my care2
make a difference
healthy & green living: more than 5,000 ways to enhance your life

customize your free newsletter

Customize your Healthy & Green Living newsletter now


Do You Know What’s In Your Sunscreen?

posted by Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine Jul 1, 2009 9:04 am

Is your Sunscreen Hurting Coral Reefs?

Many salt-water parks that offer snorkeling now are requiring visitors to use biodegradable sunscreen. Although there is no conclusive research that sunscreen ingredients harm marine life, it makes sense that they could pose a risk, says Bryan Dias from the Reef Environmental Education Foundation in Florida. “[Sunscreen] is pretty viscous; it doesn’t really break down,” he says. “Coral, for example, needs a certain temperature and amount of light, plus salinity within a narrow range, to grow. Putting a large amount of anything in the water can change that,” he says. Fortunately, most sunscreens sold under the natural label are biodegradable because they do not contain petroleum-based products. But make sure you reapply your sunscreen often when using this type of product, since it tends to dissolve more easily and may lose its effectiveness.

One excellent solution good for both you and the coral reefs, Dias says, is to opt for swim clothing that offers UVA and UVB protection. For more information, go to: www.coolibar.com, www.solareclipse.com, www.sunfriendlyproducts.com or www.sunchasers.com.

Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health, Balanced Living offers its readers the latest news on health conditions, herbs and supplements, natural beauty products, healing foods and conscious living. Click here for a free sample issue.

More on General Health (251 articles available)
More from Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine (140 articles available)

17 comments

17 comments

add your comment »
17 comments add your comment
Elizabeth Koeppe

I am happy to say that I use a sunscreen that is non-toxic to humans and the planet! I have also found a skin care line the is scientifically proven to block ALL free radicals!

Mar Va
  • Mar Va says
  • Jul 22, 2009 1:33 PM

Most of the sunscreens available on the market block damaging radiation through a concoction of different chemical ingredients. These products are normally in the forms of creams or sprays. Once sunscreen is applied onto the skin, the chemicals work to both reflect and scatter the radiation, or absorb it. In recent years, there have been many questions raised about the safety and effectiveness of these chemicals. Some scientists claim these chemicals produce free radicals, which actually increase skin damage and the risk of skin cancer, rather than lowering it. Another concern is that these synthetic chemicals may accumulate in the human body, and can actually reach the blood stream by being absorbed through the skin. Since the goal of using a sunscreen is to protect the body, and not harm it, many consumers have turned to using organic sunscreen to protect their families.

Cindy P.

Sun protection AND exposure is much easier than we think; research, phobias, etc...over the last few decades have confused the topic.
http://www.wabisabibaby.com/blog/2009/common-sense-sun-protection-and-homemade-sunscreens/
Common sense sun awareness, the way our grandparents and people all over the world cope with sun exposure in the absence of readily available sunscreen, remains the most practical approach. As for sunscreen, conventional zinc oxide is still the safest sunscreen even though it is not currently marketed as a sunscreen. You do not even need a thick white coat to be protected. Even a thin layer will offer some degree of protection. Plain zinc oxide ointments are also much cheaper than any zinc oxide sunscreen product on the market. If you don't like the whitish tint, you can also make your own zinc oxide sunscreen and tint it with iron oxides and mica (same concepts as diy mineral makeup). It is also unclear which came first: consumer demand or the availability and marketing of the cheaper clear sunscreens.

Kelly c.

I appreciate the differences mentioned between sun screens and sun blocks. However, it is not true that UV rays are causing cancer. Rather, the chemicals absorbed into the skin actually encourages cancer mutations.

Another point is, the human body NEEDS some daily sunshine (up to 7 to 15 mins a day is sufficient). Lack of sunshine means the body does not create its own natural Vitamin D. Vitamin D works in synergy with calcium, magnesium and other enzymes; without these absorption of vitamins and nutrients are interfered. An interference with body's metabolism will affect/compromise the body's immunity.

People who do not visit beaches, tanning salons etc and who use sun screens or sun blocks are not protected more from Cancer, in fact the opposite is true.

As for freckles or age spots, they're caused by Omega 6 oils (cooking oils) and iron reacting to free radicals. They are not caused by exposure to sunlight either.

More info, please google for: K "V" Van Cleef , Dr. Raymond Peat and Dr. Kradjian

Keely and Kent M.

Great topic---something we want to start researching!!!

megan m.

I'm boycotting these click-through-multiple-page articles.
SO unnecessary.


Elizabeth Koeppe

I use a sunscreen that is nontoxic to humans and the environment and it is very effective!

Maurice S.

Our phobia of the sun is crazy. Our ancestors did NOT have the cancer rates we have nowadays, and by screening our body against the sun, we are blocking our own access to a very important vitamin, Vitamin D3! Studies are being done currently about the importance of this vitamin.

Laura S.

Again with multiple pages. And the entire article is not even on the last page. (I tried the "click on the left arrow" trick. It didn't work.) Why do you keep doing this?

Rick S.

Obviously there is more confusion than ever in sunscreens. I do applaud Anna for covering very succinctly the important things you should know about sunscreens. Here at Soléo Organics, we strive to adhere to the highest organic standards and efficacy when it comes to premium natural sunscreen protection. Soléo was just named the number one safest sunscreen today by the Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org. OH, AND HAPPY 4TH!

Please enter your comment.
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

1012419

Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved