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Summer's here: What are you doing to protect your skin?
Bad news, though, that so few sunscreens rate well. Thinking it's going to be the year of the hat and shirted beach play - along with a little planning to take cover from the sun's most potent mid-day rays.
You see, EWG's 4th annual Sunscreen Guide gives low marks to the current crop of sunscreen products, with (thankfully) a few notable exceptions. EWG researchers recommend only 39, or 8 percent, of 500 beach and sport sunscreens on the market this season.
Why so few recommendations?
In all, EWG researchers assessed 1,400 sunscreen products, including beach and sports lotions, sprays and creams, moisturizers, make-up and lip balms. The 39 top beach and sports products that earned EWG's "green" rating all contain the minerals zinc or titanium. EWG researchers were unable find any non-mineral sunscreens that scored better than "yellow."
There are several reasons EWG recommends so few sunscreens this year. A surge in exaggerated SPF (Sun Protection Factor) claims (50+ SPFs) and recent developments in understanding the possible hazards of some sunscreen ingredients, in particular, new government data linking a form of vitamin A used in sunscreens to accelerated growth of skin tumors and lesions.
EWG has again flagged products with oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting compound that penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream. Biomonitoring surveys conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have detected oxybenzone in the bodies of 97 percent of Americans tested.
Industry's lackluster performance and the federal Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) failure to issue regulations for sunscreens lead EWG to warn consumers not to depend on any sunscreen for primary protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Hats, clothing and shade are still the most reliable sun protection available.
What's wrong with high SPF??
Products with high SPF ratings sell a false sense of security because most people using them stay out in the sun longer, still get burned (which increases risk of skin cancer) and subject their skin to large amounts of UVA radiation, the type of sunlight that does not burn but is believed responsible for considerable skin damage and cancer. High SPF products, which protect against sunburn, often provide very little protection against UVA radiation.
Also, most people don't get the high SPF they pay for: people apply about a quarter of the recommended amount. In everyday practice, a product labeled SPF 100 really performs like SPF 3.2, an SPF 30 rating equates to a 2.3 and an SPF 15 translates to 2. EWG Senior VP for Research Jane Houlihan likens it to snake oil sales:
"Many sunscreens available in the U.S. may be the equivalent of modern-day snake oil, plying customers with claims of broad-spectrum protection but not providing it, while exposing people to potentially hazardous chemicals that can penetrate the skin into the body.When only 8 percent of sunscreens rate high for safety and efficacy, it's clear that consumers concerned about protecting themselves and their families are left with few good options."
And now, a new concern: Vitamin A
This year, new concerns are being raised about a vitamin A compound called retinyl palmitate, found in 41 percent of sunscreens. The FDA is investigating whether this chemical, when applied to skin that is then exposed to sunlight, may accelerate skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk.
FDA data suggest that vitamin A may be photo- carcinogenic, meaning that in the presence of the sun's ultraviolet rays, the compound and skin undergo complex biochemical changes resulting in cancer. The evidence against vitamin A is not conclusive, but as long as it is suspect, EWG recommends that consumers choose vitamin A-free sunscreens.
The FDA is taking t-o-o long to protect us
Some blame falls on the FDA, which has yet to finalize regulations for sunscreens promised since 1978. FDA officials estimate that the regulations may be issued next October - but even then, they are expected to give manufacturers at least a year, and possibly longer, to comply with the new rules. That means the first federally regulated sunscreens won't go on store shelves before the summer of 2012. Houlihan gives some startling context:
"Both world wars, the creation of Medicare and the planning and execution of the moon landing combined took less time to achieve than FDA's promised sunscreen regulations.Meanwhile, more than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. This could be the poster child for government inaction."
Protect yourself this summer. Here's how:
- Download our 1-page sun safety tip sheet, and
- Search our database to find the best sunscreen for your family - when you can't cover up or take the best cover - in the shade.
I find it odd that Neurtogena Ultra Sheer Dry touch sunblck SPF 30 was rated as poor considering the label says it is the #1 Dermatologist recommended suncare lotion AND has received the American Cancer Society Seal of Approval. What gives?
Lisa-
I was just thinking about the safety of the sunscreen I'm using. Last night while out for a run with a friend, he commented upon meeting me- you smell like chemicals! It's terrible that I'm trying to prevent skin cancer and might be contributing to it by slathering on bad sunscreens!
I'll be sharing this with the readers of Maria's Farm Country Kitchen. It's just another way need to be aware and make conscious decisions and purchases to guarantee our health and safety!
Greetings!
I own/operate a skin care business whereby I specialize in organic products for children and adults. We have sun defence minerals for the face and a spf 30 lotion for the body. I understand from your site that you do not recommend mineral powders for sun defence - however I would appreciate your comment on the body lotion. It can be found at the above URL link however the ingredient list is not posted. I have included it here:
Eminence Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream SPF 32 - Tilia cordata flower water, caprylic/capric triglyceride, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, cetearyl alcohol & sodium cetearyl sulfate, zinc oxide, vegetable glycerin, shea butter, aloe juice, corn germ oil, naturally-derived glyceryl stearate, hydrolyzed wheat protein, sorbitol, vegetable lysine, plant-based diglycerin, lactic acid, sodium PCA, glycine derivitive, corn-derived methyl glucose sequistearate, xanathan gum, caprylyl glycol, vanilla planifora fruit extract, ascorbyl palmitate (Vitamin C Ester), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), lecithin.
I would love to hear your comments about this product.
Regards,
Brenda
Millions of people use Avon Products. I use the sunscreen, moisturizer with sunscreen lip gloss with sunscreen. Good, bad or indifferent?
Have also been using Nutrogena, but not feeling very protected. Now I know why. Thank-you for the important information.
Nora
National Geographic Green Guide suggests that the Zinc Oxide ointment found in drugstores is the greenest sunscreen product and the cheapest. What are the pros and cons.
Thanks
Vern
To Lisa Frack and EWG,
Lisa I see you live in Portland, OR. So do I. I have emailed and called the DC EWG office to let you all know in Portland you cannot find the "best" sunscreens listed; All Terrain sport sunscreens spf 30, or Jason Mineral Based spf 30 with the formulas listed on the EWG site. The All Terain had the formula listed 32 or 3 formulas ago. I found 1 tube at West Linn Market of Choice that expired in March 2010. All other tubes there contained Oxybenzone. Also all newstock at Moutntain Park New seasons. I called All Terran and was told the newest formula didnot contain Oxybenzone but it wasn't up to them to get it out but in the hands of distruibutors. They also promote a "oxybenzone free" spray sunblock on their website but do not mention a free cream version. This company should be on your SHAME list as #1!!! Now Jason did have the formula listed on EWG but it is the old formula now replaced by a much larger amout of Zinc Oxide. This is listed as an ingredient that has cause of concern so that seems to me to be a less is better situation. Therefore why is this one not a shame issue as well. If the companies cannot keep EWG up to date then they should not be on your "best" lists! I want to know HOW to get real truthful information. Pleas help!!!
I use Shaklee's enfuselle but I didn not see it on your list. I believe it is a very good product but it is hard to do a comparison. Will you ever go back and pick up some of the products you didnt test?
I use Burnout, which has a whopping 18% zinc oxide yet is not the thick, white paste like Badgers. It applies easily although tt does leave skin a bit sticky but no fragrance and a safe product. Why is this brand not on the list? It's available at Whole Foods or online.
Looking through the list have not found L'Oreal Ombrelle 60. This was recommended by dermatologist - any stats on this sun screen? Thank you.
I read the EWG's research on sunscreens and recommendations. I am particularly concerned about the research that shows that vitamin a is a carcinogen, since it often added to sunscreens or naturally found in oils that are used in natural plant-based sunscreens. For example, I was doing research on making my own sunscreen and I saw that red raspberry seed oil had a SPF, and avocado oil also helped block the sun but upon further research I see that they are both naturally high in Vitamin A. Does anyone know if that means that all of these oils and butters that naturally also have vitamin a should not be used in the sun?