In Search of Safe Sunscreen
A fake bake?
My kids, sadly, know nothing of days deliriously oblivious of melanoma and wafer-thin ozone layers. Their earliest memories of the beach are of Mommy chasing them down to slather them in sunscreen as they squirmed and squawked.
But sunscreen, though its intent is to protect us from skin cancer, might actually be exacerbating skin cancer, say some studies. What’s more, some evidence shows it might be exposing us to other cancers…and a host of other health concerns. It’s generally a chemical cocktail, offering up “areas of concern” according to the Environmental Working Group’s extensive analysis, including that favorite of personal care products, hormone disruption. And, of course, many of these products wash off to some degree in our waterways, wreaking havoc with marine life and water quality.
The best, or perhaps I should simply say “better”, sunscreens available to us in North America (as usual, Europe is way out in front in its offering of sunscreen products that are effective and safer) are those that sit on top of the skin – titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
My fave block? All Terrain, which is available at many outdoor/camping stores and online. What’s more, the company is green to the core, packaging its products in recycled, recyclable or biodegradable packaging and insisting on all natural ingredients.
Wendy, on July 6, 2010 @ 8:59 pm |
Where in London can you find the All Terrain sunblock?