10 Disturbing Sunscreen Secrets (Page 2)

3. SPF Doesn’t Always Block UVA Rays
The magic number shown on the bottle refers only to a sunscreen’s ability to block the sunburn-inducing UVB rays, not to be confused with UVA rays, the ones that cause wrinkles and skin cancer (though excessive exposure to both rays can lead to skin cancer). The FDA is considering a set of guidelines that would use a four-star system to rate a sunscreen’s effectiveness against UVA rays. In the meantime, check the ingredients on the bottle for one of these UVA blockers:

Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide: These ingredients are famous for their UVA blockage, and new formulas won’t leave you with a Casper-like film on your face. Try Episencial’s Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35 Water-Resistant Protection for Face and Body.

Avobenzone (a.k.a. Parsol 1789): This common UVA fighter is among the most effective chemical-based blockers. Choose one like MDSolarSciences No Touch Body Spray SPF 40.

Ecamsule (a.k.a. Mexoryl SX): This chemical ingredient is 3.8 times more protective than avobenzone and has long been a staple in European and Canadian sunscreens. It’s now available in a few American blocks, including La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios line and L’Oreal’s Ombrelle line. But it’s not cheap–a 3.4-ounce bottle of La Roche-Posay costs $30 (laroche-posay.us).

4. Sunscreen Expires
If you pull a half-empty, sand-caked tube of last summer’s sunscreen out of your beach bag, check the expiration date before using it. Most sunscreens are designed with specially formulated stabilizers that protect its potency for up to three years, but that’s assuming you didn’t let it bake for days in your backyard. “Leaving sunblock in intense heat for a prolonged amount of time may make it less effective,” says Mitchell Chasin, M.D., medical director of Reflections Center for Skin and Body in New Jersey and fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. So store sunblock in a cool place, and while you’re at the beach, keep it in the shade.

Sunscreen myths busted

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Read more: Beauty, Family, General Health, Health, Holistic Beauty, Natural Remedies, Skin Care, aging, skin cancer, SPF, summer, UV rays, UVA, UVB, vitamin D

Duane B.

9:40AM PST on Jan 24, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

January 24
send a green star

Zee K.

9:52PM PDT on Jul 23, 2012

I live in Arizona and it's hot. Even in the winter time, the sun in Arizona is dangerous.

I don't use sun screen. I think it harms the skin.

I eat almonds and carry a golf umbrella that is BBBBIIIIIIIGGGGG!!!! I see women walking along with regular umbrellas and they don't know their arms are hanging out in the sun!

I'm almost 70 and I don't have skin cancer. In fact, in the past, I spent a lot of time in the sun.
I don't have cancer. I use almonds and a HHHUUUGGGEEE umbrella. In the day time it protects me from the sun. At night, it protects me from........no body bothers an old lady with a BIG!!! umbrella as long as I stay in safe areas. lol

July 23
send a green star

KAREN L.

12:25AM PDT on May 14, 2012

thanks

May 14
send a green star

Emily D.

6:22PM PDT on Jul 10, 2011

All this is very true. Go to EWG.com/Skin Deep and u can see their best rated sunscreens. I use Badger.

July 10
send a green star

Kathy W.

2:23AM PDT on Jul 10, 2011

When I was a child, there was NOT much consciousness of the importance of sun protection, and NOT much available in the way of useful sunscreens. (Yeah, OK, there was the dreaded stark white zinc oxide stuff that lifeguards coated their noses with!) So, in fact, much has actually improved in the last several decades. At least now there is a choice of many suncreens, some (unfortunately not all) of which are reasonably efficacious and safe.

Debra F.

5:59AM PDT on Jun 26, 2011

I USE THE ALBA BOTANICA FRAGRANCE FREE AND IT IS WONDERFUL TO USE, PROTECTS MY SKIN AND HELPS KEEP MY FACE YOUNGER LOOKING. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

June 26
send a green star

Simon V.

11:32AM PDT on Jun 21, 2011

I honestly never thought of the possible harm sunscreen could do... thank you for that!

June 21
send a green star

Christina F.

11:25PM PDT on Jun 19, 2011

Found article very informative. Thanks!!

June 19
send a green star

11:12AM PDT on Jun 17, 2011

It's a bi-polar universe.

Evil is live spelled backwards.

Same letters but how are they used.

What's good is bad for you and what's
bad is good for you.

It all depends on how you spell.

Live is evil spelled backwards.

Each thing in its place is best.

There is a time for everything under the sun.

Ah, well...