10 Top Sun Screens (That DON'T Harm Your Skin!)

From Environmental Working Group…

Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Sunscreen Investigation found that of nearly 1,000 name- brand sunscreens, only 1 of 5 provided adequate protection from both UVA & UVB radiation with few ingredients linked to known or suspected health hazards.

After 30 years of delay, the government has failed to set mandatory, comprehensive sunscreen safety standards to protect consumers’ health. In August 2007 FDA proposed first-ever UVA standards for sunscreen, but the rules are not yet final. In the meantime, companies are making misleading claims about product quality, and ineffective products crowd store shelves.

Does your sunscreen work? An investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that 4 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don’t adequately protect skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.

More than a million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, but FDA still hasn’t finalized sunscreen standards first announced 30 years ago. Companies are free to claim but not provide broad spectrum protection. Until FDA requires that all sunscreens be safe and effective, Environmental Working Group’s comprehensive sunscreen guide—including a list of 143 products that offer very good sun protection—fills in the gaps.

1.    Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock, SPF 30    0
2.    Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, SPF 30+    0
3.    California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+    0
4.    Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30    0
5.    Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum    1
6.    Lavera Sunscreen Neutral, SPF 40    1
7.    Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 35    1
8.    UV Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+    1
9.    Sun Science Sport Formula, SPF 30    1
10.    Soleo Organics Sunscreen all natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

0-2 = Low Hazard

BUYER’S GUIDE:

• Use SPF 30 or higher for best protection.
• At least use 7%  zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad spectrum protection

AVOID:

• Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3: skin absorption, allergies, hormone problems
• Spray and powder sunscreens: inhaling sunscreens can pose extra risks
• Fragrance: allergies, reproductive problems
• Sunscreen with added bug repellent: you can get too much of the pesticide in your body
• Coppertone, Neutragena and Banana Boat: fewer than 5% of their products are recommended safe and effective