Other Scary Truths and Things to Look for
The newest buzz around sunscreen focuses on the sunscreen actually causing cancer. Most doctors agree that the dangers of going in the sun without the sunscreen far outweigh the potential dangers of the cream but here are a few things to look for—and avoid—in your sunscreen.
Avoid: Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
This chemical is form of vitamin A which has started popping up in sunscreens to "minimize the aging effects of the sun". In fact, the only FDA approved wrinkle decreaser Retinol is a highly potent animal form of Vitamin A.Researchers with the National Toxicology Program ran a study which showed that using this ingredient may actually increase the development of tumors and lesions on skin which is exposed to sunlight. The animals used in the study developed these cancerous symptoms 21 percent faster than the animals who weren't exposed—after only nine minutes of midday sun exposure daily.
Retinyl Palmitate is used in at least 40 percent of American sunscreens so check your labels and choose a brand that's free of this potentially harmful ingredient.
Avoid: Oxybenzone and Octinoxate
These chemical blocks are common allergens and lead to allergic contact dermatitis or photocontact dermitis—rashes that occur when chemicals are on the skin and exposed to sunlight. They have also led to "hormone" disruption in lab animals.These ingredients when washed off in rivers and oceans are also killing hard corals which negatively impact biodiversity and reef ecosystems. In fact if you're swimming in anything other than a pool it will help the environment if you choose a block that doesn't include these ingredients or parabens and camphor derivatives.
Look For: Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide, Avobenzone (a.k.a. Parsol 1789) or Ecamsule (a.k.a. Mexoryl SX)
These are the ingredients that will help you battle UVA rays. Ecamsule—used in European and Canadian sunscreens for years—is almost four times more protective then Avobenzone.
Look For: An Expiration Date
Sunscreens expire—especially when exposed to heat which breaks down the chemical ingredients. Check the expiration date and toss it if it smells off or the consistency changes.
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