Sunscreen

Wed September 17, 2014
 Becky

[Update: Several people recommend the following website for a list of Environmentally friendly / chemical friendly sunscreens: http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/]

So, I have a question. The folks as Breast Cancer Fund have indicated that some of the chemicals used in sunscreens are endocrine disruptors and are therefore bad.

The article on harmful chemicals is here: Sunscreens (UV Filters). The bad chemicals are listed as:

“3-(4-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), octyl-dimethyl-PABA (OD-PABA), bexophenome-3 (Bp-3) and homosalate (HMS) (Krause, 2012; Schlumpf, 2001).”

I primarily use:

  1. Coppertone Sport (cream), active ingredients are: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, and octocrylene.
  2. Coppertone Sport (spray), active ingredients are: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, and Oxybenzone
  3. Aveeno daily moisturizer, active ingredients are: Avobenzone, Octinoxate, and Octisalate

OK, so looking at this, it looks like Coppertone Sport would not be recommended (sad face) – so now I need a recommendation for a good waterproof / sweatproof sunscreen that doesn’t contain any bad chemicals. Any thoughts? (the print on the bottles is so small that it is really difficult for me to read!). I notice that some of the Aveeno products also use Homosalate, specifically I have a bottle of Broad Spectrum SFP 50 for Face that contains Homosalate.

So, for those of you reading this, can you do me a favour and check the ingredients on the sunscreen you use … and let me know if you find one that is sweatproof / waterproof and doesn’t contain any of the bad chemicals listed above. Thanks.

 

 

Becky
  • Becky
Uncategorized

3 Comments

  • Jp Reply

    How about badger. Or a sweat band if it’s the get in your eyes issue?

  • scottx5 Reply

    Asked Daughter Anna in Victoria and she recommended:
    Green Beaver
    https://well.ca/index.php?brand=green-beaver&main_page=brand&cat_id=1949_1953&gclid=CMns7pvN6cACFYZaMgodRAMA1g

    Green Beaver Kids Non-whitening Fragrance-free Sunscreen
    Other ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Isostearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Acacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax/Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil*, d-alpha Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters (and) Jojoba Esters, Aqua (Water)
    Green Beaver Non-whitening Fragrance-free Sunscreen
    Green Beaver Non-Whitening Fragrance-free Sunscreen is 100% Natural & Certified Organic. Green Beaver products do not contain chemical sunscreens or chemically altered mineras such as:
    • PABA, Avobenzone, Parsol, Mexoryl, etc.
    • Silicon coated minerals or nanosize particals

    The web page is easy to read and contents clearly stated.

  • scottx5 Reply

    A second search. Here “inactive ingredients” are mentioned and I’m not sure what this means:
    Good list here of safer sunscreens.
    Quoting them: “At present, there aren’t any health-based standards for safe levels of oxybenzone in the body. Europe, Canada and Australia changed sunscreen regulations in 1997 though, and oxybenzone was banned and three other specific active sunscreen ingredients – avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide – were recommended as the basis of sunscreens.”
    http://www.skimbacolifestyle.com/2008/04/is-your-sunscreen-safe.html

    Kinesis
    http://kinesys.com/

    Girl SPF 30 Alcohol free Spray Sunscreen
    Sun Protection • Spray • Head To Toe
    MICROSPRAY™ application, fast drying without rubbing.
    • Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection with Parsol® 1789
    • Topical antioxidant Tocopheryl Acetate(Vitamin E) to scavenge free radicals
    • Oil-free / Alcohol Free / PABA Free / Preservative Free
    • Very Water-resistant / Sweat-resistant
    • Hypoallergenic / Non-Comedogenic
    • Green Tea and Vanilla fragrance

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