Thursday, July 05, 2007

Lube Up Right or Don't Bother

Every doctor and health professional you talk to will tell you use sunscreen daily. I don't but Madam does. My skin is very dark and oily and seems to resist sunlight pretty well on its own. Madam is of good German stock and has virtually no natural protection from the sun. I do put on sun screen if I am going to be in the sun for an extended period such as a round of golf. It has been rumored that not all sunscreens are equal and Madam swears by Neutrogena for Sensitive Skin but it only ranks 67th in the list of recommended sunscreens. Now you don't have to wonder because the Environmental Working Group has taken the guesswork out it. This article was released last month but I just stumbled onto it. Thought I would share.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released the first-ever, in-depth analysis of the safety and effectiveness of more than 700 name-brand sunscreens. The new database lists products that offer the best combination of safety and effectiveness: they are formulated with the safest chemicals, are most effective at protecting against sunburn, and help prevent long-term damage caused by the sun’s UVA rays, which are linked to skin aging, wrinkling and, potentially, cancer.

The analysis found that 84 percent of 785 sunscreen products with an SPF rating of 15 or higher offer inadequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays, or contain ingredients with safety concerns. Ironically, some popular sunscreen chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight and must be formulated with stabilizing chemicals. Others penetrate the skin and present significant health concerns.

The database can be found at: http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/

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