Have Fun in the Sun!
By Dr. Rosia Parrish
| Did you know that chemical-barrier sunscreen can cause more harm than good? Chemicals in lotions that you rub on your skin end up in your bloodstream. It is important to know what is in these products! Here are some ingredients to avoid as you check out the label on your bottle:
Oxybenzone Octinoxate Most chemical-barrier sunscreens have a combination of two of these six active ingredients. Laboratory studies have indicated that chemical UV filters mimic hormones. Physicians have also reported sunscreen related skin allergies (ewg.org). One more ingredient to look out for is Retinyl Palmitate. In the presence of sunlight, retinyl palmitate enhances skin cancer lesions by 21% (FDA, 2011). Ewg.org puts out an excellent sunscreen guide every year, complete with brands to avoid and brands they recommend. It’s a great resource to look into before getting your next bottle of sunscreen! Click here to access the sunscreen guide. We also recommend brands including Badger, Alba, Babo Botanicals, Beauty Counter, and if you’re feeling adventurous, we like this homemade sunscreen recipe from Wellness Mama Blog. |
