Don’t get ‘burned’ by phony sunscreen claims this summer!
Happy Fourth of July!
I hope you’ll have some time today to reflect on all the freedoms we enjoy — and maybe even hit the beach or fire up the grill with some friends.
And if you’re like a lot of people, a day spent outside this time of year will have you grabbing for the sunscreen.
But which kind should you choose? Stores are overflowing with different brands, SPF numbers, and claims galore — and it can get confusing fast.
But luckily, the Environmental Working Group has been busy screening sunscreens and weeding out the good from the bad (and even the dangerous).
It might surprise you to learn that it’s the FDA’s job to oversee sunscreens — and the claims they make about offering protection from a burn.
Unfortunately, they’ve dropped the ball big time. Shocking, right?
Stores are flooded with sunscreens that don’t work very well, lie about how well they protect you, and contain dangerous chemicals. Some brands even have ingredients that can actually promote skin cancer.
For example, the EWG found that a whopping 70 percent of the “non-mineral” sunscreens (mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which the group typically gives high marks to) use oxybenzone, which can produce abnormal hormonal changes, especially in children.
Then there’s retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A that a study by government scientists found can actually form free radicals. That can speed up the growth of skin cancers — the very thing that sunscreen is supposed to prevent!
Despite the risks from this ingredient, it can still be found in around 16 percent of sunscreen products.
Sunscreens sprays are another example of a potentially serious health hazard. They can be inhaled, either deliberately or by accident, and may not cover the skin evenly. In fact, these sprays can be so dangerous that the FDA said it was thinking of banning them — one of these years!
On top of all that, ridiculously high SPF numbers are often misleading.
The problem is that higher doesn’t mean better — an SPF in the range of 30 to 50 is what you want. And remember, the SPF only protects you against UVB rays that cause sunburn, not UVA rays that cause deep skin damage. In order to get UVA protection, you need a sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum.”
Besides switching to a better sunscreen, here are some of the other ways you can maximize your sun protection while getting the most benefit from those rays:
- Spend up to 20 minutes a day in the sun without any sunscreen on. Direct sunlight is considered the best way to get vitamin D, which can help both your immunity and your sense of well-being.
- After you’ve upped your vitamin D, try to avoid unnecessary sun exposure. Whenever possible, cover up with a hat, long sleeves and long pants or a skirt.
- If you have to spend more than a couple hours in the sun, re-apply your sunscreen, as its effectiveness wears out during that time.
Check out the EWG’s 2016 report on sunscreens and see what brands it recommends here.
Sources:
“EWG’s 10the annual guide to sunscreens” Environmental Working Group, ewg.org
