Just When You Thought Sunscreen Was Safe…
April 14, 2008 by GiGi
Welcome back!
It’s almost summer (at least where I live) and time for the best anti aging skin care treatment – sunscreen!
At least that’s what we’ve always been told – slather on that SPF30 because the sun is so damaging to your skin. But what about the sunscreen you’re using? Is that safe? Probably not.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 97% of Americans are using a sunscreen with oxybenzone in it, a substance that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. This chemical is also linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy.
The Environmental Working Group has found that 588 sunscreens (many of them common brands, such as Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat) contain oxybenzone. It also found that 84% of 910 name-brand sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients, like oxybenzone, with significant safety concerns. Isn’t that fun?
Where’s The FDA?
According to the EWG: FDA last reviewed the safety of oxybenzone in the 1970s (USPC 1975), republishing its evaluation in 1978, at the same time it announced plans to develop comprehensive standards for sunscreen safety and effectiveness (FDA 1978). 30 years later, the Agency has yet to issue final regulations. Instead, it encourages manufacturers to follow draft guidelines that the Agency has delayed finalizing at the behest of the sunscreen industry. As a result, sunscreen manufacturers in the U.S. are free to market products containing ingredients like oxybenzone that have not been proven safe for people.
What Is A Safe Sunscreen?
I encourage you to follow the link to the EWG above and read for yourself. They have a very detailed list of safe and not safe sunscreens to use.
Or you can let me do all the research. Here’s a couple of good ones they recommended. (If you click on the Kabana GreenScreen, be sure to read their page on why SPF 15 is just as good as SPF 30)
- The Safe Sunscreen Debate – This One Makes Sense...
- More Anti Aging Skin Care Tips...
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That’s a good thing to know about sunscreen. Just the right time for summer and moms especially will have to check out the stores for the recommended sunscreen brands.
Yes, unfortunately most of the brands can’t be found at local stores. I think I read of a couple that you find at Sephora.
You can buy them online. I tried to find a couple in the reasonable price range.
allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage!!! Thanks for the warning, I am glad that I stopped here.
Wow- interesting stuff in here that I want to follow-up on. One thing that is totally off base on their site is the SPF difference between 15 and 30.
Thanks for your comment!
Just curious, what is “totally off base” about Kabana’s analysis of the difference between SPF 15 and SPF 30?
SPF 15 gives you about 92% of protection and SPF gives you about 97% of protection.
I have found other sites that support their numbers.
Let us know if you have found something different!
GiGi
Face cream with peptides – the Purlisse Pur Protect SPF 30 Essential Daily Moisturizer does not only act as a moisturizer, but also a sunblock.
It contains the exclusive Lotus Lupine Peptide Complex and Hydra-shield Complex that provides superior full-spectrum sun protection and guard against damages caused by the sun.
Furthermore, its Hydra-Shield Complex gives an advanced and balanced UVA and UVB protection, with vitamin E and soy proteins to keep it soft and supple. It also contains white tea that helps soothe sensitive skin.
Co-author of “www.antiagingskincaremag.com”
I am glad to read good information and it helps a lot. I believe we really need to put some sunscreen to help our skin. I hope many people will become aware about the effects of the sun to our skin. This post helps a lot! Thanks.
You are correct that sunscreens are not created equal. We need to pay attention to the ingredients (chemicals) they contain. Yes, SPF 30 is not twice as protective as SPF 15. That doesn’t mean SPF 15 is “just as good” as SPF 30. Great post and comments!
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I think that we should be careful on choosing the sunscreen we are using for it has implication on our general health. We may not have sunburn, but we can acquire allergies and other diseases. Thank You for the useful information so that summer can be sure enjoying season of the year.
In these days the use of sunscreens is dramatically increase. I thing know people are conscious about skin care. One anther is reason is the environmental population which causes the damage of ozon layer.
Sunscreen not only protect your skin from harmful UV rays but also very useful the people suffering from pigmentation disorders like vitiligo as http://www.vitiligoguide.com/ mentioned in about the causes of vitiligo.
But take care about one thing that only use sunscreen made by authentic manufactureres because sunscreen made by toxic chemical is very dangerous for skin.