Sunscreen Safety
Last year the when I viewed the environmental working group’s sunblock list their picks were based on the assumption that sun rays are worse than exposure to chemicals. (I may have been looking at their 2007 list last year since even in May their 2009 list isn’t out yet this year.) For people in sunny southern states this may be true, but for those of us in the rainy grey states, not so much. Last year there were news reports about not getting enough vitamin D, specifically breast fed babies.
In our baby swimming class some moms talked about letting their kids play in the sun for ten or fifteen minutes before applying sunblock. That sounds like a great solution except that the child then needs to avoid the sun for half an hour after the sunblock is applied so that it can be absorbed. The other shortcut that comes to mind is to just apply the sunblock and send them out before it’s absorbed, but with the highly reflective glistening oily sunscreens this can actually cause sunburn. It’s happened to me before.
My approach is to not use sunscreen if we’re going to be in and out of the sun for less than an hour and before 11am otherwise I just apply it. I’ve heard some promotions for wearing sunscreen everyday but I just don’t see it as a necessity here in grey-ville. Unless we’re out on a lake, river, or other highly reflective surface I think sunscreen on a grey day is overkill.
Last year I just grabbed a bottle of Aveeno Baby sunblock. It works as a sunscreen, however even if I don’t get any around my eyes by the end of the day they’re BURNING and it HURTS like HELL. I have super sensitive skin when it comes to cosmetics. I can’t wear makeup because I’m allergic to it. Eye shadow and many lotions burn my eyes the same way the Aveeno sunblock did.
This year I checked the environmental working group’s list again. (currently showing the 2008 lists) They’ve reworked their ratings to show which brands are effective against the sun and which have the lowest chemical hazard. They have a list of 140 recommended products and their top recommended brands. One of the top contenders is my favorite California Baby. I’ve had a chance to try it out a few times this year and it’s fabulous. It’s expensive as hell $17.99 at Target for a 2.9 ounce bottle but it works and it doesn’t burn my eyes.
Other links on sunscreen from the Environmental Working Group
- Sunscreens: How it Works, What it Means
- FDA has failed to establish regulations for sunscreens
- Misleading Claims
- Sun Safety Tips for Kids
May 27th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I thought I read somewhere that the sun’s rays can even penetrate cloud cover & cause damage on days when it’s not sunny…?? I usually don’t apply it if we’ll be in and out either..we’ve tried so many different brands & haven’t been in love with any of them (I had the same experience w/Aveeno btw…and I thought it was supposed to be so much better than the others!)
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Erica Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Christy – It can but I think the clouds act as a filter so it’s not as bad as on a clear day. I was going to say that I’ve never known anyone to get sunburn on a grey day but the Irish commenter after you said she’s been burn on an overcast day. *shrug* For my olive-ish skin self I still can’t see wearing sunscreen EVERYDAY the minute I walk out the door.
May 27th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I agree w/ you, but…
I’ve gotten really bad sunburn on overcast days while wearing spf 50. Must be my pasty white Irish skin, lol. Funny enough, I’ve been reading an awful lot about people who get skin cancer from suntanning beds. But, that being said I don’t apply it a lot too. Makeup, lotion, and sunscreen make me break out. Too bad hats aren’t in style, then I’d never have to wear sun screen. Think about it, everyday could be Ascot style silly hat day. Hmmmm
Erica Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Susan Anderson – I was about to tell another commenter that I’ve never known anyone to get burned on an overcast day but your pasty Irish skin ruined it for me. LOL You and my pasty white Scandinavian husband need to form a pasty white club. Formal club attire shall be a floppy hat.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Hmn… I spent some time looking at those lists last spring and came to realize that all the products I use cause cancer and may not even be effective in blocking the sun….
I use Avon’s sunblock because it also has bug repellent built in. Perhaps I will check out the liquid gold you mentioned at Target. We plan to be in the sun a lot this weekend and it’s still too cold for bugs.
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Erica Reply:
June 1st, 2009 at 3:32 pm
MommyWizdom – LOL liquid gold. It is pretty expensive, but there are others on the EWG list that might be a lot cheaper. I haven’t used them but #6 on the brand list is Neutrogena sensitive skin $9.99 for 4oz and #10 is Walgreens labeled “Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears” $4.99 for 2oz. (I’m sure it can be used all over the body not just the face.) The EWG warns to stay away from sunblock/bug repellent combos.
June 12th, 2009 at 4:56 am
I would be curious to know if the body is able to absorb Vitamin D even if you are wearing sunblock. It seems to me that it would be able to, but I have no idea.
As a side note, it is certain that whether or not you need to take Vitamin D supplements is determined by where you live. Within the last couple of years I moved from sunny Southern California to Northern Michigan and my doctor told me that she was concerned about my Vitamin D levels because there simply isn’t enough sun in No. Michigan for locals to absorb all the Vitamin D they need naturally, and for me especially the contrasting decrease is showing up in how I feel.
I wonder if wearing sunblock on our rare sunny days is preventing the Vitamin D from absorbing? Hmm. If anyone knows the answer, please pop me an email.
Erica Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Angeline – Sun block does prevent Vitamin D from being absorbed. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/W.....id=6858389