Is your sunscreen safe? 86% in the market are not!
Sunday, April 13, 2008 | Labels: children, mommy-must-know, safety, sun safety, sunscreens | |
Beach season is here!
It's that time of the year again! Time to really think about SUNSCREEN. Shocking news is that most sun lotions in the market contain chemicals, which are bad for you and your family, the good news is that I have a list of twenty products right here for you, and you can check how your sunscreen measures up.
Read more about the safety concerns and sun lotions, and then see is your sun lotion on the safe side - if not, consider changing, you can never be too safe, right?
I read a very interesting article (CDC Finds 97 Percent of Americans Contaminated by Sunscreens) at Natural News this morning. The article was written by Ellen Holder, co-founder of Caren, an online store for natural, organic and synthetic chemical free skin care products. One sentence in particular crabbed my attention "And interestingly, as sunscreen sales have risen, so has the rate of skin cancers."
What? Shouldn't sunscreen protect us from skin cancer?
Obvioulsy not.
According to The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) recent study nearly all Americans are contaminated with with oxybenzone, a common ingredient in sunscreens. Environmental Working Group (EWG) identifies nearly 600 sunscreens sold in the U.S. that contain oxybenzone, including household brand names like Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat. Oxybenzone has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. Oxybenzone was also recently linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy, according to a study from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
What? Shouldn't Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protect us from harmful chemicals like this?
Obviously not.
The fact is that FDA last reviewed the safety of oxybenzone in the 1970s. At present, there aren't any health-based standards for safe levels of oxybenzone in the body. Europe, Canada and Australia changed sunscreen regulations in 1997 though, and oxybenzone was banned and three other specific active sunscreen ingredients - avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide - were recommended as the basis of sunscreens.
Doesn't this make you wonder, why in the USA, the cosmetic companies are still using the chemicals banned in other countries?
EWG’s research shows that some sunscreens on the U.S. market:
- offer inadequate protection from the sun;
- may be less safe and effective than products offered in other countries;
- are labeled with misleading product claims;
- contain ingredients with significant safety concerns.
I had to investigate more and find out is there a way to be outdoors safely, with or without sun screen. On the bottom of this post I also gathered twenty sunscreens and their active ingredients. There are several safe ones to choose from!
There are also natural ways to protect yourself from sun, like adding more Vitamin D in your diet, or increasing your melanin production. Read more.
Keep also in mind other Sun Safety issues, like wearing a hat and sunglasses and read Sun Facts from Skin Cancer Foundation.
HOW DOES SUNBLOCK WORK?
Let's get the terminology right first.
Sunscreen is a product with an SPF of 2 and higher.
SPF means Sun Protection Factor.
Sunblock is a barrier between your skin and sun, and there can be two kinds of barriers: physical and chemical. Products higher than SPF 12 are sunblock. Most products are mixtures of physical and chemical barriers.
Difference between physical and chemical barriers:
PHYSICAL BARRIER:
Physical barrier is not absobed by your skin, it just sits on the skin's surface. Light is either absorbed into the sunblock material or reflected away from the body back into the atmosphere similar to a mirror or tin foil. Physical protectors, such as zinc oxide, reflect UVA rays.
Physical sunblock ingredients
(UVA and UVB protection, non-irritating, non-allergenic)
ZINC OXIDE:
Recognized as a mild antimicrobial, wound healing and sunscreen agent. Primarily absorbs UVA light rather than scattering or reflecting, non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and micronized by forming many small micro particles for cosmetic use.
TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
Derived from Titanium, a highly reflective white chalky mineral, non-irritating, non-comedogenic, micronized by forming many small micro particles for cosmetic use, listed in the FDA monograph as one the top and most effective active ingredients for sun protection.
CHEMICAL BARRIER:
A chemical barrier has the ability to be absorbed by the skin, sunlight is invalid upon contact. Most chemical protectors absorb UVB rays. Meaning: the chemicals absorb the UVB rays, so your skin does not do it. None of the chemicals absord the whole spectrum of of UV rays (like physical barriers do), so several different chemicals are needed to make a protective chemical barrier.
Chemical sunblock ingredients
There are total of almost twenty different chemicals used in sunscreens. The problem with these chemicals: your skin absorbs them, and the chemical itself can be harmful for you.
OXYBENZONE and OCTINOXATE
Why they are so popular:
Not just blocking the UVA rays by reflecting them, but they are also penetration enhancers, chemicals that help other chemicals penetrate the skin better. It makes all those other chemicals in the sunscreen to work better.
Both are linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, can harm skin in the cell level, which can lead to several health problems, which are not widely researched yet. Oxybenzone is also linked to cancer and harming the immunesystem.
AVOBENZONE, also known as also known as Parsol 1789
Avobenzone absorbs UVA rays. Recommended in Europe, but there are some safety concerns about its safety too.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SUNBLOCK FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
Thre are over 900 sun lotions in the market in the United States at the moment, and 86% them offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain chemicals which are harmful for you and your family. Seems like a mission impossible to try to find a sun lotion, which protects and fits in with your family's needs. Luckily there are safe products, and I have the list of twenty sun lotions right here for you. Many of them are well-known brands you should not use anymore and plenty of great safe choices.
EWG investigated the sun lotions, and this is just a recap of their results.
LIST OF POPULAR SUNSCREENS AND THEIR ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
This list is also known as "DON'T BUY THESE SUN LOTIONS"
Alarming in these lotions: many of them are marketed for children, many have "Dermatologist recommended" text on the side of the bottle, many say "for sensitive skin" and "organic ingredients".
Don not let these marketing pitches fool you.
Avon SKIN SO SOFT BUG GUARD PLUS IR3535® Gentle Breeze SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion :
Octinoxate 7.5%
Oxybenzone 6.0%
Octisalate 5.0%
Alba Organic Lavender Sunscreen SPF 30
Octocrylene 10.0%,
Octinoxate 7.5%,
Oxybenzone 6.0%,
Octisalate 5.0%
Lubriderm Daily Moisturizer Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 15:
Octinoxate 7.5%
Octisalate 4%
Oxybenzone 3%
Neutrogena Sunblock, Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55:
Avobenzone 3%
Homosalate 10%
Octisalate 5%
Octocrylene 2.8%
Oxybenzone 6%
Mary Kay SPF 30 Sunscreen:
Homosalate 10%
Octinoxate 7.5%
Octisalate 5%
Oxybenzone 4%
Avobenzone 2%
(And recommended by American Skin Cancer Foundation, unbelievable!)
Aveeno Baby Sunblock Lotion, Continuous Protection, SPF 55:
Avobenzone
Homosalate
Octisalate
Octocrylene
Oxybenzone
(This one: Pediatrician recommended)
Banana Boat Boat Baby Sunblock, Tear Free SPF 50
Homosalate 15%
Octinoxate 7.5%
Octisalate 5%
Titanium Dioxide 2.4%
Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces & Tender Places Sunblock 60+ SP:
Octocrylene
Oxybenzone
Avobenzone (Parsol 1789)
CHOOSE FROM THESE SUN LOTIONS
GOOD LOTIONS:
Arbonne Save Face & Body, SPF 15:
Avobenzone
PRICE: $26.00
Supergoop! Sunlotion:
Avobenzone (Parsol 1789)
Octinoxate
Octisalate
Octocrylene
Padimate O
PRICE: $6.50 (small tube)
BETTER LOTIONS:
Baby Blanket Sunscreen for Babies SPF 50+
Ethylhexyl P-Methoxycinnamate
2 Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Titanium Dioxide
Octisalate 5%
PRICE: $8.99
Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen with Mexoryl, SPF 15:
Avobenzone
Ecamsule
Octocrylene
PRICE: $28.49
BEST LOTIONS:
California Baby Water Resistant, Hypo-Allergenic Sunscreen, SPF 30+:
Micronized Titanium Dioxide
PRICE: $18.09
TruKid Sunny Days™ SPF 30+ Natural Mineral Sunscreen:
Titanium dioxide 10%
PRICE: $14.00
Vanicream Sunscreen, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30
Titanium Dioxide 5%
Zinc Oxide 5%
PRICE: $14.95
Blue Lizard Sun lotion SPF 30 for Baby:
Titanium Dioxide 5%
Zinc Oxide 10%
PRICE: $12.99
Keys Solar Rx:
Nano Zinc Oxide
PRICE: $26.95
Badger Broad Spectrum UVA-UVB Protection:
Zinc Oxide 20.5%
PRICE: $16.00
Jason Natural Cosmetics Sun Care Mineral Based Physical Sunblock (SPF 30+) Sunbrellas 4 oz.:
Titanium Dioxide 8.0%
Zinc Oxide 2.5%
PRICE: $14.00
Clarins Sun Care Cream For Children SPF 30:
Titanium Dioxide
PRICE: $29.00
WANT TO PROTECT MORE FROM CHEMICALS IN PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS?
THIS LIST IS "TOXIC BAD GUYS"
made by TruKid Natural Skin Care Company.
The following ingredients have been linked to one or more of the following: cancer, neuro-damage, and developmental/reproductive toxicity. It's a great idea to even print it out - who can remember these chemical names anyway!
(NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER.)
1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - Can be found in 90% of products that lather.
2. Avobenzone - Can be found in sunscreen.
3. PABA and PABA esters - Can be found in lipstick; products with SPF; lip balm; skin fading/lightener; conditioner; facial moisturizer/treatment; moisturizer; styling gel/lotion.
4. Cinnamates, also seen as Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) - Can be found in sunscreen.
5. Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine - Can be found in foundation; sunscreen SPF 15 and above; hair color and bleaching; moisturizer.
6. Paraben preservatives (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, Ethyl, Isobutyl) - Can be found in facial moisturizer/treatment; anti-aging moisturizer; facial cleanser, sunscreen SPF 15 and above; conditioner; eye shadow; hair color and bleaching; foundation; shampoo.
7. Polyethylene glycol (also listed as PEG) - Can be found in facial moisturizer or treatment; hair color and bleaching; anti-aging moisturizer; facial cleanser; conditioner; shampoo; styling gel/lotion; body wash/cleanser; antiperspirant/deodorant.
8. Phthalates (listed under fragrance) - Can be found in most products in the fragrance.
9. Benzophone, more commonly known as Oxybenzone - Can be found in sunscreen.
10. Formaldehyde derivatives - can be found in nail polish
References:
CDC: Americans Carry Body Burden of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical, at EWG.
Oxybenzone, at 3Dchem.com
Sunblocks at 911skin.com
Sunscreen Summary — What Works and What's Safe
Sphere: Related Content
Stumble It!
Mary Kay is only recommended by the skin cancer foundation cuz they are HUGE contributors. $$$ talks.
Great research, just to add to the convo, my mominlaw sends us Ombrelle from L'oreal in Canada. It contains Mexoryl which does not have FDA approval which is the need to import.
Awesome post! I Stumbled it for ya!
Thanks for this list. I found my Alba from Whole Foods in the NO list. I will pay more attention.
Great Article!! WOW!
ACK! I'm so happy you did all this research!
Stumbled of course!
Thanks for the great article and all the research. I'll be checking this post again when I need to buy more sunscreen.
Katja, so much great information here. You did a great research on the topic, and made easier for the rest of us: I am just going to copy the list of good sunscreens when I go shopping for one! Thank You!
Anna
Great, really comprehensive list. Thanks a lot. I know now what to get when we come to Colorado in June!
Katja:
Great research and so well written. I have printed this out to take with me when I go sunscreen shopping.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for the article and resources. I wrote my own little blurb in my blog and included your link.
Jessica
www.practicalnourishment.com
I love the Arbonne sunscreen. I can't stand that icky sticky feeling and Arbonne's isn't like that at all. Your skin can still breath.
Hi,
Made a reference to your post on my personal blog.
@happygirl08
I bought Soleo after reading the Natural News article by Ellen Holder. Love it. Use it on myself and my kids. And we live in sunny AZ where the sun shines 362 days a year.
This is so helpful! My 6-month-old has my light red hair and his dad's blue eyes, so he's basically melanoma waiting to happen. We've already got the California Baby sunscreen on hand - I'm glad we picked that one. I'm also a big fan of the UPF clothing and picked up the Patagonia Sunshade top and a few SPF hats. I figure you can never have too much sun protection.
Sources? If "they" want us to wear sunscreen and apply it upwords of two times a day, they need to make it more affordable. Some people can't afford gas, or food, and yet we have to feel bad about buying the only sunscreen we can afford? Where are your sources? REAL sources. Money DOES talk. People LIE all the time, especially companies.
They will say what they want to get you to buy their product, especially well-meaning parents who just want to protect their children. We worry too much about everything now....it's not enough to eat right, be active, and wear sunscreen, we have to eat "organic" , work out for hours and wear the priciest sunscreen out there. Who's fault is it? Corporate America.
And now we have you, giving impressionable mothers a scare about sunscreen. There's too much out there to be afraid of now. We need to stop telling lies based on who's backing who and what company funds a cancer site, and what brand is most advertised. We need to feel good about something now a days. Don't believe everything you hear. I may be 22 years old, but I know better. Don't believe everything you read, hear, or see. Companies lie and make things sound scarier than they are...it's wrong and I just wish I could hear the truth from a real source.
Why can't I wear my No-Ad? Or CVS sunscreen? Chemicals? They've been around all our lives and we're all okay.
Parents now are so afraid of allergies, germs and chemicals they make their kids so much sicker. Stop crushing their immune systems and let them play in the dirt already!
PS- The vast majority of the chemical that is absorbed into the skin (which is a small amount and is not considered to be even halfway to toxic levels if the sunscreen is applied with the directions) is filtered out by the kidneys.
What people dont want to tell you is many chemicals absorbed through the skin is in such tiny amounts it would take hundreds of applications a day over the course of months to do any mild damage
Again, don't believe everything you read. People like to scare you into buying their product.
My response is to the person above, the 22 year old. No offense, but I work in cancer and other medical research and I don't agree with your statement. I understand that we all have a right to free speech. My opinion is that we should be more aware of the chemicals that we put on and in our bodies. Cancer and other cell mutations are caused by genetic or environmental pressures (chemicals, etc). PEG and paraformaldehydes are chemicals commonly used in the laboratory that are not healthy for you. Formaldehydes are carcinogenic and are used as a preservative. BTW the liver and kidneys are involved in the detoxification of the body. Toxins are removed from the blood, so the toxins must pass through the cells and then get into your blood stream, so if there are mutations occuring at the cellular level how are your kidneys going to remove those toxins? I appreciate the original poster for doing her research and informing us so we don't have to do all the leg work to find healthy products. I don't appreciate posters that don't make the effort to be informed before making assumptions and decisions. Our poor education in the school systems and the lack of care to learn about the human body has put us in a vulnerable position. Knowledge is power. I suggest that we all take the time to learn about how our body functions and what chemicals are carcinogenic so we can avoid them.
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I linked to your great post from my website:
librarycollective.gmail.com
Thanks!
I'm confused - The Baby Blanket Sunblock lotion has 6% oxybenzone. The label on the bottle I have says this and so does the link on your website.
The Environmental Working Group gives good scores to the Aveeno baby suncreens you mention NOT to use here. So I'm confused.
http://tinyurl.com/4bsgaf
You right too often skincare products can contain unnecessary ingredients such as colors or fragrance.
But most people don't know to look out for harsh preservatives, like parabens, which can trigger an eczema flare-up.
I found another really useful site that lets you compare the ingredients of several leading brands, its from a company called exederm
Exederm make ultra hypoallergenic skin care products for adults and kids with eczema or dermatitis
Eczema Help
The importance of keeping your skin healthy can't be overemphasized. It's the body's first defense against disease and infection, and it protects your internal organs from injuries. It is, in fact, the largest organ in the body. Skin Care Treatment helps to your body temperature and prevents excess fluid loss, and it also helps your body remove excess water and salt. Most women strive to keep their skin looking youthful. http://skin-care-treatment-natural-tips.blogspot.com
The importance of keeping your skin healthy can't be overemphasized. It's the body's first defense against disease and infection, and it protects your internal organs from injuries. It is, in fact, the largest organ in the body. Skin Care Treatment helps to your body temperature and prevents excess fluid loss, and it also helps your body remove excess water and salt. Most women strive to keep their skin looking youthful. http://skin-care-treatment-natural-tips.blogspot.com
As we catch hold of age, our skin slowly loses its moisture and elasticity, making our complexion look dull and blister. Every age brings along it's own problems and some effective skin treatments as mentioned below can fight with these problems at different stages of your life. Acne Anti Aging Skin Care http://www.acne-anti-aging-skin-care.blogspot.com.
This is the fine info about the sunscreen. Sunsreen is the very useful for skin care and protact us from many skin disease like lupus, vitiligo, and skin cancer ets. People suffering from Vitiligo use it for sunburn.
I thing all the products you listed are fine. but I like Alba Organic Lavender Sunscreen because of its effectiveness.