Wondering if your sunscreen really works? If it is Coppertone, Neutrogena, or Banana Boat, it most likely isn't.
According to the Environmental Working Group, a renown environmental policy, research and advocacy organization, 4 out of 5 sunscreens sold to the public do not provide enough sun protection. Most companies do not deliver the promise printed on its product labels. Some sunscreens pose more risk to consumers, whether because the sunscreen does not block out enough of the sun's rays, or the product contains other harmful ingredients.
Among the brands evaluated, top brands like Coppertone, Neutrogena, and Banana Boat performed the worst.
In EWG's investigation of 952 sunscreen products, 15% were found to offer the adequate UVA and UVB protection that consumers needed. Only 7% of products offered protection from UVB, the kind that causes sunburn. Even worse, fewer products had ingredients that protected consumers from UVA, the rays known to cause skin damage, aging, and cancer.
"The SPF rating is only part of what you need to know, since it only tells you about UVB (sunburn) protection. That's why the Environmental Working Group's rating system includes critical information on UVA protection, how stable the product is in the sun, and potential health hazards of ingredients."
The EWG's report revealed other findings, including 48% of products had ingredients that became unstable after sun exposure, thus unable to withstand the sun. Another shocking discovery, nano ingredients, smaller particles that are easily absorbed in the skin, have become a staple in sunscreen products. Scientists' studies on the effects of nano particles in humans have remained inconclusive.
Which brands ranked best? Products that came from Blue Lizard, California Baby, CVS, Jason's Sunbrella, and Kiss My Face. Even Neutrogena's Sensitive Skin Sunblock ranked in the top 10 list, despite its overall failure to provide safe and effective sunscreen products for consumers.
According to the EWG, the FDA is blamed for its lack of regulations and failure to set standards for companies. "After 30 years of delay, the government has failed to set mandatory, comprehensive sunscreen safety standards to protect consumers’ health. In August 2007 FDA proposed first-ever UVA standards for sunscreen, but the rules are not yet final. In the meantime, companies are making misleading claims about product quality, and ineffective products crowd store shelves."
The EWG also provides a one page fact sheet on sunscreen for shopper's and a database that allows consumers to search a wide-range of products for safety and health information.