Sunscreen aims to protect you from cancer, not cause it. Last spring, the independent laboratory Valisure made public the results of a thorough study on sunscreen, which were quite alarming. Out of the 294 sunscreen samples tested, 78 contained benzene, highly toxic chemical exposure to which can result in leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma. What is unsettling is that only ten sunscreens have been taken off the market so far, which means that a lot of the products sold are still contaminated with benzene.
Unfortunately, in addition to the issue of benzene, there are other things you should consider when purchasing sunscreen, as this product comes in many formulations and types, some of which can pose a danger to your health in the long run. The following are four tips on choosing the safest, most effective sunscreen, which you should apply every time you go outside, rain or shine.
1. Avoid the Sunscreens Containing Benzene
It is essential to know that benzene is not one of the ingredients found in sunscreen, so you will not be able to avoid the tainted products just by reading their labels. While it is not entirely clear how benzene ended up in the sunscreen of so many companies, the culprit is most likely manufacturing contamination. However, you can find a complete list of the sunscreens in which benzene was found lurking near the end of this official Valisure document.
Some of the most popular sunscreens contaminated with benzene are Sun Bum, Fruit of the Earth, Raw Elements, Goodsense, Banana Boat, Ethical Zinc, Babyganics, Walgreens, La Roche-Posay, and Equate. Johnson & Johnson recalled five sunscreens made by Aveeno and Neutrogena, whereas Coppertone also took off the shelves five sunscreens, so you no longer have to worry about these brands.
2. Opt for a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Contrary to popular belief, SPF is not the main factor you should base your decision on when buying sunscreen. Even if the product has a high SPF, it will fail to protect you against UVA and UVB rays if the sunscreen is not broad-spectrum. While UVA rays are primarily responsible for wrinkles, premature skin aging, and skin cancer, UVB rays cause sunburns.
To benefit from complete protection against all the damages exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to, it is best to opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which is not difficult to find. Whether the sunscreen is chemical or mineral, you will find the product you are seeking in a broad-spectrum formulation.
3. Choose Mineral Sunscreen Over Chemical Sunscreen
The difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen is that the former is absorbed by your skin, where it breaks down U.V. rays, while the latter acts as a shield, remaining on the surface of your skin and deflecting U.V. rays. Because it requires time to be absorbed by your skin, chemical sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside. Nevertheless, chemical sunscreen is also dangerous because most of these products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as:
In addition to being endocrine disruptors, these chemicals might also cause lower testosterone levels, higher cancer risk, respiratory tract irritation, skin irritation, organ toxicity, and severe eye irritation. On the other hand, mineral sunscreen contains two very safe and reef-friendly ingredients – zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They are equally effective in protecting you from ultraviolet radiation, and they will not cause you any health problems over the years.
Although most sunscreen on the American market is chemical, you can still find mineral sunscreen. If you have difficulties finding a safe, non-toxic, benzene-free sunscreen, you can now receive a great product by virtue of the Benzene Sunscreen Replacement Initiative from ethical companies that manufacture the sunscreen you are looking for! You must fill out the form at the bottom of the page, and someone will contact you shortly.
4. Buy a Sunscreen with SPF 30
A sunscreen with SPF 15 offers 93% protection against ultraviolet radiation, whereas one with SPF 30 provides 97% protection. Using a product with a higher SPF is unnecessary, as the protection percentage of those products is almost the same as that of a sunscreen with SPF 30. If you use sunscreen with SPF 15, you risk not protecting your skin appropriately. You might not apply enough product, or you may forget to reapply every 2 hours, as recommended, or every 40 minutes if you are spending time in the water.
Therefore, choosing to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 is ideal, as not only do those with a higher SPF fail to provide greater protection, but they are usually more expensive. Finally, you should apply sunscreen abundantly until you see a layer on your skin, whether you use lotion, spray, or gel. The ideal amount is 2 milliliters per square centimeter of skin, equivalent to a shot glass of sunscreen.
Sunscreen: An Invisible Accessory to be Warn Daily
Every day, approximately 9,500 people receive a skin cancer diagnosis, the most common malignant disease in the U.S. The sad thing about this statistic is that skin cancer is among the few preventable cancers, and the only way to do this is by wearing sunscreen every time you spend more than 15 minutes outside, whether it is summer or winter. You should apply sunscreen on all the skin areas that are going to be exposed to sunlight and your face, lips, and scalp to ensure you are fully protected.
About the Author
Jonathan Sharp is the CFO at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., a law firm specializing in toxic exposure located in Birmingham, Alabama.
