Your Sunscreen Might Be Doing More Harm Than Good.
Back in 2017, the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) released their annual guide on sunscreens and SFP regulations and found that almost 1,500 sunscreens, moisturizers, and lip balms that contained anything SPF related contained troubling ingredients and found them to be ineffective.
73% to be exact.
Now, while these ingredients seem concerning, do not be too alarmed. Ingredients like Oxybenzone which is a known “hormone disruptor ” if you consume it and in huge amounts. In order for us humans to absorb vast amounts we’d have to apply sunscreen on our face, neck, and hands every single day for over 200 years.
The real issue with sunscreen in the US is the actual protection it has against the UV rays. While they say that broad-spectrum is “the best” for overall protection to slowing down the process of skin aging, and UVB (linked to sunburns) and skin cancer it might not be entirely true.
Sunscreens sold in the US tend to mislabel their “shielding” abilities aka broad spectrum. You see Avobenzone, one of the primary ingredients used to shield us from UVA rays in non-mineral based sunscreens, is only limited to 3% in the amount it can be used.
Meaning if you're using SPF 30 it has the same amount of UVA protection as one labeled as SPF 100.
In comparison to the EU where UVA protection is regulated to be ⅓ as potent as its SPF rating. Meaning that SPF 30 needs to contain at least 10% of UVA protection. In addition when compared to the EU, Australia and other countries the US has one of the most outdated active ingredients. 16 ingredients whereas the EU has over 27 ingredients that can be used for Sunscreen.
In addition half of the 800 beach and sport sunscreens the EWG reviewed over the years aren’t strong enough to be sold overseas. This is troubling because when we apply or spray sunscreen on our skin we are getting less protection than we think. This can lead to major skin damage that we are not able to notice right away and see. So while you're soaking up the sun and not getting burned the UVA rays can still sink into your skin.
Back to the marketing tactics on sunscreen:
While shopping at stores, pharmacies, and simply anywhere sunscreen based products are available, know that any sunscreen over SPF 50 is typically a marketing strategy and that it is just as effective as SPF 30. You see, SPF 30 is actually shown to protect against 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 is just 1% higher (98%).
No SPF will completely protect you at 100%.
So remember this when you are shopping for SPF now that spring and summer is coming along. SPF 100 is not twice as strong as SPF 50.
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In a statement from David Andrews, senior scientist at EWG he stated that,
"SPF values over 50, mislead people into thinking they are completely protected from sunburn and long-term skin damage. "Instead they may encourage people to spend more time in the sun, exposing themselves to more, not less ultraviolet rays. And, you know, not reapply as often.”
Now don’t be down about your sunscreen options nor protection. Some protection is better than no protection and sunscreen still plays a vital role for our skincare and health. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation we should be wearing a broad-spectrum formula of SPF 15 everyday and use SPF 30 or more when outside for long periods of time.
So how can we be safer?
You can start by using a mineral sunscreen instead of regular US sunscreens to avoid chemical risks. Also keep a reminder to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours if you are outside and are sweating or swimming. In addition when choosing a sunscreen it’s important to read the ingredients carefully.
Here are a few sunscreens we recommend for safe protection against the UVA/B rays.
The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection Sun Cream SPF 30 (body)
UnSun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30 (face)
Saie Sunvisor (face)
Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 (body)
Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 (for kids)
All Good Kid’s Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 (for kids)