What I’ve learned today

What I’ve learned today?

Few key facts about sunscreen that I didn’t know. Before you head off to the store to grab some, please read this, make a note and be much safer this summer (well, and whole year round).

The good:

Things you want in your sunscreen:

ZINC, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, AVOBENZONE OR MEXORYL SX

Types of sunscreen to buy:

CREAM, BETWEEN 30-50 SPF, WATER RESISTANT, MADE FOR POOL AND EXERCISE

The bad:

Things you don‘t want in your sunscreen:

OXYBENZONE, VITAMIN A (retinyl palmitate), ADDED INSECT REPELLENT (buy it separately and apply before the sunscreen)

Types of sunscreen not to buy:

SPRAYS, POWDERS, SPF ABOVE 50

Why Vitamin A? Studies show that even small amounts of it in the sunscreen significantly speed the growth of tumors and lesions in lab animals, something that FDA will not tell you about. The kicker is that over 40% of sunscreens out there have this ingredient and promoting it as a “good thing”. Why oxybenzone? Mostly bad for children, experts say that oxybenzone penetrates the skin and is associated with allergic reactions and potential hormone disruption.

As for the 50 SPF or higher, it doesn’t really give you more protection and people tend to use less when the SPF is 80 or 100 thinking that they are safe. Also we don’t tend to use enough, you should use at least a shot glass and re-apply often…even though it’s pain in the &%s, but sure better than cancer.

So there, that’s what I’ve learned today.