Sunglasses? Check. Towels? Check. Sunscreen? Check. As summer rolls around and people go on their annual exotic beach getaways, people always remember to bring sunscreen with them, but they only identify it as checking an item off of a list. Instead, sunscreen should not only be regarded as a necessity in presence, but as a necessity in quality as well. Of course everyone knows that the sun’s rays are magnified on beaches and that they shouldn’t bring an SPF 15 sunscreen along with them for the ride; however, it is essential to realize what type of sunscreen you use as well.
While spray sunscreens are convenient to quickly reapply and are often more cost-effective, they have recently been exposed as harmful in a myriad of ways. First of all, the FDA stated that the fumes from spray sunscreen bottles are harmful to children through inhalation and that they may cause injury to the lungs. Pointed out by Fox 17 News, many spray sunscreens display a warning on the back of the can which states that it should be “kept out of the reach of children and to get help if swallowed or inhaled because it can be harmful or fatal.”
To add on to the potential health risks accompanied by the use of spray-on sunscreen, it is also less effective. With the amount of wind present at beaches or at lakes, there’s no telling where most of the sunscreen will end up. A study conducted by ChemRisk LLC shows that consumers who used spray-ons didn't have as much sunscreen stick to the skin as those who used sunscreen creams.
In isolated incidents, spray-on sunscreen has been linked to flammability. In 2012, there were 5 separate reported incidents of people who sprayed on sunscreen and were set on fire once they walked near a grill or a campfire. And this is the same substance we are putting on our children?
Every time someone puts on spray-on sunscreen, they need to realize that they are essentially dousing themselves in chemicals. Some of these chemicals are safe for the skin, but outrageously, some of them aren’t. Two unsafe chemicals that have made a name for themselves: oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate. Oxybenzone mimics the hormone estrogen in the body and retinyl palmitate may catalyze the process of skin tumors when in the sun, posing a bigger risk for skin cancer.
Even some of the most popular household sunscreen brand names, such as Banana Boat, Coppertone and CVS, are the ones that are deemed most unsafe for use. Ironically, some of the most dangerous sunscreens are made by Neutrogena—the very company which claims to be the most recommended by dermatologists. As reported by Pix11, the Environmental Working Group asserts that “Neutrogena sunscreens contain chemicals that disrupt hormones, damage skin and can even increase cancer risk.”
So what should you take away from all of this information? To begin with, definitely use a cream-based sun protectant. Next, become a label reader, and make sure that you know what you are exposing yourself as well as your kids to. Lastly, research the specific type of sunscreen that you use in order to get more in-depth, individualized information for your family.Check out this list of safe and natural sunscreens.
