Know your sunscreen!

More than 1 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. This number has steadily increased over the past 10 years so sunscreen is more important than ever. Environmental Working Group’s recent Sunscreen Investigation found that of nearly 1,000 namebrand sunscreens, only 1 of 5 provided adequate protection from both UVA & UVB radiation with some ingredients linked to known or suspected health hazards. After 30 years of delay, the government has failed to set mandatory, comprehensive sunscreen safety standards to protect consumers’ health. In August 2007 FDA proposed first-ever UVA standards for sunscreen, but the rules have not yet been finalized or put into effect. In the meantime, companies are making misleading claims about product quality, and ineffective products crowd store shelves.


TOP 10 SUNSCREENS

1. Blue Lizard (anything without oxybenzone)
2. California Baby (anything with SPF 30+)
3. CVS with zinc oxide
4. Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas Mineral Based Sunblock
5. Kiss My Face “Paraben Free” series
6. Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock
7. Olay Defense Daily UV Moisturizer (with zinc)
8. SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense
9. Solar Sense Clear Zinc for Face
10. Walgreens Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears


READING THE LABELS

BUY
• SPF 30 or higher for best protection.
• At least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad spectrum protection.
New sunscreen every year.

AVOID
• Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3: skin absorption, allergies, hormone problems
• Spray and powder sunscreens: inhaling sunscreens can pose extra risks
• Fragrance: allergies, reproductive problems
• Sunscreen with added bug repellent: you can get too much of the pesticide in your body
• Coppertone, Neutrogena and Banana Boat: fewer than 5% of their products are recommended as safe and effective