Nearly 67% of Sunscreens Don’t Work!

Sunscreen is a summer essential for beach and pool lovers. The sun can provide a beneficial dose of Vitamin D, but too much can cause serious damage to your skin. However, a new 2018 report released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed shocking findings about these ‘protective products’ that has consumers puzzled in the sunscreen aisle…nearly 67 percent of sunscreens don’t work!

 

Horrifying Reaction to Sunscreen Toxins

In May 2017, a Canadian mother applied a Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 on her 14-month-old daughter’s nose and cheeks. Within 24 hours, the mother noticed her daughter’s face developed severely swollen blisters. A dermatologist later diagnosed the blistering as a second-degree chemical burn from the toxins found in the sunscreen- the product that was supposed to protect this child from similar effects caused by the sun!

 

Is Sunscreen Causing More Damage Than Good?

For as long as sunscreen has been on the market, consumers have been told to use it whenever in the sun and to reapply often. Sunscreen is supposed to protect our bodies from the sun’s harmful effects such as skin cancer, wrinkling, skin aging, sunburns, and even cataracts. But what safety groups like EWG are finding is not only are sunscreen products falling short of these protections, most U.S. products contain harmful chemicals causing further health concerns, such as:

  • Hormone disruptions
  • Altered birth weight
  • Serious skin allergies
  • Reproductive and thyroid alterations
  • Behavioral changes
  • Inhalation concerns
  • Instability in the sunlight
  • False sense of security (only protecting form sunburns, not sun cancer)

Living by the philosophy that some sunscreen is better than none may lead you down a dangerous path. Not all sunscreens are created equal and knowing which sunscreens you can trust and which you should keep out of your beach bag will immensely increase your chances of protecting your skin and health this summer.

 

Best and Worst Sunscreens on the Market

EWG conducted a widespread study of American brand sunscreens to test for protection against harmful sun damage and health concerns due to toxic ingredients. Here are some of the brands that met EWG’s criteria for best sunscreens:

 

Best Sunscreen Brands

  • Alba Botanica (5 products)
  • All Good (7 products)
  • Aveeno (2 products)
  • Babo Botanicals (4 products)
  • Babyganics (2 products)
  • Badger (12 products)
  • Bare Republic (11 products)
  • COOLA (4 products)
  • CoTZ (4 products)
  • Goddess Garden (11 products)
  • Kabana Organic Skincare (8 products)
  • Love Sun Body (4 products)
  • MDSoalr Sciences (7 products)
  • Neutrogena (4 products)
  • Raw Elements USA (4 products)
  • sunmbra (4 products)
  • thinksport (4 products)
  • Tropical Sands (4 products)
  • True Natural (6 products)
  • Waxhead Sun Defense (5 products)

 

Best Sunscreens for Kids

  • Adorable Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30+
  • All Good Kid’s Sunscreen, SPF 30
  • Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen, Sensitive Skin, SPF 50
  • Badger Kids Sunscreen Cream, Tangerine & Vanilla, SPF 30
  • Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, Baby, SPF 50
  • Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Baby, SPF 30+
  • BurnOut Kids Sunscreen, SPF 35
  • California Baby Calendula Sunscreen, SPF 30+
  • COOLA Suncare Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50
  • Equate Baby Zinc Sunscreen Mineral Lotion, SPF 50
  • Goddess Garden Organics Kids Sport Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
  • Hawaiian Sol Sol Kid Kare, SPF 50
  • Kiss My Face Organics Kids Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
  • MDSolarSciences KidCreme Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 40
  • Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50
  • Nurture My Body Baby Organic Sunscreen, SPF 32
  • Sunology Mineral Sunscreen, Kids, SPF 50
  • thinkbaby Sunscreen, SPF 50+
  • thinksport Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50+
  • Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
  • TruBaby Water & Play Sunscreen, SPF 30+
  • TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30
  • Waxhead Sun Defense Baby Zinc Oxide Sunscreen, SPF 35 (6)

The EWG also listed sunscreens that failed to meet the safety standards based on toxicity levels and inability to appropriately protect skin against the sun. Here are sunscreens to avoid purchasing this summer:

 

Worst 10 Sunscreens to Buy (Adults)

  • Panama Jack Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 85
  • Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen, SPF 60+
  • CVS Health Sun Lotion, SPF 60
  • Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Spray, SPF 15, 30 & 50
  • Panama Jack Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 15, 30 & 70
  • NO-AD Sun Care Sport Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50
  • Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50 & 85+
  • Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Spray, SPF 30
  • Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 70, 85+ & 100+
  • Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 70, 85+ & 100+

 

Worst 10 Sunscreens to Buy (Kids)

  • Banana Boat Kids Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100
  • Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
  • Coppertone Water Babies Foaming Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 70
  • Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous AccuSpray, SPF 70
  • Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50
  • Coppertone Wet’n Clear Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50+
  • Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
  • CVS Health Kids Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 50 & 70
  • Equate Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
  • Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+

For more on product ratings, take a look at EWG’s complete list of sunscreens on the market rated from 1-10 for safety.

 

Avoid Tricky Marketing

If you can’t remember the brands of sunscreen that are most recommended by the experts when it comes time to purchase some, being aware of tricky marketing schemes will help reduce your chances of buying a harmful or ineffective product.

Look for products with protective properties on the label such as:

  • UVA (Ultraviolet A) Protection- causes skin aging and cancer
  • UVB (Ultraviolet B) Protection- causes sunburns and more intense than UVA
  • Broad Spectrum- protects against UVA and UVB
  • Water resistant- can last in the water up to a certain time period

Be extra cautious of products that contain promised protections unregulated by the FDA, including:

  • Natural
  • Sport
  • Waterproof
  • Dermatologist Recommended
  • Pediatrician Recommended
  • 100% SPF (higher SPF’s are often false)

Products with these terms on the label often attract consumers because they make the products seem as if they work better. In reality, any company can put these terms on their label with no proof that their products do what they claim.

 

Don’t Get Burned By Sunscreen Companies

If you plan to spend any time in the sun this summer, don’t take a chance on the cheapest sunscreen around. Do your research to make sure you and your family are protected from both the sun and harmful chemicals this season.

 

If you or a loved one has experienced a severe or dangerous reaction to a sunscreen product, Siler & Ingber is ready to help. Our winning team will provide a free case evaluation to determine what compensation you could be eligible as a result of personal damages suffered. Contact us today to discuss your case and seek justice against greedy companies who put consumers in harm’s way.

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