A new report shows that most sunscreens in America don’t meet standards for environmental safety and skin protection.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), which is a Washington D.C.-based non-profit that focuses its attention on environmental issues, released its annual Guide to Sunscreens. It found that about 75 percent of products available in the U.S. were not up to standards.
Researchers found that sunscreens often fail to provide adequate protection against skin aging and melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer.
They also contaminate local water supplies with hazardous chemicals, causing harm to coral reefs and other important ecosystems.
EWG warns that 75% of U.S. sunscreens are not adequately protecting the sun or contain harmful ingredients (file photograph).
DailyMail.com’s senior director of cosmetic sciences at EWG, Carla Burns, explained that although these products may protect against sunburn, more serious damage is still being done.
The SPF (or sun protection factor) value on every product is a measure of the product’s ability to prevent burns.
Burns explained that sunscreen is only supposed to protect you against sunburns. But what you aren’t seeing is a correlation with other sun concerns such as skin cancer, skin aging, and skin cancer.
Carla Burns (pictured), from the EWG stated that products that contain zinc oxide as an active ingredient are better for personal and environmental protection.
“While the product may protect you from getting burned or burning, it does not guarantee that it will protect you from other sun-related problems.
Burns says the reason for these product failures is due to the way that sunscreens in America were made – they valued protection against burns above all else.
“It’s based upon” [the]She spoke about the US’s history and how sunscreens were created.
“They were created to protect against sunburns.”
Many manufacturers have modified their products to protect from skin cancer and ageing, but there are not any federal requirements.
Exposure to the sun can lead to skin aging. This is called photoaging. This can lead to skin wrinkles and other damage. It can also cause skin problems that can make the skin look dull.
Dr Kathleen Suozzi from Yale University said that she sees many patients who have suffered severe sunburns. Statement More information about the process.
“They feel their skin has aged them, that they look older than their peers, and that they regret not having been more vigilant about sun protection when they were younger.
According to the EWG products that contain zinc oxide are the best for skin protection and environmental protection.
EWG says that titanium dioxide, another active ingredient in many sunscreens is a safe and effective method to protect your skin.
The EWG recommends that people use sunscreen and that they monitor their sun exposure. They should also wear a hat to protect skin from sunburns and other harmful effects like cancer.
Burns stated that products with SPFs between 15 and 50 are the best. However, higher numbers can have a reverse effect that could lead to people thinking they are safe for prolonged skin contact.
She advises against products containing oxybenzone, because it can cause harm to the environment. It can also cause harm to corals when it interacts.
It has become a major concern over the past years, and some areas have banned the sales of sunscreen products that contain the chemical. Key West in Florida and Hawaii are both home to large coral populations.
Federal limits also apply to the amount of sunscreen that can contain the ingredient in order limit its environmental impact.
Although it may be difficult for most consumers to identify recommended products, it is possible. A lot of packaging has misleading or even non-existent branding language that can fool shoppers.
Burns stated that unfortunately, the burden lies on the consumer.
“We recommend that you not rely on marketing claims alone. The United States uses many terms, including “non-toxic” and “toxic”. [and]The legal definition of natural is not standardized.
“So, one company’s definition of what something means by “natural” can differ from another company’s. We encourage consumers to look at the package and see what ingredients are used.
Burns didn’t mention specific products by name. DailyMail.com did identify two that she considered meeting the guidelines.
Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid comes in SPF 50 and contains titanium dioxide.
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen is also available in SPF 30 or 50 and contains both zinc oxide and titanium dixode as active ingredients.
It would be a mistake to recommend a product such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In sunscreen, which containsoxybenzone.
