But now the torch has been passed and the responsibility falls to me to protect my family from the all-too-real dangers of the sun. Not only have I graduated from carefree kid to concerned caregiver, but what was once referred to as “suntan lotion” now wears the cautionary label “sunscreen”or “sunblock”, and SPF 4 seems reckless compared to offerings that can be found as high as 100!
There are lots of choices to be certain, but sunscreens cannot be judged by SPF alone. The latest studies find potentially harmful chemicals in some of the very lotions meant to “protect” us from cancer causing UV rays. So as the Grand Poobah of purchasing for my own family, the responsibility now lies with me to become an informed purchaser. Here is what I have learned:
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a group whose purpose is to protect public health and the environment, reports that many sunscreens contain chemical ingredients that may be harmful.
Oxybenzone - Experts raise concerns about its use in sunscreens for children because of its ability to penetrate the skin and its association with allergic reactions and potential hormone disruption.
Vitamin A – or retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, may heighten skin cancer risk when used on sun-exposed skin. The sunscreen industry adds vitamin A to 30 percent of all sunscreens.
The EWG recommends sunblocks containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are physical blocking agents (sometimes referred to as mineral sunscreens), as opposed to chemical.
[Source: EWG website- http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen]
The good news: safe and effective sunscreens can be found where I regularly shop, but it’s up to me to come armed with information. I checked out the EWG website, a great resource which lists nearly 90 brands including CVS, Neutrogena, Banana Boat, Walgreens and Aveeno, which now offer sunscreens with zinc and titanium.
I aim to give my kids as many carefree summers as possible, for it won’t be long before the torch of responsibility passes to them. So it’s off the drugstore to stock up on sunscreen. After all, summer is one of the greatest times to be a kid... as it should be.
