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Sunscreens That May Do More Harm than Good
I t's finally Memorial Day weekend. Time to barbecue, go to the beach, but especially enjoy a long weekend of fun in the sun as Summer officially begins. Just in time to help us before we get burned, the Environmental Working Group came out with their famous Sunscreen Guide 2014. There seems to be so much confusion with the results of many studies. Some say sunscreens protect against certain types of cancer. Others say they do little. While it is agreed that sunscreens protect against sunburn, there is little evidence to support the efficacy or safety of many of the ingredients.
In general, it is agreed to avoid the following
type of sunscreens:
Sprays
-causes inhalation of sunscreen which may not be safe to breathe
Powders
-causes inhalation of sunscreen which may not be safe to breathe
SPF above 50+
-may suppress burns a little but cause other skin damage 
Use these types of sunscreens:
Cream
Broad spectrum protection
Water resistant
SPF 30 for beach and pool
Ingredients matter.
Avoid
using sunscreens with the following ingredients:
- Oxybenzone (synthetic estrogen-yikes!)
- Vitamin A or retinyl palmitate (can cause tumors or lesions-double yikes!)
- Added insect repellant (in some cases chemicals that filter harmful ultraviolet rays can interact with insect repelling chemicals in ways that decrease sunburn protection).
Use sunscreens with these ingredients:
Zinc
Titanium dioxide
Avobenzone or Mexoryl SX
Bottom line, with the thousands of sunscreens to choose from, why have skin cancer rates stayed the same or even increased?
Could some of the ingredients of these sunscreens even c
ontribute to skin cancer?
I choose to listen to the unbiased experts at EWG and follow the guidelines above or the top and worst sunscreens below. Then again, a big old hat and shade may be the safest option of all!
Check out some of
EWGs top safest and most effective sunscreens:
- Butterbean Sunscreen, SPF 20
- Just Skin Food Natural and Organic Sunscreen, SPF 30
- Releve Organic Skincare Sun-Lite Sunscreen, SPF 20
- Loving Naturals Adorable Baby Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30+
- Loving Naturals Clear Body Sunscreen, SPF 30+
- Loving Naturals Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30+
- All Terrain AquaSport Face Stick, SPF 28
- All Terrain AquaSport Lotion, SPF 30
- All Terrain KidSport Face Stick, SPF 28
- All Terrain KidSport Lotion, SPF 30 Baby
AVOID some of these worst offenders:
- Banana Boat Kids Quik Sunblock Apray Lotion. SPF 35 (4% oxybenzone)
- Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70+ (6% oxybenzone)
- Banana Boat Baby Tear Free Sunblock, SPF 50 (contain retinyl palmitate)
- Arbonne Baby Care Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (contain retinly palmitate)
- Australian Gold Baby Formula Lotion, SPF 50 (contain retinyl palmitate)
- Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Beach and Pool, SPF 70 (nothing "safer" over SPF 50)
- CVS Kids Fast Cover Continuous Spray, SPF 50 (sprays pose serious inhalationrisk)
- Rite Aid Baby Continuous Spray, SPF 50 (sprays pose serious inhalation risk)
- Go!screen Natural Mineral PowderBlock Brush-On, SPF 30(possible carcinogen when inhaled)
- Aveeno Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock Fact Lotion, SPF 30
- Coppertone UltraGuard
For the full report, check out EWG 2014 Guide to Sunscreen.
Let Us HEALTH You.
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Jill the Health Coach FB page
All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.
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