Is Your Sunscreen Doing More Harm than Good?

By , SparkPeople Blogger
For years, we've been told to slather on sunscreen every time we head outdoors so we can protect ourselves from skin cancer. But what we're not told is that sunscreens are not created equal: Some aren't as protective as they claim to be, while others contain potentially hazardous ingredients. That's the consensus of the Environmental Working Group. The nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment recently updated their Sunscreen Guide for 2010 to help consumers make better choices this summer and beyond.

EWG looked at more than 500 sunscreens on the market, tested them for potency, examined their ingredients, and reviewed the claims made on their packages. The result? A mere 39 out of 500 sunscreens examined meet their guidelines for consumer safety and sun protection.

"Many sunscreens available in the U.S. may be the equivalent of modern-day snake oil, plying customers with claims of broad-spectrum protection but not providing it, while exposing people to potentially hazardous chemicals that can penetrate the skin into the body," said Jane Houlihan, EWG Senior Vice President for Research. "When only 8 percent of sunscreens rate high for safety and efficacy, it's clear that consumers concerned about protecting themselves and their families are left with few good options."

What can we learn from this investigation?

EWG's full report is full of details, including the top ranked brands, a search tool to see how your sunscreen of choice stacks up, and a sunscreen hall of shame. Luckily, they also created a printable one-page guide that summarizes the most important facts you need to shop for a safe and effective sunscreen.

Here are a few of the facts that really caught my eye:
  • A lower SPF is better. Anything higher than SPF 50 encourages consumers to stay out in the sun too long, and these numbers themselves may be misleading, according to the FDA. Stick with an SPF between 15 and 50.
  • Vitamin A is not OK. Eating this vitamin is good, but applying it to your skin probably is not. 41% of sunscreens contain vitamin A, which is listed as "retinyl palmitate" on the ingredients label. Research shows that skin coated with this nutrient develops tumors and lesions sooner, so it's best avoided. I found that my current sunscreen ranked 5 out of 10 (1 is best and 10 is worst), which means to use caution with this particular product. I do plan to switch to one of the top-rated products listed on this report as soon as I use up my current bottle.
It seems that much like food or supplements, regulation is lacking in the sunscreen (and personal care) market and you can't always believe what you read on a label. But doing a little bit of research before you buy can really make a difference in keeping your body healthy!

Are you surprised by these results? Will this report change how you shop for and use sunscreen?