How Safe Is Your Sunscreen?

By Megan Driscoll 

There is a lot of chatter about sunscreen lately - UVA, UVB, which brand is best, does it contain potential toxins, are more expensive brands better? In June, the FDA announced new requirements for sunscreen labels as part of an ongoing effort to ensure sunscreens meet modern-day standards for safety and efficacy. Regulations will not go into effect until summer 2012, but hopefully they will bring more clarity to what we are putting on our bodies.

With so much information swirling around, I wanted to take a closer look. After all, being outdoors in nice weather is healthy for both mind and body, but it is important to have confidence in your sunscreen. Sun protection is essential to skin cancer prevention.

Unfortunately, potential toxins are in many of the products we use and the foods we eat. However, armed with the information below, hopefully you can find a sunscreen to feel good about. It is important to note the validity of much of the research on potentially harmful ingredients in sunscreen remains in question. Some studies are not formally published or have not yet been peer reviewed, and many have not been conducted on humans. The FDA maintains the products are safe for consumer use and will continue to review safety information for targeted ingredients as part of the new regulations.

Bottom line - it is confusing and there is no perfect answer, so it is best to speak to your dermatologist to devise a plan that works for you. Skin cancer is a very serious health risk and the benefits of using the proper sunscreen far outweigh the risks of going without. Sunscreen is only part of what needs to be a multi-pronged approach to protect against the sun's harmful UV rays. Seeking shade, covering up with clothing including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses are also important strategies.

Ultraviolet or UV radiation from the sun bears 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers, affecting 1 out of every 5 Americans, and 65% of melanoma cases. Starting next summer, in accordance with the FDA, only products that protect skin from both UVA and UVB sun rays can be labeled "broad spectrum." Those that don't, or those with an SPF less than 15 must carry a warning that the product does not protect against skin cancer or prevent premature skin aging.

The FDA regulations ban exaggerated claims about the strength and durability of a sunscreen. The terms sunblock, waterproof and sweatproof are no longer allowed on labels. Water resistant formulas must say on the label how long the product will protect the skin before reapplication is needed (40 or 80 minutes). Regardless, all sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours because they break down over time. Sunscreens can no longer be labeled with an SPF higher than 50 because there is not enough evidence that higher SPF products contain more protection.

When evaluating sunscreens, there are two key ingredients to look for: titanium oxide or zinc oxide, which act like a mirror to reflect the sun's rays; and octinoxate or oxybenzone. Yet neither are without controversy.

An environmental group called Friends of the Earth fear that nanoparticles, which are added to sunscreens containing titanium or zinc oxide (to ensure that they rub on clear rather than white), may pass through the skin's surface with potentially harmful effects. Friends of the Earth also believe that these nanoparticles may be harmful to the environment. However, the jury is still out on whether they are safe and most research shows the nanoparticles do not enter the bloodstream. There are currently no labeling requirements for nanoparticles.

Click here to continue reading and for lists of the safest, most effective sunscreens.