Sunscreen news

[Ann G]

Did you see the recent news about sunscreen? My personal favorite, Coppertone Sport Lotion SPF 50, is among the worst, and none of Coppertone's sunscreens were judged to be safe and effective, according to this Environmental Working Group report. Banana Boat and Neutrogena didn't do very well either. The products that got a pass, like Trukid, California Baby, and Badger, were all things I've never heard of and can't find in the local K-Mart. Maybe I'll have to look for things online.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n4227214.shtml

[jesvetmed]

Wow... thanks for posting that. I actually used coppertone for the first time in years at my tri the other day -- it worked. I was out for 3 hours and didn't burn, and it didn't come off in the wetsuit or on the sweaty bike/ride either. So it may not pass, but it passed for me! Course, I had the "55" on!

Among more widely available brands, Blue Lizard, California Baby, CVS, Jason Natural Cosmetics, Kiss My Face, Neutrogena, Olay, SkinCeuticals, Solar Sense, and Walgreens made the list.

Of these, Kiss My Face and Neutrogena and Olay are all widely available. And the other night I noticed Target carried "California Baby".... at least in their baby products. I know you can get them online, too.

California Baby makes the list of pretty good products based on lack of toxic chemicals in them, also.

Someone here posted a great website for cosmetics, shampoos, etc, and the site rated them based on their ingredients and whether or not any are considered toxic. Wish I could remember the site. Someone else probably does?

Jes

[Blueberry]

Here's the badger website: http://www.badgerbalm.com/

I've been using their "balms" for years and love them. I have not tried the sunscreen.

CA

[salsabike]

I think this is what you want--the website for the Environmental Working Group--

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/spe...unscreens2008/

[KnottedYet]

Many years ago I went through the whole "OMG I have malignant melanoma, OMG I'm gonna die!" crap. My cancer-man told me to always wear sunscreen that contains both a chemical screen (the ones that break down) and a physical block (zinc or titanium) and is at least 30 spf.

Kid's or baby's sunscreen is the stuff most likely to have both. I buy tons of it. Chemical screen doesn't wash off, and physical block doesn't wear out. (the chemical screen works by absorbing rays, which breaks it down. The physical block works by reflecting the rays, which won't help if it washes off with sweat or rubs off with clothing.)

Follow the directions on the bottle. If it says to apply 15 minutes before you go into the sun, that's referring to the chemical screen. Do it. If it says to re-apply, that's referring to the whole shebang. Do it.

When in doubt, put on your chemical/physical mix then put on a layer of a pure neutral physical. The physical blocks UVA and UVB, the chemical is your emergency back-up plan.

Best of all.... long sleeves, long pants, and a wide brimmed hat! (not so easy on the bike, eh?)

[michelem]

I'm allergic to the chemical sunscreens, so have to stick with pure physical blocks (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide). Problem is that even the "non-whitening" forumlas make me look like I've rubbed white paste all over. Or, worse, Burt's Bees new "non-whitening" formula is yellow/orange! I called the hotline to find out if maybe I had a "bad" tube, but was told that the yellow/orange is the real color of the stuff! My hubby made fun that it looked like I had dried mustard all over my face! YUCK!!!

So, has anyone found a good zinc/titanium sunblock that blends into the skin and can even be worn under makeup???

On the bod I wear long-sleeves and long pants (full-length bike tights on the bike) with SPF 50 year-round. So, it's just my face/neck/hands that I need to worry about.

[jesvetmed]

Thanks, Salsa... that is the one!

[Dogmama]

So, has anyone found a good zinc/titanium sunblock that blends into the skin and can even be worn under makeup???

Fallene Total Block comes with a small tube of dark flesh colored mix that you can add to the white sunblock & approach your natural color. There is also a tube of white, in case you overshoot your mark. I got mine at Drugstore.com. I wear it over my Neutrogena SPF55 with Helioplex that was recommended by my dermatologist. The sun in AZ is relentless & I easily get brown spots on my face . This combo works pretty good.

[Lifesgreat]

My derm. recommends Neutrogena SPF55 with Helioplex . It is more expensive (but not as expensive as melanoma ), and it is a lighter feeling sunscreen. I really like it.

[Geonz]

I have not seen "zinc oxide" in the ingredients of a single sunscreen that I've looked at this summer. I wondered if it had been deemed hazardous (especially in the microbead form) and pined for the old days hwen I could get VItamin A & D Ointment (a greasier formula) that prevented and treated sunburn. I woulnd't mind having a white nose, even...

[Thorn]

In my neck of the woods, the only zinc oxide sunscreen that I've found is the Walgreens Face and Neck in a 2oz tub. But, it is also a chemical block as well as physical. It works really well and blends nicely, but, sigh, if I use it too many days in a row, I break out into hives.

We mail order sunscreen to get zinc oxide. I've been having good luck with Blue Lizard Baby. A little ghosty, but it seems to last and [knock on carbon fiber] no allergies to the base chemicals.

Just an anecdotal warning on "Helioplex"--make sure to reapply as often as it says. While I will admit that I don't reapply most sunscreens, when I didn't with the Heliplex I burned really badly. I've read elsewhere that the chemical compound that they call "Helioplex" must be reapplied frequently. Great spectrum coverage, but needs to be reapplied.

[michelem]

Fallene Total Block comes with a small tube of dark flesh colored mix that you can add to the white sunblock & approach your natural color.

Oh! I got excited about this one until I looked at the ingredients. In addition to the zinc and titanium it has Benzophenone, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, and
Octocrylene. Oh, well . . .

[Grog]

I think Dermatone, which has a white pasty version containing zinc oxide, is available online rather easily...

[ny biker]

I've used coppertone sport (40-50 spf) for years. I burn very easily (very very easily) but with this sunscreen the only time I burn is when I miss a spot while applying it. I put it on 30 minutes to an hour before I start to ride and that's it - no reapplying because I don't like to carry lots of stuff when I'm on the bike.

Last year I also bought a Neutrogena sport sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays (the Coppertone didn't protect against both). It also works great. I just used the last of it and bought a new bottle of Coppertone that does protect against both UVA and UVB. I haven't used it yet but it's the same active ingredients as the Neutrogena so I expect it to work just as well.

FWIW I have ridiculously sensitive skin but I have not had any allergic reactions to either brand. They both feel a little irritating on my face when I first put them on but no rashes or anything.

[michelem]

I think Dermatone, which has a white pasty version containing zinc oxide, is available online rather easily...

Also available at REI. And, yes, it is VERY white and pasty!