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Are the sunscreens you are using this summer safe?
Nine Surprising Facts About Sunscreens
Do you depend on sunscreen for skin protection? Millions of
Americans do, but they shouldn’t. Melanoma rates are increasing. The
consensus among scientists is that sunscreens alone cannot reverse this
trend. Yet a good sunscreen can play role in preventing sunburns that
are a major risk factor for melanoma – provided you use it correctly.
1. FDA’s sunscreen rules have changed but products haven’t improved.
The federal Food and Drug Administration put new sunscreen rules into
effect last December, but they have had little impact on the sunscreen
market and could actually make things worse for consumers. FDA’s rules
allow most sunscreens to claim they offer “broad spectrum” skin
protection and also that they can reduce skin cancer risk. However,
EWG’s assessment of 750 beach and sport sunscreens on the market this
year spotted significant problems.
2. There’s no proof that sunscreens prevent most skin cancer.
Rates of melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer – have
tripled over the past 35 years. Most scientists and public health
agencies – including the FDA itself – have found very little evidence
that sunscreen prevents most types of skin cancer.
3. Don’t be fooled by high SPF
High-SPF products tempt people to apply too little sunscreen and stay
in the sun too long. The FDA has proposed prohibiting the sale of
sunscreens with SPF values greater than 50+, calling higher SPF values
“inherently misleading,” but it has not issued a regulation that carries
the force of law. One in seven sunscreens advertises SPF values
greater than 50+, so get the most bang for your hard-earned buck.
4. The common sunscreen additive vitamin A may speed development of skin cancer.
The sunscreen industry adds a form of vitamin A to nearly one-quarter of all sunscreens.
Retinyl palmitate is an anti-oxidant that slows skin aging. But federal
studies indicate that it may speed the development of skin tumors and
lesions when applied to skin in the presence of sunlight. EWG
recommends that consumers avoid sunscreens, lip products and skin
lotions containing vitamin A, often labeled “retinyl palmitate” or
“retinol.”
5. European consumers can get better sunscreens.
European sunscreens offer superior protection from skin-damaging UVA
rays. In Europe, sunscreen makers can formulate their products with any
of seven chemicals that filter UVA rays. American manufacturers can use
only three UVA-filtering ingredients. They have been waiting seven
years for FDA approval to use Europe’s better filters. Until the FDA
approves these ingredients and lifts restrictions on combining certain
active ingredients, American consumers will be hard-pressed to find
sunscreens with the strongest level of UVA protection.
6. Sunscreen does not protect skin from all types of sun damage.
The sun’s ultraviolet radiation generates free radicals that damage
DNA and skin cells, accelerate skin aging and may cause skin cancer.
American sunscreens can reduce these damages, but not as effectively as
they prevent sunburn. Consumers can run into problems if they pick a
sunscreen with poor UVA protection, apply too little or reapply it
infrequently. The FDA should strengthen its regulations to ensure that
sunscreens offer better protection from skin damage.
7. Some sunscreen ingredients disrupt hormones and cause skin allergies.
The ideal sunscreen would completely block UV rays that cause
sunburn, immune suppression and damaging free radicals. It would remain
effective on the skin for several hours. It would not form harmful
ingredients when degraded by sunlight. It would smell and feel pleasant
so that people would use more of it. No sunscreen meets these goals. Americans must choose between
“chemical” sunscreens, which have inferior stability, penetrate the skin
and may disrupt the body’s hormone system, and “mineral” sunscreens,
made with zinc and titanium, often “micronized” or containing
nano-particles.
8. Mineral sunscreens contain nano-particles.
Most zinc oxide and titanium dioxide-based sunscreens contain
nano-particles a twentieth the width of a human hair. These help reduce
or eliminate the chalky white tint that these minerals used to leave on
the skin. Based on the available information, EWG gives a favorable
rating to mineral sunscreens, but the FDA should restrict the use of
unstable or UV-reactive forms of minerals that would lessen skin
protection.
9. If you avoid sun, check your vitamin D levels.
Sunshine serves a critical function in the body that sunscreen
appears to inhibit —
producing vitamin D. The hormone is enormously
important. It strengthens bones and the immune system and reduces the
risk of breast, colon, kidney and ovarian cancers, and perhaps other
disorders.
About one-fourth of Americans have borderline low levels of
vitamin D, and 8 percent have a serious deficiency. Breast-fed infants, people
with darker skin and people who have limited sun exposure are at
greatest risk. Many people can’t or shouldn’t rely on the sun for
vitamin D. Check with your doctor to see if you should get a vitamin D
test or take seasonal or year-round supplements.
Whatever you do, please avoid the ingredient oxybenzone.
Commonly used in sunscreens, the chemical oxybenzone penetrates the skin, gets into the bloodstream and acts like estrogen in the body. It can also trigger allergic reactions. Please take my advice and don't use any sunscreen with this ingredient.
Here's how to make your own:
Many common oils offer a natural source
of SPF protection without the harmful toxins. These include red
raspberry seed oil (SPF28-50), carrot seed oil (SPF38-40), wheat germ
oil (SPF20), soybean oil (SPF10), macadamia oil (SPF6), and jojoba oil
(SPF4). Other oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil, hempseed
oil, and shea butter offer low SPF protection but are still valuable additions in your
homemade sunscreen, as they are moisturizing and fragrant.
This recipe allows you to enjoy the sun without toxic chemicals.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce oil with SPF listed above (or any combination of them)
- 1 ounce coconut oil, cocoa butter, or shea butter
- 1 ounce beeswax (offers waterproof protection)
- 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oils
Directions
Combine
all ingredients in a glass jar. Fill a saucepan a couple inches high
with water and turn the heat to medium. Put a cap on the glass jar
without sealing it closed, and place the jar in the pan filled with
water. As the ingredients in the jar get warm and soften, mix until
completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room
temperature. Apply as a sunscreen throughout the summer.
