Yesterday I explained what sunscreen does and doesn’t do – including the fact that it doesn’t prevent skin cancer. Sadly, most sunscreens in the American market do expose people to toxins. (Part of this problem is due to a decision the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s made in 1978: they declined to set sunscreen safety standards. 1 Strangely enough, they have never tried to revisit setting any standards.)
In May, the Environmental Working Group released their 2011 Sunscreen Guide. After testing and ranking more than 600 sunscreens, only one in five sunscreens are safe enough to be recommended. And three in five U.S. sunscreens don’t meet European safety standards. 2
Consumers typically can choose from two kinds of sunscreens: “chemical” and “mineral.” Chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin while mineral sunscreens – usually made with zinc or titanium dioxide – remain on the skin’s surface. As long as the minerals aren’t nanoparticles (or micronized), mineral-based sunscreens are very safe. If you choose a chemical-based sunscreen, avoid retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone. Here’s why:
Retinyl palmitate
This spring, sunscreens made the news because of retinyl palmitate, an ingredient found in one-third of all sunscreens that slows skin’s aging. 3 As a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate is suspected to speed the development of skin tumors when applied in sunlight, like sunscreen usually is.
Oxybenzone
According to the Environmental Working Group, “scientists have called for parents to avoid using oxybenzone on children due to penetration and toxicity concerns.” As a hormone disruptor, oxybenzone is hazardous. The chemical’s also linked to low birth weight in babies. 4 Avoid oxybenzone and choose a sunscreen with avobenzone, instead.
What else to avoid
Aside from retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone, avoid sunscreens in a spray or powder form. With sprays and powders, you run the risk of inhaling particles of sunscreen. There’s also a greater chance that dangerous nanoparticles are included in sprays and powders. By applying a sunscreen cream, you don’t have to worry about inhalation – or nanoparticles. 5
What’s next?
Read Accidentally Green tomorrow to find out about acceptable, safe sunscreens. In the meantime, check out the Environmental Working Group’s 2011 Sunscreen Hall of Shame for the top products to avoid.
Sources
1. “Sunscreens exposed: 9 surprising truths.” Environmental Working Group.
2. “Sunscreens exposed.” Environmental Working Group.
3. “Sunscreens Exposed: 9 surprising truths.” Environmental Working Group.
4. “Top 10 Common Household Toxins.” Time.
5. “Top Sun Safety Tips.” Environmental Working Group.
Photo credit
Art By Katie Lane/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Thanks for the info! Just found your site.
I make my own sunscreen that I use on my little one as well. http://sweetroots.blogspot.com/2012/08/meadowfoam-sunscreen-diy.html