The Issue
Sunscreens
Many sunscreens have problematic ingredients and poor UV protection and make overblown claims. Since 2007, EWG has been scouring the market for the safest and most effective products.
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The Latest on Sunscreens
So you've read our 2009 sunscreen report cover to cover, right? OK, probably not - we're all too busy to handle that much information in the middle of summer - no matter how useful and scintillating and well written.
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This week my family is vacationing, like many American families, and we're doing our best to play outside - a lot. Which, of course, means we're in the sun. And since we're from Oregon, our skin isn't exactly used to the sun come July.
Read MoreEvery year about this time we get a note from our preschool asking parents to either sign off on the school's sunscreen application regimen (their brand) or to bring your own. We've always brought our own because I was not at all keen on the brand the school used.
Read MoreEWG scientists interviewed about sunscreens and DC drinking water.
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Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT) has introduced the Sunscreen Labeling Protection Act of 2008.
Read MoreAlmost a year after consumer concerns pushed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promise tougher sunscreen standards, an investigation of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreen products finds that most still fail to adequately protect consumers or contain chemicals that may pose health hazards.
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EWG's review of scientific evidence and biomonitoring data for the common sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone.
Read MoreThe bodies of nearly all Americans are contaminated with a sunscreen chemical that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A companion study from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that the same chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy.
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EWG's comments to FDA regarding its 2007 draft sunscreen rules.
Read MoreEWG issued the following statement today in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s latest proposed federal safety standards for sunscreens. FDA first announced its intention to implement safety standards for sunscreens 28 years ago. To date, none have been finalized. These new proposed regulations would for the first time put a permanent safety standard in place for UVA protection.
Read MoreThis week's edition of TreeHugger Radio featured an interview with EWG Analyst Kristan Markey, who discussed our report on sunscreen safety and efficacy. You can listen to the episode or go to TreeHugger for more information.
Read MoreHave you been counting down the days to the Live Earth concerts? We've been pretty quiet on the subject here at Enviroblog, but not because we don't care -- we've just been too busy keeping you in the loop about sunscreen, corporate greenwashing, and which water bottles are safest. The Big Day is getting close, though, and we're starting to feel that Live Earth vibe.
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Kate at Grist did a great write-up on EWG's sunscreen investigation -- if you haven't seen it yet, you should check it out.
Read MoreYesterday EWG launched a database containing the safety and effectiveness ratings of over 700 sunscreen products — just in time for summer. The site helps consumers select the best possible sunscreen, but what do you do if you just stockpiled Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion (SPF15) or Coppertone Sunblock Lotion 2006, which were among the worst sunscreens? Never fear, ill-fated consumer, I have already thought of some creative and healthy ways to use that sunscreen.
Read MoreThe New York Times' most emailed article of the day reports on the absurd marketing claims for cosmetic skin creams and the high prices the products demand. A Manhattan dermatologist recommends reducing your daily skin care routine to two simple ingredients: gentle soap and sunscreen, and a third product only for specific skin needs like acne or pigment spots. Avoid the high-priced brands, because no research suggests more expensive products are any better.
Read MoreEWG submits comments to FDA on the need for a public process to identify and evaluate the safety of nanomaterials in cosmetics. Recommendations to FDA include the need to identify nano-scale materials in personal care products and complete product safety evaluations in those cases.
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