What they're not telling you about sunscreens

Added 22.07.2008

Ever wonder why, despite applying plenty of sunscreen, you still get burned? The answer is quite simple: the Environmental Working Group, a US nonprofit organisation, has released a study of nearly 1,000 brand-name sunscreens that reveals four out of five don't adequately protect consumers. The investigation found that leading brands including Neutrogena, Coppertone and Banana Boat were in fact the poorest performers.

Why are sunscreens failing to protect us from the sun?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is composed of UVA and UVB, both of which can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer when we overexpose ourselves to the sun. The Food and Drug administration doesn't require sunscreens to protect against both, just against UVB. Consequently, the majority of sunscreens on the market only offer UVB protection.

Key sunscreen ingredient unsafe

If that's not bad enough, the Environmental Working Group's analyses of chemicals used in sunscreens have revealed that they are toxic and hazardous to our health. Oxybenzone in particular, is a popular UV filter used in many sunscreens that can penetrate the skin and lead to hormone disruption, cancer and low birth weight in infant girls.

The alternative

Other than exposing yourself responsibly and moderately to the sun, there are natural ways in which to protect yourself from sunburns, skin damage and the risk of skin cancer. Recent studies suggest that beta-carotene offers protection against sunburns and for each additional month of supplementation, the degree of sunburn protection increases. Click the following link to read the full article:Stop sunburns with beta-carotene

Resveratrol, a key ingredient in grape seed extract and a powerful antioxidant, has been found in recent studies to reduce the risk of skin cancer by up to 65 percent.

Participants in the studies taking resveratrol supplements were also, on average, 13.2 percent less burned than the placebo group.

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