Fashion + Beauty

Thursday, August 21, 2008

So now sunscreen is bad for you!?

The beauty industry is in a tizzy right now due to a report issued by the Cosmetic Safety Database who claims that in an investigation of 952 name brand sunscreens, four out of five offer inadequate sun protection.

Um, whoops.

Their idea is that since the FDA refuses to regulate cosmetic ingredients, they feel like they needed to take it upon themselves to warn consumers of the risks, which in addition to not getting what's advertised on labels, possible health concerns due to potentially hazardous ingredients seeping into your, yes your, bloodstream.

Some industry experts naysay their claims: a New York Times quote on the subject stated: "What they are doing is developing their own system for evaluating things," said Dr. Warwick L. Morison, professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins and chairman of the Skin Cancer Foundation's photobiology committee, which tests sunscreens for safety and effectiveness. "Using this scale to say a sunscreen offers good protection or bad protection is junk science." However, many more, including yours truly, feel that it's high time a largely unregulated market is called into question.

You can view all the product ratings here, but if you're pressed for time, I'll list the top five best bets now.

Keys Soap Solar RX Therapeutic Sunblock SPF 30

Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum SPF 30+

California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance SPF 30 +

California Baby Sunblock Stick Everyday/Year-round SPF 30+

Badger Sunscreen SPF 30

Never heard of any of these? Me neither. A more recognizable name that ranked number 27 with a low hazard rating of one is Walgreens Sunblock with Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose & Ears SPF 45+ for a mere $5.00.

Wanna know what I think about this? Mechanical sunscreen, and by that I mean a big hat and a parasol paired with a trusted sunscreen product, is going to be the best way you can protect yourself from cancer-causing rays. Me, I like this sexy hat.

Want more from Product Fiend? Check out our Obsession of the Day for a daily review of the latest beauty must-haves!

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Comments 1-2 of 2
  • Tlicious's Avatar
    Posted by Tlicious Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:07pm PDT

    This is a bit scary but good info! We really do need to watch what we're putting on our skin, even sunscreen. Although, sunscreen is a must to ward off sun damage. This gives some good info. on how to maintain great looking skin and how sunscreen is a must.

    http://buzz.prevention.com/community/therese/flawless-skin-the-natural-way

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  • miss_kitty94's Avatar
    Posted by miss_kitty94 Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:18pm PDT

    wow. reading this, im seriously scared. oh well. good thing i'm kind of a house muffin. = D

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