Everyone seems to be talking about sunscreen lately. That’s a little alarming. It’s a huge misconception to start worrying about sunscreen when summer is near – technically you should protect your skin from UV rays year round. But, I digress. Sunscreen is on everyone’s mind, and luckily, Environmental Working Group (EWG) has just released their 2011 Safe Sunscreen Guide.
2011 marks the 5th annual sunscreen guide for EWG and features ratings for more than 1,700 sunscreens and SPF lip balms, moisturizers and makeups.
This kid could use a hat and sunglasses!
What hasn’t changed from last year:
Like last year, EWG notes that almost all sunscreens are unreliable and that the best UV protection includes protective clothes, shade and timing. You should wear long, light sleeves, a hat and sunglasses at least. Your kids should wear the same.
Also the same as last year; the FDA is still failing consumers when it comes to sunscreen safety. In fact this is now the 34th summer in a row, in the United States with zero sunscreen safety regulations. The FDA has been working on setting enforceable guidelines for consumer protection related to sunscreen for over 33-years now. Go FDA!
What’s new this year?
Last year only 8% of sunscreens were deemed safe by EWG. This year EWG says that about 20% of sunscreens are safe. How come? Are sunscreen manufactures making better products? Nope. According to EWG, ” EWG recommends 1 in 5 of more than 600 beach and sport sunscreens, compared to 1 in 12 last year.” EWG notes that this isn’t because sunscreen makers are producing more superior products though. What happened this year is that EWG tested more sunscreens. Because consumers told EWG that they wanted more options, EWG went looking more sunscreen options, found some, and were able to add more to their database.
Quick must-know highlights from the EWG 2011 sunscreen guide:
- Only one in five sunscreens earns high marks for safety and efficacy.
- Nearly 1/3 of this year’s crop of sunscreens contains vitamin A, an additive that EWG says can accelerate the growth of skin tumors and lesions.
- Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate (sometimes listed as vitamin A).
- Look for sunscreens offering mineral protection via zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
- Choose creams and lotions over sprays and powders.
- Reapply sunscreens at least every two hours, or after getting wet or sweaty.
- Plenty of sunscreens made the hall of shame this year – avoid these baddies.
The best sunscreens for 2011:
EWG says…
“The ideal sunscreen would completely block the UV rays that cause sunburn, immune suppression and damaging free radicals. It would remain effective on the skin for several hours and not form harmful ingredients when degraded by UV light. It would smell and feel pleasant so that people use it in the right amount and frequency.”
Sadly, EWG points out that zero sunscreens in the USA that meet all of the above criteria. With this in mind EWG has determined that mineral sunscreens have the best safety profile of today’s choices.
- Read the 2011 EWG Sunscreen Report to learn more.
- See some less expensive sunscreen choices.
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I’m glad to read that there are other people out there aware of the toxic ingredients in sunscreen. After having my first child and finally being able to get outdoors with her I needed to find the very safest sunscreen I could for her and for myself. I have done much research and eventually I found the thinkbaby sunscreen by Livestrong. It is ranked a 1/Low Hazard by the Environmental Working Group and comes in a nice sized bottle. I am able to use this sunscreen for my daughter and also for myself. I purchased my thinkbaby sunscreen at http://www.greenpearproducts.com.
At Green Pear I only saw 3 oz bottles. I don’t consider that a nice sized bottle of sunscreen. Plus it’s $17 – that’s $5.66 per oz.! Since an adult is supposed to apply sunscreen every two hours when outside, and is supposed to wear an oz. worth of sunscreen, that’s a $17 + per day sunscreen habit. If you’ve got kids, the cost becomes insane.
Now I cannot diagree that most of the “safe” sunscreens are not cheap. We have 1 kid and another on the way. Right now, 1 3oz tube takes us through a WI summer for two of us. We dont have long days at the beach but occasionally go swimming. We only apply sunscreen when we know we are going to be out on a sunny day for extended periods of time. Most of the time, you are not applying to your entire body, so 1oz is not needed per application. Dont forget that a little sun is also good for you.
This is a big issue. I know many parents slather their children with sunscreen daily and at an early age. They will be extremely upset to learn that they are endangering their child. We need to do what we can to educate people so they can be informed.
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