There’s this amazing organization- Environmental Working Group- that seeks to make sure that our everyday products are safe to use… You might be shocked at some things they have found over the last several years. Since we are in the peak of summertime, I thought you might want some info on choosing the right sunscreen for your family. Here’s some info:
EWG’s investigation of 742 beach and sport sunscreens finds that 3 out of 5 contain chemicals that may pose health hazards or don’t adequately protect skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Some of the worst offenders are leading brands like Coppertone, Banana Boat, and Neutrogena.
Most people trust that the claims on the bottle will ensure that the product truly protects their health and their families’. Nothing could be less certain. Until FDA strengthens and finalizes sunscreen safety standards first drafted 31 years ago, consumers can’t be confident that products on store shelves are safe and effective.
We found 58 sunscreens claiming SPFs from 55-100+ that might tempt you to stay out longer in the sun, but they block just 1 to 2% more sunburn rays than an SPF 30 sunscreen. These products violate FDA’s sunscreen safety standards.
Five percent of high SPF sunscreens (SPF of at least 30) protect only from sunburn (UVB radiation), and provide poor protection from UVA, the sun rays linked to skin damage and aging, immune system problems, and potentially skin cancer. FDA does not require that sunscreens guard against UVA radiation.
Click here to see how your family’s sunscreen is rated- and whether what you are slathering all over your body and your kids’ bodies is safe. Remember: our skin absorbs 80% of everything we put on it. Do you want toxins absorbed into your body? Just because the FDA allows something to stay on shelves does not make it safe. Hello… they allow cigarettes, alcohol, junk food to be sold in massive numbers daily. And since when do we trust the government with our bodies and our health?
Before you brush this off as hippie nonsense, remember last week when news broke nationwide about the danger of drinking bottled water? Guess who exposed that truth… EWA. Just inform yourself and make the decisions best for your family and your kiddos.
… Stepping down off the soap box…
