Sunscreens and Sunburn

There are usually two questions people ask about sunscreens: which brands will get the job done and are there any risks from the chemicals in them?

Simplest answer: the best sunscreen is a hat and a shirt and sitting under a beach umbrella. With good sunglasses.

The environmental group EWG recently analyzed sunscreens (here) and they were able to recommend only 39 of 500 on the market. Although many of them protect against sunburn by ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB), they don’t protect against ultraviolet-A radiation (UVA), which does not burn but prematurely ages the skin and causes skin cancer. (Make sure yours protects against both.)

Higher SPF ratings (50+) are misleading because they apply only to UVB and they may make things worse by containing chemicals that cause concern. EWG have a useful FAQ, here.

The FDA has not weighed in on this and the U.S. does not have mandatory sunscreen standards. But to show how confusing this is, I see that Consumer Reports lists one of their preferred ones as Banana Boat Sport Performance. However, the EWG report rates it poorly because although it is effective, it contains oxybenzone, which they say is potentially risky because tiny amounts can penetrate into the skin. One controversial theory is that oxybenzone suppresses the skin's ability to produce protective melanin, instead photosensitizing the skin and encouraging melanoma. EWG are also uncomfortable with sunscreens containing Vitamin A, which may accelerate skin damage.

So EWG recommend the Badger, All Terrain, California Baby, UV Naturals, Soleo Organics and Caribbean Solutions labels among others. All are lotions (no sprays or powders). In their “hall of shame” are the Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic and Aveeno labels.

Some studies have shown that people usually don’t apply nearly enough sunscreen and then fail to apply more a few hours later when they need to. Those at most risk are vulnerable because of fair skin or because of medical conditions "such as herpes, acne or lupus, and many common medications, including some antibiotics, blood-pressure medications, antidepressants and some popular anti-inflammatory drugs as naproxen" (source Wall Street Journal here).