Summer’s here, and that means long hikes, trips to the beach, and barbecues with old friends. Head out unprepared, however, and your summer souvenirs could include a bad sunburn and a slew of bug bites.

Your first line of defense against sunburn may be as simple as putting on a hat, sitting in the shade, and otherwise protecting your skin by keeping it covered up. Likewise with bug protection—wearing long sleeves, socks, and pants instead of shorts can go a long way toward protecting you from insect bites. But there are times, of course, when you will need the protection of a commercially-prepared sunscreen or insect repellent. Before you break out your go-to brands of sunblock and bug spray, there are some good reasons to read the labels first. These products may contain ingredients that can cause skin irritation, health problems, and even harm the environment.

Thankfully, more natural alternatives are available. Just don’t be fooled by the word “natural” on a label. Many sunscreens and insect repellents use the term even if they include only one or two natural ingredients. To be sure a product is truly natural, you’ll have to become dedicated to reading labels. Here’s what to look for, and what to avoid, as you embark on your summer adventures.

Something new under the sun

With skin cancer on the rise, you probably already slather on the sunscreen before spending time outside. But the very same chemicals that make conventional sunscreen work might have unintended consequences for the environment and your health.

Environmental effect: A 2008 Italian study found that commonly used sunscreen chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, can bleach and eventually kill coral reefs—something that would cause huge changes in marine biology and have disastrous consequences for some marine life. While the study was conducted in a lab setting, environmentalists worry that the amount of sunscreen that washes off at beaches could eventually have a negative effect on the biodiversity of already endangered reef ecosystems.

Impact on your health: You know by now that slathering on the white stuff is crucial, but choosing the ingredients in your block wisely is also important. While many chemicals in sunscreens (such as oxybenzone, octisalate, and octinoxate), offer UVB protection, blocking the kind of rays that cause burning and contribute to skin cancer, they don’t do much to block deeper-penetrating UVA rays that cause aging and also play a part in skin cancer development. Today’s FDA standards require manufacturers to label their sunscreen’s ability to block UVB rays, listed as SPF (sun protection factor). This should change before 2010, however, when the FDA is expected to implement its new sunscreen labeling rules.

“When implemented, the rules will make it harder for manufacturers to use bogus claims on their sunscreen labels like ‘all-day protection,’ ‘waterproof,’ and ‘chemical-free,’” says Sonya Lunder, senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group, a health and environmental watchdog organization based in Washington, DC. The new rules will also require companies to disclose how much UVA protection a sunscreen provides; right now, even sunscreens labeled “broad-spectrum” may not actually contain any UVA blockers.

To best protect your skin, your health, and your children’s health, you can visit the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database to find the sunscreens with the safest ratings, or you can choose mineral sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, both of which excel at blocking UVA and UVB rays by reflecting sunlight. Lunder recommends looking for sunscreens that have a minimum of 7 percent to 10 percent concentration of the minerals to ensure you’re adequately protected.

The only downside to these blocks? Some mineral-based sunscreens can leave white streaks after applying them—not exactly the look you want poolside. However, companies have become more efficient at micronizing the particles so they still reflect light while spreading on clear. We like these options:

• Burt’s Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 30 ($14, 3.5 oz)
• Lotus Moon Sage Sun Protective Crème SPF 15 and SPF 25 ($32, 2 oz.)
• Nature’s Gate Mineral Sunblock SPF 20 ($9.99, 4 oz.)
• Alba Botanica Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 18 ($9.95, 4 oz.)
• Goddess Garden Kids Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 ($12.97, 3 oz.)

A better buzzkill

Sticky, smelly skin is usually the price you pay for protection against biting bugs. That’s because the majority of insect repellents used today contain DEET (short for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), a chemical agent with a scent even mosquitoes find offensive. It’s one of only a handful of insect repellents recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be effective at warding off bugs, but its environmental and safety credentials have been investigated by environmentalists, scientists, and health-minded parents.

Environmental effect: DEET is so ubiquitous, the chemical can be found in waterways all over the world; the more urban the area, the more likely DEET is found in the water. Although very few studies assess its long-term effects, some research indicates the chemical can be toxic to some aquatic life and birds.

Impact on your health: No one doubts DEET’s effectiveness, but many ask at what price? Prolonged exposure to the chemical has been linked to neurological damage in a handful of children, and skin irritation has been reported in prolonged use of DEET. Couple that with the fact that DEET has been shown to dissolve plastic and vinyl, and it’s no wonder why some scientists and consumers are turning toward natural alternatives that may be safer to leave on your skin all day long.

For the natural repellent with the most scientific backing, look to lemon eucalyptus oil, the sole natural ingredient to get the EPA’s endorsement. Numerous studies show that it works just as effectively as low levels of DEET (7 percent to 15 percent concentrations) by masking the body’s natural odors. Look for a 30 percent to 40 percent concentration for maximum effectiveness.

The most ancient natural remedy isn’t on the EPA’s list, but some Asian and African cultures swear by neem as an effective bug repellent, and some studies support that, though a higher concentration is needed to match the effectiveness of DEET or other repellents. Azadirachtin, the active ingredient in neem, masks body scent and changes the taste of your skin.

Other natural essential oils shown to have bug-warding abilities include oil of citronella (found most often in candles, though it is somewhat effective on the skin), rosemary, and lemon verbena. One recent study indicated that a compound in sweet basil (eugenol) might also be as effective as DEET against ticks.

To make your own natural repellent, simply add three drops of pure essential oil to a teaspoon of a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba.

One caution when choosing a natural bug repellent: Be sure to apply early and often. “It’s not how much, but how often, you apply botanical remedies that will offer the more dramatic benefits,” explains Autumn Blum, cosmetic chemist and founder of Organix-South. Most herbal remedies need to be reapplied at least every 90 minutes.

If you choose to go the natural route, you can also look for a bug repellent that contains many of the ingredients mentioned above as well as other natural extracts. “Natural products that use herbs, such as neem, and essential oils for outdoor protection do not have just one ‘active ingredient,’” says Blum, whose company makes neem products. “They contain many compounds to cocreate the symphony of information used by plants to ward off infestations of insects, microbes, and fungi.” A few products to try:

• Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent ($8, 4 oz.)
• TheraNeem Herbal Outdoor Spray ($8.95, 4 oz;.)
• All Terrain Kid’s Herbal Armor Spray ($7.99, 4 oz,)

More ways to stay healthy

Regardless of what products you choose for your summer activity protection, follow these extra tips for maximum outdoor safety:

• Wear lightweight long sleeves, pants, and wide-brimmed hats if you’re outdoors for long periods of time, and encourage your children to do the same. This simple step will offer protection from both bugs and the sun. As an extra precaution, wear light colors, since bugs are more attracted to dark-colored clothing
• Reapply protection early and often. Don’t take chances after swimming or taking a long hike; even products labeled “waterproof” will wear off if exposed to water. Regardless of activity, it’s wise to keep your sunscreen and insect repellent handy and slather it on again every 90 minutes or so.

The warm weather will be gone before you know it, so take the time to protect yourself naturally and enjoy all that summer and the great outdoors have to offer.