My Dilemma with Sunscreen

This year has really become the “Great Awakening” for me.   I have a new awareness of the products I expose my family to and I have tried to be a more informed consumer.  Although this is definitely a learning process, I’ve tried adjusted my mind frame to be more conscious of the chemicals that are going into my children’s bodies.  One of my main dilemmas right now is sunscreen.  Being that we live in Southern California, have a pool, and frequent the beach, I’ve struggled to find a product that meets certain standards without breaking the bank.  So far, I have realized that no such products exist so the trick is to find a sunscreen that prevents more damage than it causes.

I recently discovered the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep website that pretty much confirmed all my worst fears about chemicals in sunscreen.  EWG rates each sunblock from 1 (safest) to 10 (high concern) based on the ingredient list.  EWG takes the evaluation one step further and also individually rates each ingredient in the product.  I’m almost embarrassed to share the scores of the sunscreens I used on my family last year.  Before I go into specific sunscreens, here is a summary of what EWG has found in regards to sunscreen.

• There are no real studies that shows evidence that sunscreen prevents skin cancer.  Sunscreen should be your back-up defense when in the sun, second to shade, long clothing, etc.
• Some evidence shows an increase in melanoma with the use of sunscreen.  Part of this could be that the majority of sunscreens on the market are of poor quality and dont defend against UVA rays effectively.
• Higher SPFs are misleading and dangerous.  Don’t be fooled by the higher SPF numbers because there’s no proof that it works any better.  The danger in these sunscreens is that people think they are safer in the sun longer.
• Vitamin A, also known as Retinyl Palmitate, can increase the development of cancer when in contact with the sun.  Retinyl Palmitate is present in a great majority of sunscreens.
• A lot of the common ingredients in sunscreen can generate free radicals that damage skin cells, speed aging, and cause skin cancer.  Chemicals in many sunscreens can disrupt hormones in the body as it penetrates and is absorbed into the skin.
• Too little sun exposure and blocking out sun with sunscreen can be harmful because it inhibits the production of Vitamin D.  The sun is our main source of Vitamin D, which is necessary for our bones, immune system, and reducing the risk of various types of cancer (including breast, colon, kidney and ovarian cancers).  It is recommended that we get 10-15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure a few times a week.

With that said, let me share with you the sunscreens I often had in my beach bag.  I chose these particular products for different reasons.  The Neutrogena Wet Skin Spray had a great marketing campaign that caught my attention.  How cool would it be to apply sunscreen without having to dry your skin?  The Aveeno Active Naturals sunblock was one  that I purchased regularly.  It is a brand that I trust because a dermatologist recommended it to me a long time ago when I suffered from skin allergies.  The last brand I purchased was the Coppertone Water Babies sunscreen because of its low cost and familiar brand.  Here are their ratings:

Neutrogena Wet Skin Kid’s Beach & Pool sunblock Spray, SPF 70
Overall Score: 7
Health Concerns:

 

• OXYBENZONE (8): Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes, Use restrictions
• RETINYL PALMITATE (8): Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes, Use restrictions
• FRAGRANCE (8): Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous

 

Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock Body, SPF 85
Overall Score: 7
Health Concerns:

• OXYBENZONE (8): Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes, Use restrictions
• TRIETHANOLAMINE (5): Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (), Use restrictions
• ETHYLENE GLYCOL (4): Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (), Occupational hazards
• METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE (6): Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Use restrictions

Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen, SPF 50
Overall Score: 5
Health Concerns:

• OXYBENZONE (8): Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes, Use restrictions
• ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE (9): Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (), Use restrictions
• BENZYL ALCOHOL (6): Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards, Use restrictions
• METHYLPARABEN (5): Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes
• PROPYLPARABEN (5): Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology

So a couple weeks ago, I decided to get some sunblock before we headed to the beach and thought it would be smart to check our local health food store for better options.  At this point, I was aware that most sunscreens had harmful chemicals but I hadn’t seen the Environmental Working Group website yet and didn’t do much research into which ingredients were bad.  I made the assumption that a health food store would carry more natural sunblocks that would be safer for my family.  This might be a common misconception for many people, which is why I’m sharing this story with you.  So I walked away with Alba Bontanic Natural Hawaiian Sunscreen, which I chose based on consistency, fragrance, and cost.  There was my mistake…I should have known that a “healthier” sunscreen doesn’t necessarily go on smooth & clear and they shouldn’t smell like Hawaiian Tropics.  Turns out this sunblock has a rating of 6 on EWG’s website.  Lesson learned!

Based on Environmental Working Group’s studies, mineral sunscreen seem to be the most effective protection but there are none on the market that are 100% safe.  I’m still testing sunscreens to see which one I like the best and I will keep you posted.  It’s important to be conscious of the chemicals that you are exposing your kids to but also find a product that fits in your budget.  Like everything in life, it’s a balancing act to find what works for your family.

Here are a few sunscreens that I will be trying next & are rated well (1).
         

If you’d like to rate your sunscreen or find a new product, please check out these websites.

http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

http://safemama.com/cheatsheets/sunscreen/

Tagged as: aveeno, Coppertone, Environmental Working Group, mineral sunblock, mineral sunscreen, neutrogena Wet Skin, Oxybenzone, Retinyl Palmitate, Safe Mama, skin cancer, skin deep, sunblock ratings, sunscreen, sunscreen ratings