It’s not only the sun you need to worry about. Do you know what’s in your sunscreen? Photo: Guadagno
We’ve all learned the hard way that spending too much time in the sun can create some pretty traumatizing effects. While researching for the 2013 sunscreen guide, The Environmental Working Group found a lot of surprising, and somewhat disheartening, information. Only 25% of sunscreen products on the market offer strong protection with limited safety concerns. Most sunscreens do not filter skin-damaging rays safely or effectively. Because FDA standards in America are not the strongest, more than half of the sunscreen products sold in the US could not be sold in Europe. Some chemical sunscreens contain Endocrine disruptors, which can cause the abnormal development of fetuses and possibly even lead to prostate cancer. Disturbed? Us too…
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested over 1,400 sunscreens. Here are the top 5 that tend to do more harm than good:
1. Panama Jack Continuous Clear Sunscreen Spray: The UVA protection with this sunscreen is poor and the health concerns are high. It contains oxybenzone, which is a chemical linked to allergies and hormone disruption. It also can destroy coral reefs when it washes off our bodies and into the ocean. It’s a lose-lose situation.
2. Vichy Laboratories Capital Soleil Sunscreen: Although the stability and UVA/UVB balance is effective in this sunscreen, it still contains 6% oxybenzone. Other ingredients include avobenzone, which has been under some scrutiny. Some studies have shown that it breaks down in sunlight, while others show it as being stable.
3. Trader Joe’s Nourish Spray Sunscreen: It’s easy to reach for the spray, but studies have shown that lotions provide better coverage. People have also been known to accidentally inhale the spray, which can have damaging effects to your lungs. The Trader Jones Spray Sunscreen also contains 6% oxybenzone.
4. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Broad Spectrum Sunscreen: The Neutrogena sunscreen contains oxybenzone and misleading SPF. Suprisingly some of the most popular brands are the worst offenders on the EWG list.
5. Any Walgreens brand sunscreen: Most Walgreen brand sunscreens contain Vitamin A, which, according to some studies, may speed the development of skin tumors when combined with sunlight. The evidence is not definitive but definitely troubling. Most dermatologists recommend that consumers avoid ingredients such as Vitamin A, retinyl palmitate and retinol when choosing a sunscreen.
Although there are a lot of damaging sunscreens out there, there are also a lot of good ones that can save you from sunburn agony. Visit EWG for the complete list.
