Sunscreen Safety

It's only April, but with the ridiculously nice weather so far this spring, the kiddos have been playing outside in shorts & short-sleeves...which means it's time to think about sunscreen! I don't know about you, but I find it very confusing to pick a good sunscreen...and by "good" I mean one that protects from the sun AND is safe for our bodies!!

According to the Environmental Working Group's 2009 Sunscreen Investigation:

• Of nearly 500 name-brand sunscreens, 40% do not adequately protect skin from sun damage OR contain hazardous chemicals - OR BOTH.
• Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.
• Twenty-one (21) sunscreens claiming SPFs from 55-100+ might tempt you to stay out longer in the sun, but they block just 1 to 2% more sunburn rays than an SPF 30 sunscreen.
• Four percent of high SPF sunscreens (SPF of at least 30) protect only from sunburn (UVB radiation), and provide poor protection from UVA, the sun rays linked to skin damage and aging, immune system problems, and potentially skin cancer.

It's helpful to understand that there are 2 different types of active ingredients in sunscreen:

• Mineral or "physical" blockers which reflect and scatter UV rays. The most common and effective physical blockers are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. According to the EWG, "little to no zinc and titanium absorb through the skin, and they provide stable UVA protection relative to the other ingredients."
• Chemical blockers which absorb and disperse UV rays. A common chemical blocker is oxybenzone (also listed as benzophenone-3), but is rated poorly by EWG due "to high absorption through skin, high rates of allergic reactions, and growing concerns about hormone disruption."
  

Mineral blockers are often rated highly because they are very effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays and because of their low health hazard, but many people dislike them because they can be hard to rub in (and who wants to look like a ghost?). To counteract this, many sunscreens contain nano-sized particles of these mineral blockers, which unfortunately have not been fully studied for health effects yet!

So, just because an active ingredient is a 'physical blocker' doesn't necessarily mean it is effective or safe. Likewise, just because an active ingredient is a 'chemical blocker' doesn't necessarily mean it's dangerous! See...it's not just me...it IS confusing!!!

What's the bottom line?

• Avoid oxybenzone & benzophenone-3, since these are known endrocrine disruptors & easily absorbed by the skin. Also linked to allergic reactions & cancer.
  
• Opt for mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide (at least 7%), but avoid nano-sized versions of these 'good' ingredients
• Avoid powder and spray sunscreens, due to concerns about inhalation of small particles
• Avoid synthetic fragrances
• Avoid sunscreen-bug repellent combination products, as they can result in over-exposure to repellent ingredients due to frequent reapplication of sunscreen
• Aim for an SPF of at least 30, but be aware that super-high SPFs may give you a false sense of safety.
• Look for both UVA and UVB protection to provide broad band protection.
  

Best Bets, according to the Environmental Working Group:
from their 2009 report...an update for 2010 will be available soon!

1. Loving Naturals Sunscreen, SPF 30+
2. Badger Sunscreen Face Stick, SPF 30+, Unscented
3. Heiko Kids, 40 SPF
4. thinkbaby sunscreen, SPF 30+
5. Trukid Sunny Days Face & Body Stick, SPF 30+
6. Beyond Coastal Lip & Face Screen, SPF 30
7. Purple Prairie Botanicals Sunstick, SPF 30
8. Soleo/Wyland Organics All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+
9. Lavera Sunscreen Neutral, SPF 40
10. All Terrain TerraSport Performacne Sunscreen, SPF 30

If you really dislike mineral sunscreens, click here for a list of EWG's top rated non-mineral sunscreens.

Curious how your current favorites rate?? Check out Skin Deep SEARCHABLE Safe Cosmetic Database and get detailed information on all of the ingredients in your current favorites - for sunscreen, cosmetics, bath products & more! You can search by product, ingredient or company! Super handy. (I just wish they had an iPhone app with this info!)

Stay tuned here for a future blog post on cosmetics!