Green Your Sunscreen

Did you know that the FDA still hasn’t finalized its sunscreen standards? This means that companies are free to promise that their sunscreens are safe and effective when no safety guidelines have actually been set. According to a recent study by the Environmental Work Group nearly 600 of the top selling American sunscreen brands contain a chemical called Oxybenzone, which can actually mutate your cells!

The last safety review for Oxybenzone was done in the 1970s, and does not reflect a wealth of information developed since that time indicating increased toxicity concerns and widespread human exposure. Oxybenzone is a penetration enhancer, which means that it allows enhanced penetration of chemicals into your skin. This is of great concern considering that Oxybenzone can allow hazardous ingredients to be penetrated directly into your blood stream. Oxybenzone has also been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, cell damage and low birth weights in baby girls whose mothers were exposed to the chemical during pregnancy. In addition the EWG research found that 84% of 910 name-brand sunscreens offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain hazardous ingredients, like Oxybenzone.

It’s recommended that you purchase a sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide content in order to receive the maximum amount of sun protection. Broad Spectrum protection is the highest level of sun protection and means that a sunscreen protects you from both UVA (ultra violet, skin aging) rays and UVB (ultra violet, burning) rays.

Be sure and reach for a green sunscreen this summer. Choosing a chemical free alternative will protect the environment and your family's health.