The Toxic Truth Of Sunscreen (PHOTOS)

Despite sunscreen use being higher than ever, skin cancer is still on the rise. The most common cancer in the United States, skin cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all cancer cases.

The Environmental Working Group just released their fourth annual Sunscreen Guide, with recommendations for only 39 of the 500 sunscreen products reviewed. The EWG found many products misleading in their claims, lacking in adequate protection from all types of ultraviolet radiation, and containing many potentially hazardous chemicals. Because the FDA still has not issued any sunscreen industry regulations, which they began drafting 32 years ago, consumers are left to discover the safest products on their own.

EWG Senior Vice President For Research Jane Houlihan said, "Many sunscreens available in the U.S. may be the equivalent of modern-day snake oil, plying customers with claims of broad-spectrum protection but not providing it, while exposing people to potentially hazardous chemicals that can penetrate the skin into the body."

Here are some of the dangerous truths about sunscreen, including the best and worst products.
Check out the EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide for more info.

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Increased Risk Of Skin Cancer

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New FDA research data reveal that a type of Vitamin A (found on the label as "retinyl palmitate" or "retinol"), which is in 41% of sunscreens, may actually increase the growth of cancerous skin tumors and lesions. While vitamin A is used in many skin products for its antioxidant properties to slow skin aging, when in the sun it may have photocarcinogenic properties that can damage the skin more than protect it. The FDA's one year study found that lab animals coated in a cream with Vitamin A and exposed to sunlight daily developed skin tumors and lesions 21% sooner than the control animals with no vitamin A. While the data are only preliminary, the FDA's full assessment will be issued in October.

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New FDA research data reveal that a type of Vitamin A (found on the label as "retinyl palmitate" or "retinol"), which is in 41% of sunscreens, may actually increase the growth of cancerous skin tumors and lesions. While vitamin A is used in many skin products for its antioxidant properties to slow skin aging, when in the sun it may have photocarcinogenic properties that can damage the skin more than protect it. The FDA's one year study found that lab animals coated in a cream with Vitamin A and exposed to sunlight daily developed skin tumors and lesions 21% sooner than the control animals with no vitamin A. While the data are only preliminary, the FDA's full assessment will be issued in October.

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Comments

[maritimer]

02:13 PM on 06/06/2010

Doc Martins (not to be confused with the shoes) of Maui should be on the list, but I saw it nowhere. It's a great sunblock, meant for the water but can be used in all sports and contains no harmful additives. Designed by a dermatologist.

[goddesshuntress]

11:37 PM on 06/01/2010

EWG is a blessing. Their relentless pursuit is now catching the attention of mainstream media and consumers.
Educate and protect.

http://goddesshuntress.com/2010/05/27/may-is-melanoma-awareness-month-sunscreen/
http://goddesshuntress.com/2010/05/24/may-is-melanoma-awareness-month-skin-check/
http://goddesshuntress.com/2010/05/25/may-is-melanoma-awareness-month-facts/
http://goddesshuntress.com/2010/05/28/may-is-melanoma-awareness-month-contribute/

[William Waterway Marks]

09:05 AM on 06/01/2010

As someone who has survived malignant melanoma skin cancer - I wish that this sunblock information was available sooner. Some companies will do anything to cash in on our fears. Our only way of protecting ourselves and loved ones is to do our best at staying informed about sunscreens and other forms of sun protection. Wearing proper protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, along with minimizing skin exposure during peak times of harmful sun rays is an easy way of preventing skin cancer.

[GraemeTamke]

09:29 AM on 05/31/2010

Check out this NY Times article exposing the American Cancer Society and Neutrogena stretching the truth to scare us into using sunscreens.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/health/10skin.html

[RMankovitz]

02:34 PM on 05/29/2010

I completely agree that placing vitamin A in topical products designed to be used in a UV environment is a mistake. Which brings up the subject of Vitamins A and D, and their interactions. Many folks using sunscreen are beginning to take vitamin D3 supplements, which is certainly a wise move - with a caveat.

In those foods which naturally contain Vitamin D, the most popular of which is cod liver oil, vitamin A is also naturally present. There has been a raging controversy among researchers as to the interaction of vitamins A and D, with little consensus.

In my research, which is based on using nature as a template for wellness, I support the conclusion that Vitamin A is critical to those taking vitamin D in supplement form, to avoid toxicity. The latest thinking is that the A to D ratio should be between 4 and 8 (in IU). Thus, if you were taking 2000 IU of vitamin D, you should also take at least 8000 IU of vitamin A (not beta carotene) to avoid long term toxicity. For additional insurance, one should also take a vitamin K supplement which includes K1 and K2.

For a peek at the controversy, see:

http://www.westonaprice.org/blogs/drs-linday-and-hollick-and-colleagues-defend-cod-liver-oil-citing-the-weston-a-price-foundation.html

Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com

[Tulka2]

03:39 PM on 05/28/2010

Hat and long sleeves are cheap and effective. Smart women carry parasols when the occasion is right.

[lasublime]

12:47 AM on 05/29/2010

righto.

[LeFlaneur]

12:13 PM on 06/01/2010

How often is the occasion right? Beach volleyball?

[VeggieLove]

10:28 AM on 05/28/2010

I am so thankful organizations like EWG exist. I'll be donating money to them today so they can continue their work.

[kenny-dot-org]

09:01 AM on 05/28/2010

I'm so disgusted by the government 'watch dogs' who are supposed to be protecting us. They are NOT doing their jobs.

kenny.org/blog.html

[suec03]

05:46 PM on 05/28/2010

Nutritional supplement industry lobbyists have convinced many GOP members of Congress to restrict the purview of the FDA, preventing them from regulating nutritional supplements as well. Legislation is needed to give FDA full authority and responsibility to keep us safe.

[AddyGmom]

01:19 PM on 05/31/2010

Why not be your own 'watchdog'?

[justwanttruth]

02:12 AM on 06/01/2010

Really? You think the average human being is a match for those that have gone to school for years to learn how to mess with our psychology so we will buy their products? It doesn't even begin to be a fair fight. I am a very intelligent person with an education in science, and even I have a hard time getting at the truth of the matter. And why would we, as a society, want to set up a system where we make it harder for ourselves to get to the truth?

[meemu]

02:26 AM on 05/28/2010

With the crippling of any consumer protection agencies in the US by the Bush and his cohorts, I no longer listen to any of their claims. Over the years, everything they've said practically has been a lie. By 'they' I refer to the marketers of products and the 'celebrity' doctors, I guess you'd call them, who come across as "people who KNOW about this".They've told us not to eat eggs, now it's ok. Don't use butter, use margarine--now we find out margarine is WORSE than butter. Don't use sugar--use this artificial sweetener. Ooops, no don't use artificial sweeteners. And for years we've been told to stay out of the sun, now 70% of us have Vitamin D deficiency!! (So they say....) I'm tired of being jerked this way and that way by the Bull S#it, so I'll just take my chances with the sun, and butter and as many foods that they haven't "messed" with as I can find or grow myself. I checked the ingredients on a gallon of milk the other day, because of some oddity on the label and the difference in price---found out it containes Milk and SKIM milk and Vit D.....no indication that the milk was diluted with skim milk unless you read the ingredients! Of course the oddity I noticed was the lack of the word 'whole' on the label.....

[suec03]

05:50 PM on 05/28/2010

It isn't as hard as you say. Subscribe to NutritionAction HealthLetter from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (progressive) or Consumer Reports on Health from Consumers Union (progressive). They help a lot to cut through a lot of the misinformation and make things clear. Just avoid the sunscreens with oxybenzone or retinol palmitate (vitamin A), which can react with the sun. Get a zinc oxide or titanium dioxide topical (skin surface) sunblock like Badger, UV Naturals, Soleo, California Baby, Desert Essence or Jason Naturals.

[lasublime]

12:55 AM on 05/29/2010

So tru. Half the time the true nature of what we eat and drink and apply to our bodies is unknown or obscured by clever wording. Unfortunately my initial attitude with any product is to listrust it until I have evidence otherwise. I try to eat as close to nature, that is unadulterated, as possible, relying on well-respected methods of preservation that give us delicious salamis and pickles. My milk is raw, my meat is grass fed, my fish is wild (yes I know, the seas do worry me). Labeling itself can be misleading. Velveeta cheese food, what does that mean?

[kendra]

12:40 AM on 05/28/2010

Common sense says a little lotion's hardly going to save you from the sun's intense rays.
We were told to overlook our better judgement & buy this crap.

[suec03]

05:52 PM on 05/28/2010

It's not the lotion. The lotion is just a delivery system. Mineral sunblock provides a reflective layer to reflect away a portion of the sun's UVA and UVB radiation.

[lasublime]

12:57 AM on 05/29/2010

And we did? I have never used sun screen, but then I don't spend hours in the "midday sun."

[aliveoneinkiwiland]

11:58 PM on 05/27/2010

Want a good list of all your products, go to the skin database http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
Interesting to see a cancer campaign supprter Avon Cosmetics having the most cancer causing chemicals their products

[RockydaDog]

10:51 PM on 05/27/2010

I've decided that sunscreen creams cause skin cancer.

[suec03]

05:55 PM on 05/28/2010

Maybe so with some chemicals that penetrate the skin. Choose instead a mineral-based sunblock (SPF 30 or up) that sits on top of the skin to reflect away UVA and UVB radiation. The database at www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen is very helpful to choose not only mineral sunblock, but also moisturizers, lip balms and makeup with mineral sunscreens for everyday wear.

[Sorti]

08:27 PM on 05/27/2010

Badger user here, Whole Foods sells it, it's on the list of the good ones, no idea if in the long run it will matter.

I guess in the long LONG run we are all dead anyway.

[mnkygrl10]

09:00 PM on 05/27/2010

i don't need sunscreen. my children and i just go to the beach after 3:00. problem solved.

[suec03]

10:58 PM on 05/27/2010

That makes no sense. You will still be bombarded with UVA and UVB rays, even after the hottest part of the day at 3 PM. You can get sunburn on an overcast, cloudy day! I have lived my entire life in Southern California and I know. Plenty of sunburns at the California coast during my younger days on "June Gloom" days when I didn't use sunscreen.

[dreamer1]

07:59 PM on 05/27/2010

Definitely something to think about! Seems like you can't win for losing.

[suec03]

05:58 PM on 05/28/2010

With the interactive guide at www.ewg.org/2010 sunscreen, that excuse is gone! It is now much easier to educate ourselves on which brands sit on the surface of the skin to reflect UVA and UVB radiation, so we can avoid the popular brands that permeate the lower levels of the skin with chemicals.

[blukazoo]

07:42 PM on 05/27/2010

Oh great, I live is San Diego and drive a jeep. I've been lathering myself with sunscreen to keep from getting skin cancer--only to find out I probably haven't done myself any good. I'll never understand how the government "overlooked" the need to regulate SPF, given the fact that its supposed to avoid a health risk. Thanks for the snake-oil. Does anyone think they'll make them stop selling the stuff until they do it right? 32 years and counting...

[suec03]

05:43 PM on 05/28/2010

Conservatives in Congress have also prevented the FDA from regulating the safety of "nutritional supplements" such as herbal preparations, so buyer beware on those too. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just stop buying the popular chemical sunscreens that permeate the lower levels of the skin, and go to your local health food market to find a good mineral-based sunblock that will sit on the surface of your skin, such as one containing zinc oxide. Look for Badger, All Terrain, UV Natural, Desert Essence, Jason or Soleo. Several of theirs scored well with EWG. Or go to the baby department at Target and buy some California Baby sunblock. Adults can use it too.