Is your sunscreen you adequate sun protection? One consumer advocacy group has questioned sunscreen effectiveness.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit agency whose objective is to protect public health and the environment. According to the EWG, four out of five sunscreens are either ineffective or contain unsafe ingredients.
The EWG scrutinized more than 900 sunscreen products. Sunscreens were evaluated for their effectiveness against both UVA and UVB rays, and containing only active ingredients that remained stable in sunlight and were deemed safe by the group. Only 15% of the sunscreens tested met the EWG's standards.
Some of the EWG's top picks:
- Blue Lizard products, without oxybenzone
- California Baby SPF 30 or above
- CVS with zinc oxide
- Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas Mineral Based Sunblock
- Kiss My Face "Paraben Free" series
- Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock
- Olay Defense Daily UV Moisturizer
- SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense
- Solar Sense Clear Zinc for Face
- Walgreens Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears
If you believe the big brands offer the best protection, the EWG says think again. Some of the biggest names in sunscreen, like Coppertone and Banana Boat, were also some of the worst offenders. And just to add to the confusion, different products from the same brand may have vastly different scores. For instance, Neutrogena's sensitive skin sunblock received high marks for sun protection, while other Neutrogena were labeled ineffective.
But sunscreen manufacturers take issue with the EWG's findings, and are standing by their products. They assure the public that all products are rigorously tested for safety efficacy, and approved are by both scientists and dermatologists alike.
The greatest problem lies in that many sunscreens only protect against UVB rays, the rays that cause sunburn, but don't provide any protection against UVA rays. UVA rays don't burn the skin, but they do cause sun damage, wrinkles, and skin discoloration (age or liver spots). It's thought UVA rays also are responsible for causing skin cancer.
The SPF rating system, first implemented in the 1970's, is only a measure of protection against UVB rays. So it's possible to have a sunscreen with a high SPF but still not get any protection from UVA rays. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working on upgrading these standards.
Many skin care professionals are afraid that, because of this controversy, people may stop using sunscreen altogether. And with all the confusion, it's easy to wonder if your sunscreen is really doing you any good. The American Academy of Dermatology hasn't changed its recommendation to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. So, don't forgo the sunscreen! Instead, look for products that offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Daily sunscreen use is especially important if you are using acne medications that make your skin more sensitive to the sun. For acne-prone skin types, use only noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic products. And remember to reapply often, especially after sweating or swimming.
The best advice is to read labels, carefully select your products, and apply your sunscreen correctly. These simple actions will help keep your skin happy and healthy.
Source: Gray S, Lunder S, Markey K, Sutton R, Leiba N, Houlihan J. "Sunscreen Summary - What Works and What's Safe." Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Environmental Working Group. Accessed 2 Jul 2008. <http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/summary.php>.
Hexsel CL, Bangert SD, Hebert AA, Lim HW. "Current sunscreen issues: 2007 Food and Drug Administration sunscreen labelling recommendations and combination sunscreen/insect repellent products." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008; 59(2):316-323.
"Rulemaking History for OTC Sunscreen Drug Products." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Department of Health and Human Services. 29 Nov 2007. Accessed 18 Jul 2008. <http://www.fda.gov/cder/otcmonographs/Sunscreen/new_sunscreen.htm>.
