Are Your Sunscreens Safe?

Updated: I just got this email from Environmental Working Group....
Four out of 5 sunscreens don't give the protection you need, blocking too little of the sun's harmful UV radiation, or containing ingredients with significant safety concerns.

Leading brands like Coppertone, Neutrogena, and Banana Boat fared poorly. Here are our top picks:

Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock
Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum
California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance
Badger Sunscreen
Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/

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I am not suprised. I recently bought a book called Gorgeously Green on ways a normal -- middle of the road -- kind of family can be more green and seriously every single product practically we use...lotion, shampoo, soap... everything is dangerous and had carcinogens in them.. it's overwhelming.

Maybe you should consider doing more SPF clothing instead but that doesn't cover it all.

L.

It might have gotten knocked off because at first glance I thought you were selling something.

I came across this about a year ago when I was researching what to use w/my daughter who has reactions to avobenzene. avobenzene is the most common chemical in all the big name sunscreens, so its tough to find one w/out. I did most of my research on EWG's site (the cosmetic database I believe you've referenced) along w/ a couple others. I do believe the concerns are very valid w/the chemical sunscreens. the physical sunscreens seem to be reasonably safe (heck, my mom used them on us when I was growing up so they've been around a long time and have a long history). The problem is, the physical sunscreens that we've used for years (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are very expensive when not mixed with chemical sunscreens and they're very hard to rub in. I've changed my sunscreens so that we are not applying avobenzene (my daughter's issue) or oxybenzone (the worst offender per EWG) and that there is a physical sunscreen component. I would love to switch to Australian only brands of sunscreen that are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide but they run $20 plus per 8 oz bottle. the aussies do a much better job of testing waterproofing and knowing what actually works and have much stricter regs. With bike riding everyday and camping and hiking on the weekends, using aussie brands would run into real money very quickly. So, here's my solution to be sunsafe on a budget.....we use physical only (walgreen's has one and Neutrogena has one-both are about $7-8 for 4 oz) on our faces and necks where the skin is thinner. We use Banana Boat kids, which is a zinc oxide or titanium dioxide w/a couple of chemical sunscreens (but not oxybenzone or avobenzene) on arms and legs. We ALWAYS wear hats (only exception is pool but we do wear them at the beach). I've bought everyone, including adults, rash guards and board shorts, so we don't need to use as much sunscreen on our bodies when doing water sports. Spaghetti straps and tank tops are not allowed. I try to do outdoor stuff in shady areas and I try to do outdoor time before 11 and after 3, but its not always possible so sunscreen is a necessity. all that said, I'm not going to limit my kids in their outdoor time because I feel its more important for them to be running around, learning about nature and being imaginative than it is to worry about skin cancer 30+ years from now. Plus, we have yet to have any burns on my white blond, blue-eyed, very fair-skinned kids....each kid (4 and 6) has had a pink nose once and that's it, so I think they're in good shape since getting burned is of more concern than getting a light tan over a long time (they're just now showing a light tan and we spent all of June riding bikes and going to the park). Good luck finding a balance that protects your kids, your peace of mind, and your wallet.

No sunscreen is not safe. I have read about it but don't read a lot of detail cause everything in this day and age is bad for you!
I don't use sunscreen and try to avoid it! I have skin allergies that I will break out in a rash with the wrong lotion or soap.
C. B

Funny you should post this because I saw a news story on channel 4 last night and they said the same thing. The Dr. on said you should still use sunscreen but do some research the FDA does not regulate sunscreen or cosmetics for that matter. Marketing tools such as waterproof, could be false. They also said there may be chemicals that could be harmful when absorbed in the skin. My husband is getting very "organic" and doesn't want me to even put any lotions on our kids. I haven't yet but he said (the Dr.)they researched 90 products and rated them on their safeness and truthfulness. It would be on their website. I will check it out, I guess that would be a good place to start.