(^8) • MAY 2019
/// BY VERA TWEED
trendWATC H
Sorting Out Sunscreens
The FDA is taking a new look at sun-
screen safety and eff ectiveness. Today’s
ingredients haven’t been evaluated in
decades, while new science has emerged.
No ingredients are being banned, but
results of the review won’t be in before
you hit the beach this summer. Here’s a
snapshot of how the agency currently
views 16 active ingredients that may be in
your sunscreen:Safe Ingredients: Zinc oxide and
titanium dioxide, found in many natural
products. Holistic health professionals
have been recommending these skin-
protecting minerals for years.Ingredients With Known Safety
Issues: PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
and trolamine salicylate, which are
rarely found in today’s sunscreens. PABA
can trigger skin allergies, and trolamine
salicylate
can increase
bleeding.did you
know?
SPF refers only to
protection from UVB
rays, not UVA rays,
which cause sunburn.Ingredients That Need More Study:
The FDA has not concluded that the
following 12 ingredients are unsafe, but
is collecting additional testing data from
manufacturers to re-examine safety and
eff ectiveness.avobenzone
cinoxate
dioxybenzone
ensulizole
homosalate
meradimate
octinoxate
octisalate
octocrylene
oxybenzone
padimate O
sulisobenzoneAlthough these ingredients are not
being prohibited, there have been
concerns about their safety. For example,
oxybenzone may disrupt hormones and
contribute to cancer and birth defects.Other Sunscreen Issues
The FDA is planning to require more
detailed label information on sunscreens,
and to re-evaluate the eff ectiveness
of certain ingredients used to block
UVB and UVA rays. Both types of rays
can contribute to skin cancer, but only
UVB rays cause sunburn. Sunscreens
that are “broad spectrum” protect against
both types of rays, but current regulations
don’t require labels to disclose the level
of protection from UVA rays. SPF refers
only to UVB rays. Meanwhile, zinc oxide
and titanium dioxide are recognized as
eff ective blocks of both types of UV rays.Don’t let new guidelines confuse you—here are the
safest ingredients for sun protectionFOR MORE INFO: Check out the Guide
to Sunscreens from the nonprofit
Environmental Working Group at ewg.org.