If you found this article through a search engine, you might be interested in reading the updated version, Safe & Effective Sunscreens 2010.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could trust sunscreen labels? It turns out the one I’ve been using on my children rates a 7 for health hazards in Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database (7 is bad). Not only that, it’s not nearly as effective as I thought at blocking the sun’s rays. Here’s what I’ve recently learned from EWG’s sunscreen study: “In a new investigation of 1,095 name-brand sunscreens, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 4 out of 5 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Leading brands were the worst offenders: None of market leader Coppertone’s 47 sunscreen products met EWG’s criteria for safety and effectiveness, and only 1 of 115 products from Banana Boat and Neutrogena, the second- and third-largest manufacturers, are recommended by EWG.”
Below are the primary issues, according to EWG’s study:
◊ Only 14% of 1,095 products analyzed met EWG’s criteria for safety and effectiveness.
◊ Many products lack UVA protection.
◊ Sunscreens break down in the sun.
◊ Questionable product claims are widespread.
◊ Many sunscreens contain nano-scale ingredients that raise potential concerns.
◊ The U.S. lags behind other countries when it comes to products that work and are safe.
◊ Some sunscreens absorb into the blood and raise safety concerns.
Fortunately, there’s some good news. EWG identified 158 sunscreen products that are “recommended.” The top picks, that should be readily available in stores, are listed below.
Based on a scale of 0-10, where 0-2 are considered “low hazard.”
0 California Baby Sunblock Stick Everyday/Year-Round SPF 30+
1 California Baby Sunblock Lotion SPF 30+ (Everyday/Year-Round Lotion & Natural Bug Blend)
1 Badger Sunscreen SPF 30
2 Walgreen’s Sunblock w/Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears SPF 45+
2 CVS Sunscreen w/Zinc Oxide SPF 45+
2 Trader Joe’s Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+
2 No-Ad Ultra Sunblock Lotion SPF 60
2 Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30+ (Face & Regular)
2 Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30
For more information, EWG has a handy one page printable guide [PDF] that includes some of the recommended products and more information about the study. To read the full study, click here.
Photo Credit: A. M. Kuchling
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve always used No-Ad’s stuff because it’s cheap. Most of their’s are not rated well on the list because of oxybenzone. I’ll have to consult this list again when it starts to get sunnier again. Thanks for posting this, as I am prone to burning and use a lot of sun protection.
I was glad to see at least one No-Ad product near the top of the list. I’ve used it quite a bit in the past, too, because of the low price.
Using sunscreen not only exposes you to chemicals, it depletes your body of vitamin D. Most Americans are vitamin D deficient, leading to colds, flu, & much worse. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/03/21/Can-Vitamin-D-Cure-the-Common-Cold.aspx
You need to take EWGs list with a grain of salt. Sometimes their ratings don’t add up. For example, No Ad and Trader Joe’s
Sunscreens both have Oxybenzone, which is listed as a “9″ for toxicity! No Ad also has “nano” zinc oxide which can pass into a baby’s bloodstream (vs. micro zinc oxide). So, how does No Ad get an overall “2″. Obviously not for it’s lack of toxicity. Trader Joes has methylparaben and propylene glycol (made from petroleum). Even CVS brand listed above has a “6″ health hazard.
The safest sunscreens like California Baby and Badger only use Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (micronized) as their sunscreens. These are physical sunscreens, not chemical sunscreens. Don’t you want a sunscreen which is “sun” safe
and safe for your body?
I have to agree with Craig. I also see some issues with ratings on EWG. I don’t necessarily agree with all their ratings.
there is also the Miessence sunscreen which is not listed on their top 10 since it only is labeled as SPF 15. It actually is tested to SPF 29 and only uses Zinc Oxide (micronized) and no titanium.
http://elyorganics.com/miessence-products/13430/
Titanium, is unstable when exposed to UV light and creates free radicals.
I think Badger is the only other company not using Titanium.
Zinc is a physical blocker, not a chemical blocker.
My question is whether I need sunscreen if my skin rarely burns. My doctor said since I have dark skin I don’t need to really worry about skin cancer.
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