Worried about Skin cancer? New Study says 80% of Sunscreens Don’t Work and Some May Contain Hazardous Ingredients

By Susan Seliger

Hey—isn’t somebody out there looking out for our health? Anybody? The FDA, for instance? How can that possibly be that sunscreens don’t necessarily work as promised? And some may even contain ingredients that pose health risks?

A new study of almost 1,000 sunscreens has found that 4 out of 5 do not screen out the sun as promised or may contain chemicals that could be hazardous to your health. The Environmental Working Group, (EWG)a nonprofit research group in Washington DC that conducted this study, found that many of the leading brands of sunscreens do not protect us from the sun’s rays as promised. And some contain chemicals that may be hazardous to your health. (See Top 10 Recommended Brands – below)

How Can That Be?

Here’s how that can be: Apparently sunscreen companies can make any claims they want. Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is supposed to ensure that all such products are safe and effective, that government agency has not issued any standards that sunscreen producers must meet. And the agency has not approved some ingredients that are used in Europe that could provide better UV radiation protection, according to the EWG.

Does everybody agree?

First the New York Times ran a story quoting sunscreen reps saying the EWG study wasn’t sufficiently scientific. Sunscreen Safety Is Called Into Question.

Then, a week later they ran another story reporting how the FDA has dragged its heels on regulating sunscreens:

IrishHealth.com says research in the UK finds some sunscreens are making false claims.

Now the US Senate is getting into the action – proposing legislation to get the FDA moving on regulating the safety of sunscreens:

Decide for yourself. Here’s the short version of what EWG has to say:

Basic Tips on ingredients to look for and which to avoid:

Look for — Products containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — they offer good protection.

Avoid – sprays or containing zinc and titanium – they may be dangerous if inhaled

So here, from the EWG is a list of the sunscreens that do work. There are 143 that provide protection and are safe. But you may want to think twice about some of the leading brands you have been using. They may not work as well, last as long, or be as safe as you think.

Top 10 Recommended Common Brands

Blue Lizard (without oxybenzone)

California Baby (SpF 30+)

CVS (with zinc oxide)

Jason Natural Cosmetics (Sunbrellas mineral-based sunblock)

Kiss My Face (Paraben free series)

Neutrogena (Sensitive skin sunblock)

Olay (Defense Daily UV moisturizer with zinc)

SKinCeuticals (Physical UV Defense)

Solar Sense (Clear Zinc for face)

Walgreens (Zinc Oxide for face, nose and ears)

Top 10 Products that are Safe and Effective

Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic SUnblock SPF 30

Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, SPF 30+

California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+

Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30

Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum

Lavera Sunscreen Neutral, SPF 40

Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 35

UV Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

Sun Science Sport Formula, SPF 30

Soleo Organics Sunscreen all natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

Major brands that EWG does not highly recommend

Banana Boat

Burt’s Bees

Coppertone

Dove

Dr. Scholl’s

Garnier

Gillette

Lubriderm

Hawaiian Tropic

Lancome

Maybelline

For Full List, and more details on safety issues, go to the EWG web site.

See the study:

Tags EWG study, sunscreen study, Sunscreens, sunscreens-not-safe