What’s Your SPF? The Dangers of Sunscreen {2013 Update: A Gentle Reminder to Do Your Research Before You Buy}

Rays of Light {Seen & Unseen}

 

Spring finally reared her pretty, sunny head this weekend. We've been waiting a while for her to grace us with her fair beauty. In celebration, we spent most of the day outside on Saturday, basking in the golden rays, soaking up the warmth and relishing the feeling of sun on our bare skin. I guess we soaked up a bit too much sunlight because Saturday evening I noticed the tell-tale pink spread across the Darlings' cheeks and noses and forearms; the first sunburn of the season.

Now I'm not one to take health and safety risks, as you, dear readers, well know. But, it has been a long, cold winter here in Minnesota; longer and colder than most in recent memory. The sun has been shrouded by clouds and snow much of the past 7 months. On the days there was pure sunlight the temperature was generally hovering in the single digits with below zero wind chills. Even on those days, we got outside to feel the warmth on our faces; that was the only part not covered in protective, winter gear. In Minnesota, you learn to take it when you can get it, regardless of the temperature.

So, you can see why the thought of putting sunscreen on our bare, pallid, winter skin escaped my mind. And yet, I now have been given a not-so-subtle reminder that it's time to buy sunscreen. Yesterday, I did my annual research into the best sunscreens, made a list and went shopping.

Choosing the Best Sunscreen

Buying sunscreen should not be a difficult task. The purpose of this product is to protect skin from the harmful UV rays and prevent skin from being damaged. For years, I bought the cheapest, largest sunscreen I could buy, gingerly applied it to my very pale, very sunburn prone skin, and generally ended up somewhat sunburned. And didn't give too much thought to it. Then, I had a child.

The mere thought of that soft, smooth, very pale baby skin getting burned by the sun made me cringe. I read labels, research and articles. There was an article being circulated by email a few years back with a list of "good" sunscreens.

I recall being at Target trying to remember which ones were on the list when another mom walked up with the very same list printed from an email checking the shelves for the brands that had made the cut. She let me take a peek since I didn't have mine.

The trouble is that most on this list are outrageously expensive and not readily available at drug stores, grocery stores or department stores like Target or Wal-mart. Many are available online or through specialty stores, natural health stores and the like. One on the list I found on the Walgreens' website, available online only, for $52. Outrageous.

The basic premise of "the list" is the inclusion of a key ingredients and the exclusion of several harmful ingredients. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed 1,400 sunscreens, cosmetics, moisturizers and lip balms and graded each one with an explanation of any risk or issue. All top-rated products contain either zinc or titanium minerals to help cut UVA exposures for sunscreen users. None of the top-rated products contain oxybenzone or vitamin A and none are sprayed or powdered.

I managed to find a cheaper, rated at a 2 with minimum cautionary notes, sunscreen at a drug store. At $ 9.99 for 8 fluid ounces, it was the cheapest of the three options I had for a fairly good rating at that store. I have found that I have basically the same options at Target. I bought Coppertone Kids, Pure and Simple with a 50 SPF. Not all Coppertone options get a rating of 2, the lowest given to any of this particular brand. Check the EWG's very comprehensive list with ingredient concerns and details for each of the 1,400 products listed before you stock up for the summer.

The FDA

{*Note: There are new regulations going into effect in June 2012. I'll be writing a post on the new labeling and effectiveness testing soon. Watch for it!**}

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes sunscreen as a drug, rather than a cosmetic. The FDA introduced new proposed rule regarding the standards of formulating, testing and labeling over-the-counter sunscreen with ultraviolet A (UVA responsible for tanning) and ultraviolet B (UVB responsible for sunburns) protection back in 2007.

The proposed regulation creates a consumer friendly rating system for UVA products designed to help consumers identify the level of UVA protection offered by a product. The FDA proposal provides a ratings system for UVA sunscreen products on a scale of one to four stars, but no new regulations have been finalized yet. And yet, it was this proposed rule that generated more awareness of the dangers and issues with some of the chemicals being used in sunscreens and forced the sunscreen industry to make some changes of its own. These changes have been beneficial to the consumer.

SPF

On its site, the FDA notes that many consumers are confused by what SPF stands for and means. To clarify, SPF is the measure of how much solar energy, or UV radiation, is required to produce sunburn on protected skin {skin with sunscreen applied} relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin {no sunscreen applied}. As the SPF number gets higher, sunburn protection also increases.

While SPF does not have to do with the time one is exposed to the sun {ex. SPF 15 sunscreen does not protect someone for 15 hours}, generally it does take less time to get sunburned at midday, rather than in the morning or evening because the sun is more intense during the midday. Consequently, during hours of more intense solar energy, sunscreen would need to be applied more often than at times of decreased solar energy.

Other factors also account for the amount of solar energy a person is exposed to: skin type {a lighter skinned person absorbs more solar energy than a darker skinned person experiencing the same conditions.}; amount of sunscreen applied {more sunscreen equals less solar energy}; and frequency of reapplication {physical activity, heavy perspiration and activity in the water can rub off sunscreen, leaving skin exposed to more solar energy}.

The Scoop

So, until the FDA finalizes the new rules that provide for tighter regulations and clearer and simpler consumer information, refer to EWG's list and research for the best and most affordable choice for sunscreen. Remember that staying out of the sun, covering up with clothing and/or a hat is also advisable even if you apply sunscreen.

Do your best to avoid sunburn and keep an eye out for the FDA's new and well overdue regulations regarding sunscreen labeling and testing. But do get outside and enjoy the spring and summer. Afterall, around here, it really lasts only a few months. Over and out...

Anna

**I will be posting  a new post on the new FDA regs soon as the labels are finally changing.

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Comments

[Heidi]

Thank you for this post! I just bought a Neutrogena product (recommended by a friend and was on sale) and see it's on the "to avoid list". I really thought this was the one! Now I have to buy new sunscreen!