Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Let's Talk About Sunscreen

It's getting to be that time of year when I can't leave the house without putting on sunscreen. I'm pretty paranoid about it. I'm fair skinned and burn easily. So does my daughter. We've all been burned a little this year. I know burning doesn't make any difference when it comes to cancer but it raises my awareness of the sun's power. Skin cancer is a big concern in my family (my grandmother can't leave the house without sun protective clothing, gloves, hat, and sun screen due to her experience with skin cancer) and it's definitely something I think about since we spend so much time outdoors.  
Two of the sunscreens I'll be throwing in the trash.
During my pregnancy with L. I became increasingly aware of the impact things like lotions and face cleaners could have on my body and my growing baby (for example, I quit using a face wash with salicylic acid). Still, I didn't think twice about sunscreen. We were in the northwest and sunscreen wasn't a biggie since we were almost always wearing hats and jackets. When we moved I bought Neutrogena Baby Free & Clear. My whole family had been using Neutrogena for ages because that was what my grandmother's doctor had recommended after her first major skin cancer treatment.

That may not have been the best choice. None of my other choices were any better and we've accumulated quite a collection of sunscreen over the last year and a half.
 
I recently came across the Environmental Working Group's guide Skin Deep: Sunscreens 2012. I started looking at the ratings and realized that the Neutrogena products started at a three (moderate risk) and got worse.  The one we've been using almost exclusively is rated a 7, which is the lowest rating it can get and still be in the high risk category.

Risk of what you might ask? Nanomaterials and hormonal disrupters. They're as awesome as they sound. I was particularly disgusted by the bit that explained how certain ingredients "can affect the regulation of the reproductive, nervous, thyroid and immune systems, particularly if exposures occur during pregnancy or childhood." Need to know more? Did you know some sunscreen can increase skin tumor growth and many in the spray form can coat the lungs?

Awesome. I'm super glad we've been using such wonderful stuff.

We'll be buying new sunscreen for the summer, using the EWG's list of best sunscreens to better inform our choices. Maybe we'll even make our own sunscreen. We'll definitely be avoiding the brands that made the Hall of Shame at all costs.  

This post is part of Frugal Ways, Sustainable Days, Works for Me Wednesday, Frugal Friday, Seasonal Celebration Sunday, Natural Parenting Group Blog Hop, and Simple Lives Thursday. 
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9 comments:

  1. We've been using Califorina Baby sunscreen (listed on EWG's best sunscreens), since it's the safest one that's readily available. You can buy it at Target.

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    1. Thanks! I'll have to check it out. I think we have some of their body wash : )

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  2. One of my friends is a chemist at L'Oréal and insists this is a real concern. She suggests Khiel's if you want to avoid putting nasty chemicals in your skin (though it's not even slightly waterproof, so reapply often).

    Worth considering, however, is this: the type of UV rays that cause skin cancer are UVB rays. Despite claims, sunscreens of any form, natural or not, do not protect against UVB's (the kind that damage the lower layer of skin cells), only UVA's (the kind that causes a sun burn). The only thing that protects against UVB is melatonin, which is created when you get regular sun exposure (in small doses), on your skin. I'm not sure how this is resolved if your skin is so sensitive that you burn on cue the second you're exposed to the sun, but worth investigating some alternatives so that you can build up melatonin, as it seems that is probably the key factor to protection. Here's info about one of the many studies done on the topic: http://www.spandidos-publications.com/or/17/3/573

    -Antesa

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    1. Antesa,
      As a public health professional (and someone with a family history of skin cancer) who has intensively studied UVA & UVB rays, I'll have to disagree with you on a few of your points:

      1. "the type of UV rays that cause skin cancer are UVB rays."

      UVA rays cause damage like malignancy, which can lead to cancer, so it is misleading to say only UVB rays cause cancer.

      2. "UVB's (the kind that damage the lower layer of skin cells), only UVA's (the kind that causes a sun burn)."

      UVA rays cause wrinkling, tanning, and other damage. However, it is actually UVB rays that cause sun burn.

      3. "The only thing that protects against UVB is melatonin."

      While I agree with you that sunscreen does not protect against UVB, it should be noted that UVB does not penetrate glass, which could be considered a protective factor, and protective clothing can be worn to assist blocking UVB rays. I disagree that one should increase sun exposure to "build up melatonin" in order to counteract UVB damage. However, some sun exposure is important for vitamin D.

      You can learn more about UV rays here.

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  3. Good information and nice links. I will check it before buying the sunscreen again.

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  4. Thank you for your informative article and the link. I will check out the list. i am super fair and am wondering what I have been slathering on myself all these years in the name of safety.

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  5. I love this post! I am also very much into sharing EWG's data on sunscreen. I felt as angry as you when I first learned of how much we've been swindled by sunscreen companies.

    I'm actually moving away from putting sunscreen on my kids at all; however, it should be noted that I live in Boston, the land where the sun never shows its face until June. On sunny days or when we're at the beach, I choose to protect my family with shade (beach tent or umbrella), clothing, hats, and sunglasses. We also limit the amount of time we stay outside during peak hours from 10am to 4pm.

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  6. I make my own sunscreen. My son is allergic to sunscreen so I don't buy it. Check my blog for the recipe that I use. I use all natural ingredients and it works great.
    http://creationsbydina.blogspot.com/2012/04/natural-sunscreen.html

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  7. Thanks for sharing this valuable information on Natural Mother's Seasonal Celebration Sunday- it's scary stuff!

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