Skip The Oxybenzone When Buying Sunscreen

The Bad News:

Think that buying an expensive, natural sunscreen protects you from nasty chemicals? Think again. A recent report by the Environmental Working Group raises the red flag on some ingredients found in many popular sunscreens. The culprit: oxybenzone, a hormone disruptor that mimics the effects of estrogen but is beloved by sunscreen manufacturers because it absorbs UVA rays.

The EWG report found more than 600 sunscreens, including most popular brands, contain this dangerous ingredient, which can cause allergies and cell damage. Worse yet, scientists found a link between use by pregnant women and baby girls with low birth weights.

The Good News:

Covering up that sexy bikini with yards of cloth and donning a floppy hat isn't the only answer! We found plenty of organic and natural brands on the market that are safe and effective, too!

You can check the safety rating of your favorite sunscreen and identify those containing oxybenzone and other nasty ingredients at EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. And while you're there, take action and send a note to the sadly unresponsive Food & Drug Administration, which has been promising updated sunscreen safety standards since 1978…we're still waiting. 

The News You Can Use:

Tossing several years worth of sunscreen right now may seem like a good idea, but check the ingredient list first. Oxybenzone (also known as benzophenone-3) isn't found in every brand. You'll want to check the expiration date on that old sunscreen before next summer anyway. Most sunscreens lose their effectiveness after one to three years.