Say NO to Oxybenzone in Your Sunscreen

It is time to say goodbye to some of your old stand by sunscreens if you are avoiding putting toxins consciously into your body.

I so appreciate the research and commitment of EWG (Environmental Working Group). Here is something to think about since it is summer and it’s time to consider protecting ourselves from sun burn. You might want to read this article about the body burden Americans have created from wearing sunscreens with oxybenzone. As I have posted before, there are many ways to protect from too much sun, from SPF clothing and hats, to safer sunscreens. I have been the sunscreen police with my kids for years. Interestingly enough, none of them have listened to me. I guess I’m glad about it.

The EWG report cites 2 studies linking cell damage and  free radical formation from sunlight causing oxybenzone to form free radical chemicals. A CDC study indicated that oxybenzone absorbs through the skin in significant amounts and another study showing that 96% of 6-8 year old girls had detectable amounts of the chemical in their urine.  

Since oxybenzone was last tested in the ’70’s it is a very outdated sun protector. I would consider reading all your sunscreens and getting rid of the offenders.

And from the EWG’s comments on the FDA’s proposed amendment on final Monograph, from back in 2007:

“EWG’s research shows that FDA’s finalization of a strong monograph is critical. We found that some sunscreens on the U.S. market:

• offer inadequate protection from the sun;
• may be less safe and effective than products offered in other countries;
• are labeled with misleading product claims;
• contain ingredients with significant safety concerns.

Specifically, our research indicates that 83% of 868 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. We found that only 17% of the products on the market are both safe and effective, blocking both UVA and UVB radiation, remaining stable in sunlight, and containing few if any ingredients with significant known or suspected health hazards.”

You can check the safety of your cosmetics and sunscreens at EWG’s site.

 

 

Safe Cosmetics

Many of us are becoming more conscious about the quality of what we put on our skin. Our skin absorbs anything on it and transfers into our bloodstream. I recently reread the ingredients of my most favorite sunscreen lip gloss and gasped when I discovered “oxybenzone” as one of the ingredients. Oxybenzone has not been tested since the ‘70’s by the FDA and now is know to be a carcinogen…damaging DNA.  I am switching lip gloss brands! My friend Teresa just sent me this link to Organic Diva cosmetics that have been screened for cancer-causing ingredients.