Just in time for Memorial Day outings, a new report on sunscreens is out.
The news isn’t all sunny. , a nonprofit research and advocacy group that just issued its 16th annual Guide to Sunscreens.
In response, dermatologists, including the president of the American Academy of Dermatology, say that although some concerns have been raised about the safety of some sunscreen ingredients, sunscreens themselves remain an important tool in the fight against skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer by age 70. Melanoma, the most deadly, has a 5-year survival rate of 99% if caught early.
2022 report
Overall, the Environmental Working Group found that about 1 in 4 sunscreens, or about 500 products, met their standards for providing adequate sun protection and avoiding ingredients linked to known health harms. Products meant for babies and children did slightly better, with about 1 in 3 meeting the standards. The group evaluated mineral sunscreens, also called physical sunscreens, and non-mineral sunscreens, also called chemical sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and sit on the skin to deflect the sun’s rays. Chemical sunscreens, with ingredients such as oxybenzone or avobenzone, are partially absorbed into the skin.
Among the group’s concerns:
- The use of oxybenzone in the non-mineral sunscreens. About 30% of the non-mineral sunscreens have it, says Carla Burns, senior director for cosmetic science for the Environmental Working Group. Oxybenzone is a potential hormone disrupter and a skin sensitizer that may harm children and adults, she says. Some progress has been made, as the group found oxybenzone in 66% of the non-mineral sunscreens it reviewed in 2019. (The FDA is seeking more information on oxybenzone and many other sunscreen ingredients.)
- Contamination of sunscreens with benzene, which has been linked to leukemia and other blood disorders, according to the National Cancer Institute. But industry experts stress that that chemical is found in trace amounts in personal care products and does not pose a safety concern. “Benzene is a chemical that is ubiquitous in the environment and not an intentionally added ingredient in personal care products. People worldwide are exposed daily to benzene from indoor and outdoor sources, including air, drinking water, and food and beverages,” the Personal Care Products Council, an industry group, said in a statement.
- Protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) rays is often inadequate, according to research published last year by the Environmental Working Group.
Products on the ‘best’ list
The Environmental Working Group found that 282 recreational sunscreens met its criteria. Among them:
- Coral Safe Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
- Mad Hippie Facial Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
The group chose 86 non-mineral sunscreens as better options, including:
- Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen Lotion, Aloe Vera, SPF 30
- Banana Boat Sport Ultra Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50+
- Black Girl Sunscreen Melanin Boosting Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30