Does your Sunscreen Actually Work?
The Environmental Working Group’s investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 don’t provide protection and/or contain chemicals that may pose health hazards. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat and Neutrogena.
Many millions of cases of skin cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year. Yet due to huge legislative gaps, companies in many countries are free to claim – but not provide – broad spectrum protection.
Stay safe and keep your children safe by switching to the risk-free, organic alternative. The best sunscreens block both UVA and UVB radiation, remain stable in sunlight (a lack of stability means that UV radiation permeates the skin), and contain few if any ingredients with significant known or suspected health hazards, like oxybenzone or bezophenone-3.
Sunscreen Purchase Tip
- Buy at least 7% zinc oxide for broad spectrum protection.
- Avoid buying sunscreen with ingredients that include oxybenzone or bezophenone-3 – they are linked to allergies and hormone problems.
- Avoid tanning parlors: the UV radiation can be as much as 15 times that of the sun!
Top recommended products: UV Natural, Reflect Outdoor Balm.
Capability : Mom said,
May 13, 2011 @ 7:47 pm
My dermatologist has a great blog post on protecting yourself from the sun, bit.ly/kM4phs – including some non-sunscreen methods for keeping skin protected.
Madeline Krauss said,
June 27, 2011 @ 12:05 am
Suntegrity is a great new sunscreen that contains only zinc and titanium (physical, not chemical sun blocks) and avoids parabens as well as artificial preservatives such as formaldehyde releasers. Sun protective clothing and hats are particularly important as are umbrellas, and avoiding the peak sun hours between 10 and 2.