How Safe And Effective Is Your Sunscreen
Wise Brothers—-Chattanooga, TN
How Safe And Effective Is Your Sunscreen
How “safe and effective” is your favorite sunblock? According to a new report from the nonprofit EWG (Environmental Working Group) most sunscreens are not safe and effective. Earlier this week EWG posted their annual report on the best sunscreens to buy. And according to their standards, only 1 in 4 sunscreens on the market are actually “safe and effective.”
Now to be clear, that doesn’t mean 75% don’t work. It just means that the sunblocks may not be as safe because of the mix of chemicals they use. There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral-based. And in general, they say mineral-based is better.
Mineral-based is usually the kind you rub on like lotion. They also tend to leave more white streaks you have to rub in. They work by preventing UV rays from hitting your skin. The chemical-based sunscreens, which include most spray-on versions, work by creating a chemical reaction that absorbs UV rays and disperses them as heat.
Both options can prevent a sunburn. But studies have found the chemically based sunscreens can be absorbed into your bloodstream, and can still be detected days or WEEKS later. Chemical-based sunscreens are also worse for the environment and animals. So they say mineral-based is the better option overall.
EWG posted their top sunscreen picks for kids, daily use, and outdoor activities or sports. Most of them are “fancy” versions, not popular brands like Hawaiian Tropic or Banana Boat.
But in general, mineral-based sunblocks have one of these two main ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. You can see how your go-to brand ranked at EWG.org/sunscreen
