB rays are mostly responsible for visible sunburn). Some sunscreens contain synthetic oestrogens which can potentially disrupt hormone levels and others still contain ingredients broken down by UV radiation.
The Environmental Working Group http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/is the best website I have found that explains sunscreens in detail. They are a US not for profit, seemingly well referenced organisation that has ranked 1841 sunscreens and they provide a list of 158 best sunscreens (unfortunately mostly US brands, but you can apply their criteria to sunscreens on the shelf here or order online).  

So basically AVOID

* using sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using small amounts of sunscreen on babies under 6 months as a last resort.  

* nanoparticles (a new technology of uber small particles, haven't been around for long and there are concerns they may enter bloodstream)

* oxybenzone (potential hormone disruptor, penetrates the skin in relatively large amounts)

* vitamin A (retinyl palmitate). Recent studies have shown tumors develop sooner on skin coated with creams containing vitamin A. 

CHOOSE sunscreens containing:

* zinc or

* titanium dioxide or

* avobenzone

that provide protection against UVA and UVB rays. 

And creams are better than sprays or powders as sprays or powders may be inhaled.
The Environment Working Group also has an app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ewg-sunscreen-buyers-  guide/id378866183?mt=8  that rates sunscreens on their claims and safety.