Is Your Sunscreen Carcinogenic?

You thought it was safe to venture outside again. Just dab on your sunscreen, wait 20 or 30 minutes, and voila, you are safe from lobster skin and deadly moles. But are you really?

According to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, 4 out every 5 sunscreens of nearly 1,000 brands tested were either inadequate in protection or contained hazardous chemicals linked to – you guessed it! – cancer. (The most common offender is oxybenzone, a known photocarcinogen).

Among the worst offenders, Coppertone Water BABIES lotion Sunscreen SPF 50

, Banana Boat Sport Sunblock Lotion, SPF 15 and Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion, SPF 15. (For a more comprehensive list, http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/findyoursunscreen.php?&sunscreens=1&&start=500 ).

Even with that happy tidbit, it’s still not a good idea to go outside unprotected. So, what should a sun worshipper do?

The Environmental Working Group comprised a list of the safest and best working sunscreens. The best options?  CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 45+, Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, SPF 30 and Walgreens Sunblock with Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose & Ears, SPF 45+ are among those on the list found here.