I see that the Environmental Working Group has come up trumps again and has just released its review of sunscreens in time for the sunny weather. They reviewed over 500 different products available in the US (and a lot of them here) and have launched a 2010 guide to sunscreens. Out of those 500, they recommend only 8 percent! That’s only 39 products and, they say, the rest just don’t live up to their hype.
I had a quick look at the worst offenders and was amazed at how many baby ones there were. This seems mainly to do with the fact that many of them give misleading claims like ‘SPF 50+’.
The list is not entirely complete though as I couldn’t find my three faves: Annemarie Borlind, Weleda and Green People. However, I did see Jason Natural Cosmetics did well and they are very similar from a quick look.
View the full report and, in particular, take a look at the top sunscreens, lip balms, moisturisers and make-up with SPF at: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/. Remember they are a voluntary organisation so please support them.
My advice, as always, is to allow some sunshine on your skin – it’s good for you, but take steps so that you don’t burn. If out in full sun for more than 10-15 minutes, cover up with a hat and clothes, stay in the shade in the highest heat and use a non-toxic sunscreen, applying much more of it and more regularly than you think you need. Enjoy the sun. I think we’re being made to be scared of it when actually you need it for Vitamin D production and it simply makes most of us feel good; it’s the burning and damaging toxic chemicals in the sunscreens that are far more of a danger.