6 Sunblock Tips To Avoid Skin Cancer

In the Spring I plant my garden, buy my kids new crocks and throw out last year’s sunblock. I commit myself to some light reading, namely environmental working group’s 1700 sunblock product review, to learn about all of the chemicals that I do not want touching my children, patients or self. My thoughts about the sun with some input from EWG, www.ewg.org:

1) Pick block with both UVA and UVB protection: damaging sun rays can lead to skin cancer, skin related disorders, and yes…wrinkles.

2) Block does not block all rays: Shade or protective clothing is good.

3) Need a gorgeous tan? Try a chemical free bronzer or spray tan. Warning, this would require a 2nd trip to the EWG website.

4) Reapply, reapply, reapply; nothing lasts forever.

5) Choose a block with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, EWG lists it as the safest active ingredient.

6) Avoid sunscreens with vitamin A aka retinyl palmitate or retinol. This ingredient combined with the sun may actually be cancer promoting to the skin.

My summer pick….Livestrong SPF 30 water resistant. For the above reasons, because it supports cancer research and because Lance is cool. There are other great products, but remember to do the research or let me do it for you!

Be Well,.
CarolineMD

P.S. A few days after writing this EWG came out with their top 128 sports and beach sunblocks http://bit.ly/izuU3p.