While we're only at the beginning of May, it feels like summer! People are stocking up early on sunscreen, but it's important to know what to look for.  Just like your food, be sure to look at the ingredients.

The Environmental Working Group is an amazing watchdog group that helps alert consumers to toxic chemicals in our food and products.  They even have an annual   Sunscreen Guide.  

 

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

 

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 contribute 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:

 

Adorable Baby

Alba Botanica

All Terrain

Aubrey Organics

Badger

BurnOut

ECO logical skin care

Kiss My Face

Raw Elements

Seventh Generation

 

AVOID some of these worst offenders:

 

Banana Boat Kids Quick Sunblock Spray 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 Sunscreen Guide 2014    

 

As you hopefully bask in the sun this Sunday with the proper sunscreen, I want to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful and amazing mothers out there. Enjoy your special day! 

 
Visit  www.JillTheHealthCoach.com for more info to a better you. We look forward to hearing from you as you