Testing Sunscreen: Tips for Safer Sunscreen Products

From newsletter - Toxic Nation E-News, published monthly by Environmental Defence, 317 Adelaide Street West, Suite 705 , Toronto , Ontario M5V 1P9 , tel (416) 323-9521, fax (416) 323-9301, email [email protected]/www.env...ntaldefence.ca
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Testing Sunscreen: Tips for Safer Sunscreen Products

The big names - Coppertone, Banana Boat and Neutrogena - don't do very well in the 2008 sunscreen rankings by the non-profit U.S.-based Environmental Working Group.

The group evaluated nearly 1,000 products by reviewing some 400 peer-reviewed studies of the 17 sunscreen chemicals approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. They found that only 85% of the products analyzed offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients that pose safety concerns. In assessing the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens, EWG looked at each product’s ability to block both UVA and UVB radiation, remain stable in sunlight, and contain minimal levels of chemicals that are known or suspected of posing a health hazard.

While this study was done in the U.S. the findings still apply in Canada. Many of the small big-name brands found in the U.S. stock store shelves north of the border.

A few helpful for the best sun protection this summer:

- Choose the SPF is 30 or higher, and a product made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Zinc and titanium have not been shown to absorb through skin, and they offer stable UVA protection.

- Avoid oxybenzone and fragrances (the former has been linked to developmental problems and other ailments; the latter can contain phthalates, a chemical that mimics hormones).

- Avoid sunscreen with bug repellant.

- Avoid powder and spray sunscreen products, as inhaling the chemicals is a concern.

- Seek out the shade, wear a hat and cover up. Also, try to avoid the intense midday sun

- Choose a product with an SPF of 30 or higher for good sun protection, and make sure it protects against UVA and UVB rays.

Also check out the rating scheme to find out where you sunscreen ranks.

Sunscreens have been on the news a lot this week. One show I watched tested all kinds..

They tried the most expensive to the cheapest and the highest protection against the lowest. (Wish I could remember what they said the best brands were but they were not the expensive brands.)

Quote:

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Avoid powder and spray sunscreen products, as inhaling the chemicals is a concern.

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They said the spray on ones do not give you good enough coverage, that it ends up thick in some spots, to thin in others.

Quote:

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Choose a product with an SPF of 30 or higher for good sun protection, and make sure it protects against UVA and UVB rays.

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They said anything over a spf of 45 is a waste of money, that most important was to make sure it had spf and uvb protection.