Green Living Works!

With dermatologists stressing the need to wear sunscreen year round to avoid the sun’s damaging UV rays, more and more people are heeding the warnings and applying sunscreen. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, the bad news is that many of the sunscreens available are not just not as effective as they claim to be, they also contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Studies have linked certain UV filters to the transsexualization of male fish, coral reef degradation, and hormone disrupting activity and low birth weights in infant girls. One of these culprit chemicals is oxybenzone, which is common in many sunscreens. The Environmental Working Group, a DC-based non-profit organization has released its list of the best and worst sunscreens for 2008.

The least harmful sunscreens are ones that use naturally occurring minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They are physical barriers, not chemical barriers, and they are less likely to be absorbed in the skin. They also protect better against deeper penetrating UVA rays from the sun. Unfortunately, these mineral barriers may still not be great for fish.

There are other ways to protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays. You can wear a large-brimmed hat and other protective clothing. Also, antioxidants, such as green tea, and natural sunlight absorbers, such as shea butter, can help increase a cream’s ability to protect against the sun. Eating an antioxidant-rich diet is also helpful. As always, staying in the shade is the best solution, when possible.