Screening sunscreens
Long summer days beckon you outside, but before responding to the sun’s seasonal call, be aware that more than 1.3 million people in the United States will develop skin cancer this year. It’s no wonder sunscreen is in hot demand. Although some skin-care products can help, others have incomplete UVA or UVB protection or contain toxic ingredients.
Start with natural sun protection—hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirt—and select a safe sunblock for you and your family. The following chart will help you choose when facing a shelf of products.
—Mary Shackelton, MPH, ND
Ingredients to avoid in sunscreen and after-sun products
Ingredient
Why
Benzophenone-3, homosalate, octyl methoxycinnamate, 4 methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), and octyl-dimethyl-PABA
When applied to breast cancer cells in vitro (test tubes), these chemicals increased cancer cell proliferation and growth.
Mineral oil
Pollutes watersheds and is not biodegradable.
PABA
Contributes to allergic reactions and rashes.
Petroleum
Damages and pollutes aquatic environments.
Ingredients to look for in sunscreen and after-sun products
Ingredient
Why
Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
Reduces skin damage from sun radiation.
Titanium oxide
Provides a physical barrier to the sun; does not irritate skin; has light-reflective properties.
Vitamin C
Neutralizes UVA/UVB-induced free radicals.
Vitamin E
Offers antioxidant protection, which reduces cancer risk; slows cell damage; provides anticarcinogenic protection.
Zinc oxide
Protects against UVA and UVB rays.
—M.S.
