Why Sunscreen?

The purpose of most sunscreens is to protect you and your family from harmful UVA rays. The active ingredients of sunscreens are formulas created to absorb, reflect, or block harmful ultraviolet light. Sunscreens are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), not as cosmetics but as over-the-counter drugs. They are rated based on their Sun Protection Factor (SPF); the higher the SPF, the better the protection against sunburn.

The Environmental Working Group says that the SPF rating on a sun product is only part of what consumers need to know, and that the biggest problems with sunscreens are that they don‘t offer appropriate protection and that many contain unsafe ingredients.

What does Sunscreen Protect Against?

The sun produces two types of ultra-violet radiation: UVA and UVB rays. It’s important for consumers to understand the difference between them, and the risks associated by both.

UVB rays should be considered the ‘good ray’ that helps in the production of Vitamin D.

UVA is considered the ‘bad ray’ penetrating your skin more deeply and the cause of more free radical damage.  Not only that, but UVA rays are pretty constant during ALL hours of daylight, throughout the entire year – in comparison to UVB rays, which are low in morning and evening, and high at midday and are more directly related to direct sunlight.

If you’ve ever gotten a bad sunburn on a cloudy day, you can now understand why; it’s from the deeply penetrating UVA rays!

What Sunscreen Brands Don’t Want you to Know:

Several leading brands such as: Coppertone, Neutrogena and Banana Boat -- are the poorest performers when it comes to the health and wellness of your skin.

New studies have shown that over use of sunscreen can actually be harmful to your body; such as preventing the production of Vitamin D.  In fact, sunscreens reduce vitamin D production by as much as 97.5 to 99.9 percent!

Most sunscreens are created to help protect us against UVA rays, but do not seem to protect us against the almost constant effects of UVB rays; which have been shown to increase the risk of skin cancer or melanomas.

How to Stay Safe In The Summer Sun:

Be aware of the sunscreen your family relies on in the hot summer months. Try and choose a more natural approach to protecting your skin, including ingredients such as:

• Sunflower oil
• Vitamins A, D and E
• Coconut oil
• Jojoba oil
• Shea butter
• Eucalyptus oil

Resources:

Dr. Mercola, “Four Out of Five Sunscreens May Be Hazardous to Your Health”; http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/01/four-out-of-five-sunscreens-may-be-hazardous-to-your-health.aspx

Organic Consumers Association June 29, 2008 

CNN Health July 1, 2008