News Coverage
Study Finds Sunscreens Fall Down On Job
Published July 3, 2008
Blue Lizard sunscreen products are among the best performers in an Environmental Working Group report.
Sun-protection tips
* Keep children under 6 months old out of direct sun. Children have a higher risk of skin cancer later when they get too much sun.
* n Avoid midday sun. Summer sun is most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and at high altitudes and in the tropics.
* Take cover with a shirt, hat and UV-protective sunglasses.
* Put on sunscreen before going out in the sun and reapply often (usually every two hours)
* Apply bug repellent at least 15 minutes after sunscreen to reduce chance of pesticide soaking into the skin.
* Buy new sunscreen every year.
Source: Environmental Working Group
According to a consumer watchdog, many sunscreens don't shine.
The Environmental Working Group has determined that 85 percent of sunscreens with an SPF rating of 15 or higher deliver subpar protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays or contain ingredients that are known health hazards or have not been tested for safety.
EWG researchers examined the ingredients of 950 brand-name sunscreens for the report. They based their findings on about 400 published studies of 17 chemicals used in products in the United States, and nearly 60 national databases that contain information on potentially toxic chemicals. Scientists found that some popular sunscreen chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight. Others penetrate the skin and can cause allergic reactions, hormone disruption and skin damage.
The group rated each sunscreen effectiveness based on ultraviolet-B (UVB) protection, ultraviolet (indicated by the SPF), ultraviolet-A (UVA) protection against other types of skin-cancer-causing rays, and stability of the ingredients or how long they remain active on the skin.
Of the 950 sunscreen products evaluated, EWG recommended 142 of them. Leading brands did not have a good showing, with none of the industry leader Coppertone's 41 sunscreen products making the cut. Only 1 of 103 products by Neutrogena and Banana Boat, the second- and third-largest manufacturers, was recommended.
The top sunscreens include:
1. Blue Lizard (versions without oxybenzone)
2. California Baby (with SPF 30 or higher)
3. CVS with zinc oxide
4. Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas Mineral Based Sunblock
5. Kiss My Face ("Paraben-Free" series)
6. Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock
7. Olay Defense Daily Defense UV Moisturizer (with zinc)
8. SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense
9. Solar Sense Clear Zinc for Face
10. Walgreens Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose and Ears.
The report is a response to what EWG calls the Food and Drug Administration's long-time promise to create tougher sunscreen guidelines.
"We've been waiting 30 years for the FDA to come up with adequate safety standards, and we're still waiting," said Jane Houlihan, vice president for research at EWG. "Until then, our database is a tool consumers can use to find out which brands are best for their families."
The FDA now requires that sunscreen companies revise labels. Based on a four-star system, each sunscreen product must be identified where they fall on a UV-protection scale, and include the statement: "UV exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and other skin damage. It is important to decrease UV exposure by limiting time in the sun, wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen" on packaging.
There is no deadline for implementation of the standards.
Style writer Kevin Cowan may be reached at 865-342-6426.
