Which Sunscreen Should I Choose?

[Guest guest]

Which Sunscreen Should I Choose?

by Vincent Standley

A Reader Asks The Green Guide:

 

I am deciding on a sunscreen for my family and I am having difficulty making a

decision. I am confused about the safety of titanium dioxide—I've read

conflicting information. Also, what is known about the new ingredient from

Europe, I think it is Anthélios. Please help with as much research information

as possible.

 

The Green Guide Responds:

 

The active ingredients found in most sunscreen products fall into two

categories, according to their function. Chemical agents absorb the sun's

ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes skin cancers and sunburns, converting

it into harmless thermal energy. Physical agents block UV radiation, reflecting

it off the body. Most sunscreen products employ a combination of these two

components. Further, the UV radiation which causes most sunburns is in what's

called the UVB range. Sunscreens are most effective at reflecting or blocking

UVB radiation, but the longer wave UV radiation (UVA) breaks down collagen in

skin, causing the aging effects of sun exposure, and may also increase the risk

of melanoma. The rating sunscreens are given, the sun protection factor (SPF),

indicates the degree of protection from UVB radiation. Choosing a broad-spectrum

sunscreen, which protects against both UVB and UVA, is as important as choosing

one with a high SPF.

 

Zinc and titanium oxides are sun blockers. From the research we've reviewed,

both are effective broad spectrum UV blockers, and though both can be toxic if

ingested, they are not absorbed by living skin cells and are considered safe for

topical use (for products, see below).

 

Anthélios is the product name of sunscreen made by La Roche, which contains a

relatively new chemical agent called Mexoryl. While it has been demonstrated to

to be highly effective against broad spectrum UV radiation, the FDA has yet to

approve the use of Mexoryl in the US. It can be purchased online from Canada,

and a few select pharmacists sell it illegally. But it's not cheap: $11-$40 for

a 100 ml tube. Mexoryl and titanium oxide are ingredients in La Roche-Posay's

Anthélios XL, Garnier's Ambre Solaire and Ombrelle Extreme, all from L'Oréal.

However, they also all contain petroleum-derived paraben preservatives, which

have been found in breast tumors and may disrupt hormones (see " The Dirty Dozen

Ingredients in Personal Care Products " ). For this reason, The Green Guide does

not recommend the current crop of mexoryl-containing sunscreens.

 

Children should use a broad-sprectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher. It

should be applied liberally, and put again after swimming. But sunblock alone

does not provide total protection: Exploit shade, wear appropriate protective

clothing and avoid sustained periods of exposure, especially between 1:00 pm to

4:00 pm. This is even more important for children, who are more vulnerable since

as much as 80% of our total lifetime sun exposure occurs within the first 18

years of life.

 

Products

 

California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen with titanium dioxide (2.9 oz., $18)

www.californiababy.com, 877-576-2825

 

UV Natural SPF 30 with zinc oxide (7 oz. $30) www.isabellacatalog.com

 

Coolibar sun block clothing, www.coolibar.com

 

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=ask & s=sunblock