Sun Publications Chicago, Katie Foutz
Published July 15, 2008
Heading outside?
The products you use to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun and insects could be harmful themselves, according to the Environmental Working Group.
The nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C., investigated nearly 1,000 sunscreens and released the results earlier this month: that only one in five provided adequate protection from both UVA and UVB radiation with few ingredients linked to known or suspected health hazards. Furthermore, if those sunscreen lotions contain added bug repellents, users could absorb too much of the pesticide into their bodies, according to the group.
The Environmental Working Group ranks sunscreens, insect repellents and other personal care products from low hazard to high hazard on its Skin Deep Web site,
www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.
Naturopath Tony Koufos, owner of All Natural Spa in Naperville, believes natural is always safer.
"Only put things on your skin that you would eat," he said. "If there are three or more things (on the label) you can't pronounce, stay away from them, and that eliminates most of the products on the market."
Dr. Benjamin Raab, a dermatologist and director of the Center for Cosmetic Skin Surgery in Naperville, said while natural products can't hurt, chemical-based products are safe when used as directed.
"No one's eating sunscreen," he said.
Be sun smart
Raab tells his patients that Southern belles of a century ago were on to something.
"They didn't have sunscreen. They wore white satin gloves to protect their hands, they walked around with parasols ... and they had healthy, peachy-cream skin and they looked younger," he said. "There's no question people should protect themselves from the sun, and that's a major, major health issue."
Besides seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, sunscreen is an important part of preventing skin cancer. Raab recommends any broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and the American Academy of Dermatology's Seal of Recognition.
However, the Environmental Working Group's investigation found some popular sunscreen chemicals actually break down when exposed to sunlight. Others penetrate the skin and pose health concerns including allergic reaction, hormone disruption and skin damage. The group acknowledges more research needs to be done to determine whether the levels at which the ingredients are found pose risks to human health.
If you're reading the label, the group suggests avoiding oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 - chemicals that are absorbed into the skin - and instead looking for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which reflect and scatter sunlight. Newer zinc oxide products, including those from Blue Lizard and Olay, blend in better with the skin than the pasty white concoctions of the past.
According to the cosmetics industry, the Environmental Working Group's report unnecessarily alarms consumers. John Bailey, chief scientist for the Personal Care Products Council, said in a statement that consumers can be confident sunscreens containing oxybenzone are safe and effective. The ingredient is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Canada and the European Union for use as a sunscreen.
Bug off
Health officials routinely recommend bug repellents with DEET to protect against mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus. But insect repellents - especially chemical ones - can irritate the skin, causing redness and itchiness. If you do use a DEET product, one option is to apply it to your clothes instead of your skin.
DEET was originally developed in 1946 for military use and overall has a good safety record, yet some people still worry about its safety and dislike the odor. It has been implicated in seizures in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, but there is not enough information to confirm it as the cause of the incidents.
Alternatives to DEET-based products include Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition SPF 30. Avon discovered years ago that its Skin So Soft moisturizer doubled as an insect repellent and the brand now embraces its multitasking. IR3535, a nontoxic synthetic biochemical, offers eight hours of protection against mosquitoes, gnats, sand flies and biting midges, according to Avon.
Many insect repellents, such as California Baby and Burt's Bees, also use the power of plant-based ingredients. Koufos recommends dabbing on essential oils such as lemongrass, rosemary and citronella to keep bugs at bay.
The bottom line on summer skin care products?
"If they're commercially prepared, you want to look at them," Koufos said. "It's better to use natural products. They're always safer, and the public is starting to learn that."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
