It turns out there is. However, I tend to believe that, unless you’re faced with such a thing, you’re not really going to spend the time digging up all the facts. Personally, when I’m spending time in the sun, I know to put something on my skin. Being Irish and freckled, if I didn’t, I would be as red as a beet. But, I’ve never cared to pay attention to what I was applying. Sunscreens are all the same, right?
Turns out they’re not. According to a new study done by the FDA , a form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, present in about 40% of sunscreens, may accelerate the development of skin cancer.
So, which sunscreens are beneficial? I’ve done some digging, and here are the best and worst five sunscreens of 2010.
5 Worst (in no particular order):
- Banana Boat MAX Protect & Play Baby Lotion SPF 100 (The difference between SPF 50 and 100 is minuscule—don’t think because you’re applying a higher number that you’re more protected.)
- iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen & Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30
- Panama Jack Natural Baby Sunblock SPF 50 (contains oxybenzone, a suspected hormone disruptor)
- Anthony Logistics for Men Sun Stick SPF 15
- Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen SPF 50 Stick
5 Best (in no particular order):
- Bullfrog Ultimate Sheer Protection SPF 30
- Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30
- California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick
- Purple Prairie Botanicals Sun Stuff SPF 30 Lotion
- Coppertone ultraGUARD Sunscreen Lotion SPF 15, Oil-Free Lotion SPF 15, and Sport Sunblock Lotion SPF 15
Remember: The first step in preventing skin cancer is to reduce damage by the sun as early as possible. Share this information with parents as well as with your faculty and staff—especially if your school hosts activities that require extended time outdoors.
