It seemed like we had a slow start to summer but now it is in full swing and with all this sun comes protection. Some of you might be in the generation of baby oil with iodine as a tanning lotion (don’t worry, I won’t call you out) but we know that continued sun exposure at a young age just causes more and more skin damage that may not show up until you are older! However, when you go to the store there are fifty different kinds of sunscreen with labels with different numbers of SPF, sport, baby and so on. Which one do you choose and why is this important? Sunscreens can have many toxic ingredients including HORMONE DISRUPTORS and/or cause harm to our environment! Why oh why would we do this to our kids let alone ourselves and environment!
READ ON to see 4 sunscreen tips and a way to see if your sunscreen is on the safe list….
- Choose a sunscreen without harmful additives:
The good news is more and more manufacturers are creating products that are healthier choices and also eliminating production of sunscreens that are not good for us. For example, oxybenzone has been known as a hormone disruptor and harmful to aquatic/marine ecosystems is on significant decline. According to EWG, in 2016 these were found in 70% of non-mineral sunscreens and now they are in only 9%! Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) sounds harmless right? However, research shows vitamin A can degrade in sunlight causing increased skin damage due to sun. These have taken a dive also from 41% in 2010 and now 2% (again according to EWG).
I want to make sure you are aware of an incredible organization called EWG (Environmental Working Group). They have a mission of identifying products that don’t meet a high safety standard not only for the US but for the European Union (EU) and Canada which in many people’s opinion have even higher standards. EWG has created a consumer guide with an EWG verified program which for a product to be verified it must meet the strict standards (including European Union and Canada standards) for health and efficacy.
I would encourage you to search for your favorite sunscreen and see if it is as good as you think it is. Head over to EWG at this link.
- Choose stick or cream based sunscreens:
Spray sunscreens are on the rise and they do raise several risks including uneven coverage due to wind but more importantly an inhalation risk. In 2021, 2022, and 2023 there were multiple recalls due to contamination of a carcinogen, benzene which really increased the concern over the inhalation risk.
- Apply sunscreen often:
The SPF ratings usually target UVB rays when used correctly and OFTEN. However, most do not cover the UVA rays which can cause deeper skin damage and aging. This is why frequent application is important to cover as much as possible. The higher the SPF the more coverage but it still needs to be applied often.
- Don’t forget shade can be a really good ally not only from the heat but from the sun!
Enjoy your summer and stay safe!
To your health,
Laura
