2011 EWG's List of Safe and Unsafe Sunscreens

Great news, the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) just released the 2011 sunscreen guide. They recommend  only 20 percent of the 600-plus beach and sport sunscreens evaluated. To score high marks in the rankings, a product must be effective -- adequately protect skin from both UVA (which causes premature aging, skin cancer, and other skin damage) and UVB (which causes sunburn) rays. It must also be safe, free of potentially harmful chemicals. Here is a great summary:

EWG's Sunscreens to Avoid:

• Aveeno Active Naturals Hydrosport Sunblock Spray, SPF 85
• Aveeno Sunblock Spray, Continuous Protection, SPF 70
• Banana Boat Kids UltraMist Sunscreen, SPF 110
• Banana Boat Kids UltraMist Sunscreen, SPF 85
• Banana Boat Sport Performance Active Max Protect Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110
• Banana Boat Ultra Defense UltraMist Sunscreen Continuous Clear Spray, SPF 85
• CVSExtreme Sport Clear Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
• CVS Sheer Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70
• Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunblock Lotion, Body Mist, SPF 70
• Neutrogena Spectrum+ Sunblock Spray, SPF 100
• Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblock Spray, SPF 100+
• Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblock Spray, SPF 70
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock Lotion, SPF 100+
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock Lotion, SPF 70
• Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunblock Spray, SPF 70
• Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray, SPF 85+
• Walgreens Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen, SPF 70

How did EWG come up with this list? Each of the products to avoid meets all of these criteria:

• SPF values above 50-plus. Higher SPF products are not necessarily best. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration says these numbers can be misleading. There's a concern that high SPF products may give people a false sense of security and encourage people to stay out in the sun for too long without reapplying sunscreen. It's also important to note that the SPF is based solely on UVB protection.
• Sunscreen sprays. They can fill the air with tiny particles that may not be safe to breathe in, according to EWG.
• Contains oxybenzone and vitamin A. Oxybenzone is a concern because it penetrates the skin, is associated with allergic reactions, and is a potential hormone disruptor. Retinyl palmitate is a form of vitamin A that may not be safe when exposed to sunlight. EWG recommends choosing products with one of these ingredients instead: zinc, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, or Mexoryl SX.

Safer, Affordable Sunscreens: 

• Alba Botanica Sun: Mineral Sunscreen Fragrance Free, SPF 30
• Alba Botanical Sun: Mineral Sunscreen Kids, SPF 30
• Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Saving Face Sunscreen, SPF 15
• All Terrain Aquasport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30
• All Terrain KidSport Sunscreen, SPF 30
• BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen for Face & Body, Fragrance Free, SPF 50+
• Carribean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard, SPF 25
• Carribean Solutions Sol Kid Kare Natural Sunscreen, SPF 25
• Earth's Best: Sunblock Mineral Based, SPF 30+
• Goddess Garden Kids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+
• Goddess Garden Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+
• Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas: Mineral Natural Sunblock, SPF 30
• Johnson & Johnson's Baby Daily Face & Body Lotion, SPF 40
• Mexitan Products Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 and SPF 30
• MelanSol Natural Sunscreen for Face and Body, SPF 25
• Nature's Gate Mineral Sportblock, SPF 20
• Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff, SPF 30
• Solbar Zinc Protection Cream, SPF 38
• Sunbow Dora the Explorer Pink Sunscreen, SPF 30
• Tropical Sands All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 50 and SPF 30
• Vanicream Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, SPF 30
• Vanicream Sunscreen Sport, SPF 35
• 
  
• EWG also includes ratings for best moisturizers, lip balms, and makeup with SPF.

Sources: EWG and Yahoo

Have You Checked Your Sunscreen?

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is important to use sunscreen! Remember that kids play outside not only at home, but also at school. So, make sure you have a good quality sunscreen handy all the time!

The Environmental Working Group has a database with toxic ratings for most brands in the US market. It's free and very user-friendly.

Click here to access the database. Happy Summer!

Lightweight Portable UV Tent

Summer is coming, and protecting our children from UV rays is a must. It is well known that sunblock is not enough for kids at the beach, specially the younger ones.
We did some research on beach tents and found a good one, not only for the beach but also for some fun time in the backyard or the countryside.

The Insta-Tent is made of UV-coated fabric, with a strong, sturdy, lightweight pop-up pole system that sets up in seconds. It is also well ventilated, and very stable with the sand pockets. Other features include a zipper door for privacy and a rain fly for inclement weather.
It measures 4 by 2.83 by 4 feet (W x H x D) and weighs 5 pounds.

There are many brands in the market, but this one is made by ABO Gear.

More on Sunscreen Safety

The latest Environmental Working Group's annual report to consumers on sunscreen examined 500 products, and considered only 39 of them safe and effective to use. The problems are primarily based on the following:
- The use of the hormone-disrupting chemical oxybenzone, which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream.
- Overstated claims about SPF performance.

Another concern is with the inclusion of vitamin A in sunscreen formulations for its anti-oxidant properties to  slows skin aging. EWG researchers found the initial findings of an FDA study of vitamin A's photocarcinogenic properties, which means the possibility that it results in cancerous tumors when used on skin exposed to sunlight.

The EWG warns consumers not to depend on any sunscreen for primary protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Hats, clothing and shade are still the most reliable sun protection available!

Check out the hall of shame in baby sunscreen including top brands!
Both links are free to access.
The full list of the best and worst sunscreens can be found on the EWG's searchable database.


Source: EWG and Aol News

Non-Toxic Sunscreen

Spring is bringing beautiful, warm (and long expected) sunlight into our lives again. Protecting ourselves and the little ones from sun damage is definitely a must. A couple of weeks ago we wrote about sun block options, and provided a link from ewg.org to access data about the quality of some brands in the market. Click here to access the article.

We've just found a line of 80% certified organic sunscreen that is free of Paba, Paraben, Phthalate and Petroleum ingredients. The actives are not considered organic. Scent free options are also available. The brand is Coola Suncare. Check it out!

Spring is Time for Sunscreen

Spring is around the corner, it is time to get outside! Kids should be protected with good quality sunscreen, with both UVA and UVB protection.

The Environmental Working Group released a great guide for safe sunscreen products. According to the guide, the following are the ingredients to avoid:

• Oxybenzone - In sunlight, can produce allergy- and cancer-causing chemicals
• DMDM Hydantoin - Allergen and irritant that can form cancer-causing contaminants
• Triethanolamine - Allergen and irritant that can form cancer-causing contaminants

Click here to access EWG's Brand Buying Guide.