Life Features
By April MacIntyre Jul 4, 2008, 20:12 GMT
New study reveals the best sunscreens to buy
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Older Talkback
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As someone that is HIGHLY allergic to titanium dioxide and other metals I must use sunscreens that do not contain that ever present ingredient. I hope that the FDA does not ban alternate sunscreens.
Look at the source, The Environmental Working Group. I did and came away with doubts as to the accuracy of their study.
After last year's high rating of Badger, I ordered two tubes from their internet site. I applied it fairly heavily before tennis one day, and stayed outside for about an hour. I do not feel that the sunscreen worked well at all, because I ended up being noticably pink a few hours later. A week later I tried the Badger again, and the same thing happened.
My Dermatologist recommended a Neutrogena product (SPF 70) and it worked extremely well. I don't know if it has any dangerous side effects, but I can't imagine anything working better to prevent sun burn.
I was told by lots of people that La Roche-Posey the Anthelios XL is one of the best sunscreens along with Ombre. Most derms just do not research what is out there and go by what free samples are given out by pharm sellers. One Derm in NYC that is supposed to be oe of the best in the biz gave me some lame cream for a cut on my lip. After not heaing and 350.00 out, I went to someone else, who actually looked at the cut, gave me a script and within 2 weeks the cut was healed. I realy didn't have confidence in either. My friend's derm tod her about the above sunscreen 6 years ago. of course to get an appt. with her takes now months. wonder why. Because she actually pays attention, does not just accept routie information but actually wants to read and find out about things.
who has that much confidence in the FDA anyway?
This study seems to be influenced by the manufacturers rather than
by the any kind of Dermatology people. There are compounds that are
definately better for UVB and UBA protection..
The Arbonne 15 Save face and body works very well. And it's not bad to burn you eyes. The 30 sun block works very well also. Both are easy on your skin.
I highly recommend Blue Lizard. It's been studied extensively and it works. As a nurse I recommend it to people all the time.
I've been using Alba Botanica for 2-3 years and am very happy with it. I put it on my face all summer and my arms when I plan to be out in the sun. I spend so much time outdoors that my arms still get brown, but my face tends to stay white. Almost looks weird sometimes. I do wear a straw hat at times. However, I have very fair skin and have not been burned in ages.
Alba Botanica is organic and has a light lavender scent which is supposed to be somewhat insect repellent also.
The Blue Lizard stuff kept me from burning-- good news. The sensitive skin version left my face bumpy and rashy-- not so good news.
I surf everyday in the warm California sun. Growing up surfing as a kid we spent years in the sun with no protection (sunscreen wasn't around yet)Now it is something that we take very seriously. Zinc Oxide is the only sunscreen that protects you from UVA & UVB rays yet it seems to be left out of the list. Maybe the manufacture didn't sweeten the deal enough to make the list. This kind of seems like a press release with a hidden agenda. (advertising)
'The best blocker will include ingredients like opaque compounds titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which come in skin colors other than old school surfer boy white. Micronizing technology makes both appear more transparent on the skin.'
CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 45+
What about my favorite, Bull Frog?? Why wasn't it in the study??
from the EWG:: LIST STUDY
• Bull Frog
Displaying 1-9 of 9 sunscreens
score key -- 0-2: low hazard | 3-6: moderate hazard | 7-10: high hazard
product overall score sorted in increasing order concerns
1. Bull Frog Surfer Formula Gel, SPF 36 water resistant 3 oxybenzone, fragrance
2. Bull Frog The Quick Stick, SPF 36 water resistant 3 oxybenzone, fragrance
3. Bull Frog Superblock Lotion, SPF 45 water resistant, titanium 7 oxybenzone, fragrance
4. Bull Frog The Quik Gel Sport Spray, SPF 36 water resistant 7 oxybenzone, spray, fragrance
5. Bull Frog The Quik Gel, SPF 36 water resistant 7 oxybenzone, fragrance
6. Bull Frog Mosquito Coast, Sunblock with Insect Repellent, SPF 30 7 oxybenzone, fragrance
7. Bull Frog Kids UV Defender Fast Blast Spray, SPF 36 water resistant 7 oxybenzone, spray, fragrance
8. Bull Frog Marathon Mist Continuous Spray Sunblock, SPF 36 7 oxybenzone, spray, fragrance
9. Bull Frog Marathon Mist for Kids Continuous Spray Sunblock, SPF 36 7 oxybenzone, spray, fragrance
Wow! Guess I'll have to find a new favorite.
For the benefit of your readers, you need to add Anthelios to your 'best sunscreens' post.
Adequate protection against skin cancer requires a minimum SPF of SPF 30 and >3% Mexoryl. [If you want more details, do a search under 'why anthelios sunblock is a great choice for you']
Taking advice given by a member of the water buffalo intelligencia, I coat my sun exposed skin daily with a thin layer of organically processed wallow mud. Not only am I 100% protected from UVA and UVB, I am never troubled biting insects. Moreover, when the earthly casing is showered away at the end of a long day of athletic, agroeconomic, and culturally relevant activities, my skin has enjoyed a tremendous firming and cleansing rejuvenation. Admirers who claim that I appear no older than 30 years are shocked to learn that I am, in fact, 97. No cosmetic or pharmaceutical company has made a thin dime on my integument nor upon my non-existent vanity. Consider becomming a mudder-ficianado. Just be careful about the pronunciation.
This article is complete garbage with too many factual errors to count. The EWG it a looney left new age political group with its own idealistic agenda and no interest in the facts. There are few sources for the up to date truth about sunscreen ingredients. One good one is Paula Begoun's www.cosmeticscop.com and Paula doesn't agree with the conclusions the EWG. Since I thought their study seemed suspicious, I had written to her over this very issue last week. The only decent aspect of this article is the after comment left by the mud wallower. A rare example of a person with wit trawling around the cybersphere.
For those who go diving and wear sun screen newer studies seem to show a detrimental effect by most products on living coral. The zinc compounds have the least effect on the coral polyps. I am sure there will be more information about this in the future, but while you are protecting your skin, protect our reefs as well!
The article isn't complete garbage, the EWG makes good points regarding the toxicity levels of chemicals in the sunscreen products people slather all over themselves.
AND the EWG insists on UVA and UVB protection combined which is why the biggies like Coppertone failed so miserably.
Re-read, the author promotes the use of common sense, no sun during the worst hours,and other physical barriers.
The visual of Magda is worth a thousand words to young girls who think sunbathing is a good idea.
However, that said, mud baths do work nicely for the water buffalo and elephants. Hilarious.
The EWG has a natural cosmetic agenda for sure, but their study is most certainly not 'garbage'
Maybe you work for Neutrogena or Banana boat?
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