Best and worst sunscreen list

You already know you need to always apply a sunscreen but do you know which is good and safe for you? 

Well, here’s a database you definitely need to see as it lists sunscreens that offer the best combination in terms of both safety and effectiveness.  The first-ever, in-depth analysis of the safety and effectiveness of more than 700 name-brand sunscreens released by Environmental Working Group (EWG).  

According to the analysis by the group, 84 percent of 785 sunscreen products comes with an SPF rating of 15 or higher offer inadequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays, or contain ingredients with safety concerns. Ironically, some popular sunscreen chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight and must be formulated with stabilizing chemicals. Others penetrate the skin and present significant health concerns.

And what’s really useful about the database is that it compiles the best and worst sunscreens and provides a search function for consumers to search sunscreens by brand and name. 

Top of the list of sunscreens which are formulated with the safest chemicals, are most effective at protecting against sunburn, and help prevent long-term damage caused by the sun’s UVA rays (which are linked to skin aging, wrinkling and, potentially cancer) is Badger SPF30.  I also see a few of Peter Thomas Roth’s brand of sunblocks coming up on the list as well.  And what’s comforting is that regular brands like Olay is also on the list with its Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF30.  

Unfortunately, it looks like L’Occitane Immortelle Very Precious Fluid which I’m currently using has zero sun hazard but comes with a rather high health hazard, with ratings of seven out of ten.  On the other hand, Skinceuticals Ultimate UV Defense which I was using for quite awhile has a lower health hazard, but rated one out of ten on the scale of sun hazard. 

It might look like if I’m concerned about my health, I should be switching products real soon.  Well, the good news is that the list of best sunscreen out there is longer than the worst sunscreen.  So at least, I still have quite a lot of choices. 

Comments

  1. holly says:

    Sun protection is so important.
    There are so many companies out there now that make sun protection clothing. One that we have used and have been so pleased with is shadysun.com I have bought things for my husband, my children and myself. They even sell a great aromatherapy sunscreen that doesn’t smell at all “sunscreeny”

    holly: That’s interesting. I should check it up too…

  2. domestic rat says:

    Oh dear! And I like the powdery light texture of Immortelle’s Very Precious Fluid.

    DR: Powdery? I don’t find it so. Light yes…

  3. msfairface says:

    I have been using Shu Uemura’s Xtra Protector SPF50PA+++ and so far it has been all right for me. I am also obsessed with whitening so after a few bottles I think i went 2 shades lighter.

    msff: Wow, that’s some whitening…

  4. yanju says:

    i currently use neutrogena dry touch sunblock spf 55,it contains an ingredient called helioplex which is said to deliver unbeatable uv protection.helioplex according to neutrogena is said to b the latest breakthrough in uv protection.i ve been using it for abt 3wks now & i can honestly say my skin has never looked better. I also dont know wat else they ve in this product but i look so much younger than 28 & i get that from pple a lot & i feel like my skin is getting the protection it needs.its high on my recommendation list to pple.

    yanju: Glad to hear it works for you. Helioplex covers the complete UVA/UVB spectrum by harnessing the full power of two sunscreens, Avobenzone and Oxybenzone. A friend of mine uses this and loves the texture too.

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