Don't Get Burned by your Sunscreen

[liveonearth]

The Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based nonprofit, has released an investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreens that says four out of five don't adequately protect consumers and may contain harmful chemicals.

Article:
http://www.ewg.org/node/21719

Database of sunscreen products:
http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/

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

--study looked at 700 name-brand sunscreens
--sorted products by chemical safety and effectiveness at preventing sunburn
--UVA causes skin aging, wrinkling and ??? cancer
--84% of 785 sunscreen products (SPF rating 15+) either don't protect from the sun or contain toxic ingredients !!!
--some popular sunscreen chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight and so are formulated with stabilizers
--some penetrate the skin and present significant health concerns
--research is based on nearly 400 peer-reviewed studies of the 17 sunscreen chemicals approved for use in the U.S
--analysis of sunscreen ingredient toxicity linked to 60 industry and government databases on chemical hazards, coupled with customized, product-by-product assessments of protection from both UVA and UVB radiation
--“EWG has conducted this research because the FDA has failed to do so” --Houlihan
--FDA has not finalized comprehensive sunscreen standards that have been in development for 29 years
--lots of false claims in advertising are not getting caught
--EWG’s research on safety of personal care products is online at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

BOTTOM TEN WORST PRODUCTS (all contain oxybenzone)
1. B. Kamins, Chemist Bio-Maple Maple Treatment Day Cream, SPF 15
2. Iman Time Control Oil Free Moisture Complex, SPF 15
3. Rachel Perry Calendula-Cucumber Oil Free Moisturizer, Sunblock with Echinacea, SPF 15
4. Australian Gold Sunscreen Continuous Clear Spray, SPF 15
5. Skin Simple Quench Your Thirst Moisture Lotion, SPF 15
6. St. Ives Protect & Glow with UV Protection, SPF 15
7. Preventin-At Therapeutic Hand Cream & Protectant, SPF 15
8. Dermalogica Solar Defense Wipes, SPF 15
9. Alba Hawaiian Aloe Vera Sunscreen, SPF 15
10. Australian Gold Essentials Bronzing Cool Mist Sunscreen, SPF 15

Maybe my skin is so wrecked because of the sunscreen I was using....