Negative Press For Banana Boat Sunscreen
In recent times Banana Boat sunscreens have managed to get themselves into some controversial situations, to the extent of actually having to withdraw a huge number of their products from the shelves.
According to WEB MD, at least five people have actually caught fire after using one of the Banana Boat sunscreen spray products. This spurred a recall of 23 spray sunscreen products sold from January 2010 through September 2012.The Banana Boat manufacturer, Energizer Holdings Inc., announced that “If a consumer comes into contact with a flame or spark prior to complete drying of the product on the skin, there is a potential for the product to ignite”.
It seems that the main issue is that their spray takes too long to dry and until dry remains flammable. In total there have been 4 burn reports in the USA and one in Canada, but they were asking people who have bought their product already not to use them.The fact that all continuous spray sunscreen products contain some sort of warning on their labels that they must not to used near open flames or sparks, and even that people should refrain from smoking when using such products, is enough to put me off completely.
However, the reality is that not many people read the warning labels until after the event. If interested though, the list of products can be found here.
How Can You Tell If You Are Using Toxic Sunscreen
It is the ingredients of course and not just the base of the formula, but the active ingredients. Dr. Oz did a great short interview on Dr. Andrew Weil where they discuss the difference between chemical and physical mineral based sunscreens. to watch this short and easy explanation by these doctors. Understanding the difference in the 2 categories of sunscreens is very important.
While the physical, or mineral, sunscreens talked about in the interview create a protective layer on the skin, chemical sunscreens are absorbed through the skin. Physical or mineral sunscreens use only one or two active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. That is all. There is a long list of chemical sunscreen active ingredients, including some of the more widely used ones listed below:
Oxybenzone in addition to high rates of skin allergies, it acts like estrogen in the body, alters sperm production in animals and has been associated with endometriosis in women. It penetrates through the skin and studies have found it present in mothers milk of nursing mothers.
moderate skin allergies are connected, in addition to alteration of hormone activity, reproductive issues, and thyroid and behavioral alterations in animal studies.
Homosalate disrupts natural hormones estrogen, androgen and progesterone.
As for other ingredients commonly found in toxic sunscreen, here are a few of the most common ones:
Goddess Garden Facial Natural Sunscreen
Facial Natural Sunscreen | Goddess Garden Organics
Goddess Gardens sunscreen is certified organic and packed with nourishing antioxidants. These natural ingredients also double as anti-aging features, because the aloe vera, shea butter, and essential oils will reduce dryness and tighten sagging skin. We love that this sunscreen is so easy to wear beneath your makeup, as its non-greasy, sheer, and scented with lavender.
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Best Classic Zinc: Kinesys Clear Zinc Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Spf 30
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF Level: 30 | Formula: Cream
Consider this the modern take on old-school, thick, white zinc oxide . It comes in a jar so you can easily scoop on as much as you want, and even though it applies white, it rubs in completely clear and smooth. It’ll nourish dry skin thanks to soothing aloe leaf, coconut oil, and sunflower seed oil. Plus, its scent is super refreshing thanks to peppermint and rosemary leaf oils, which also act as natural preservatives.
So How Did Benzene End Up In Sunscreen Then
“It’s not an ingredient that is added to sunscreen, and likely, occurs as a contaminant, a byproduct of manufacturing, or in the production of another raw material , like alcohol or aloe vera,” explains Laura Cohen, M.D., a board-certified dermatologic surgeon serving as President and CEO of CoLabs International. “Benzene contamination may occur in many alcohol spray applications, and in some alcohol or aloe vera-based lotions.”
Some sunscreens indicated in Valisure’s study contained nearly three times the FDA-approved limit of benzene within pharmaceuticals in general, but it’s currently unclear if anyone has suffered immediate symptoms from any of the study’s implicated products.
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What Are The Worst Sunscreens
Here are the 10 worst sunscreens on the market today, according to EWGs 2019 report:
- Walgreens Dry Touch Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100.
- Walgreens Age Protection For Face Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 110.
- Sun Bum Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70.
- Panama Jack Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70.
- Panama Jack Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 85.
4.07.2019
Why You Should Trust Us
To find the best sunscreens, we talked to cosmetic chemists Ron Robinson, Akshay Talati, and Perry Romanowski, and to Lisa Quale, a health educator at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. We also consulted nine dermatologists: Jenna Lester, at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicines department of dermatology Vinod Nambudiri, a dermatologist at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston Belinda Tan, a dermatopathologist and cofounder of People Science Lawrence Eichenfield, chief of the pediatric and adolescent dermatology division at Rady Childrens Hospital-San Diego Rachel Herschenfeld of Dermatology Partners in Wellesley, Massachusetts Steven Wang of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who leads the Skin Cancer Foundations Lindsey Bordone of ColumbiaDoctors in New York City Erin Warshaw, a professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School pediatric dermatologist Patricia Treadwell of Indiana University and dermatologist Henry Lim, a Detroit-based Skin Cancer Foundation spokesperson. We also spoke with toxicologist Luoping Zhang, an adjunct professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and environmental toxicologist Bernard D. Goldstein, former dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
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What Kind Of Sunscreen Is Best For Face
Our picks of best sunscreens for your face
- Tizo 2 Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40.
- Neutrogena SheerZinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion.
- Blue Lizard Sensitive Face Mineral Sunscreen.
- Supergoop!
- Raw Elements Face + Body SPF 30.
- Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47.
- Beauty Counter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion.
Other Sunscreens We Tested
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion Sunscreen
The Hawaiian Tropic lotion sunscreen performed quite well, but not as well as its spray-bottle counterpart. It lost a few points on ease of application and size. Overall, its a solid sunscreen that rubbed into the skin well and wasnt too thick, but its tropical, fruity smell may be overpowering to some.
Banana Boat Simply Protect Sport Sunscreen Spray
This chemical sunscreen also scored very well in our testing, achieving high marks for ease of application, how it felt on the skin and visibility. One of our testers said it was a little harsh on her sensitive skin, though, and the chemical smell can be overbearing. But if those factors arent an issue for you, this option from Banana Boat is a top-notch spray sunscreen.
Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion
Sun Bums chemical sunscreen was one of our favorites. It has a light texture that rubs in quickly, and boy oh boy, does it smell good. The creamy banana scent had us reaching for Sun Bum more than most of the other options in our test pool. It was just a few points shy of our winners because it took more time to apply than the sprays and comes in a bottle thats a bit bulky.
MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50
California Kids Supersensitive Broad-Spectrum Tinted Sunscreen
Thinksport Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Alba Botanica Fragrance-Free Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
CeraVe Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Stick
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Body Shield
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Badger Sport Sunscreen Cream
Badger Sport Sunscreen | W.S. Badger Company
Youll want to reach for Badger Sport Sunscreen on the days youre going to be outside breaking a sweat . This water-resistant sunscreen is formulated with extra zinc oxide, and has been given an excellent ranking by the EWG . Badger is an ideal choice for the times you go for a run, surf, play tennis, or snowboard.
Does Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stain Clothes
4.9/5sunscreenstainsclothesclothesdioxidezinc oxide
Correspondingly, does zinc oxide stain clothes?
Zinc oxide acts as the starring ingredient in many diaper rash creams and works as a barrier against sun exposure in certain sunscreens. In these products, the zinc included is a white powder that can stain fabrics.
Similarly, does all sunscreen stain clothes? Applying sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the strong summer sun. Unfortunately, the chemical Avobenzone found in many sunscreen lotions can cause stubborn rust stains on clothing when it interacts with water. Afterwards, rinse the garment in hot water and launder normally.
Besides, how do you get zinc sunscreen out of clothes?
How to remove zinc sunscreen from clothes
What is the ingredient in sunscreen that stains clothes?
avobenzone
5 Best Sunscreens for Not Staining Clothes
How to Clean Zinc Oxide Corrosion From Metal Surfaces
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Now Lets Talk About Specific Brands You May Have Thought Were Safe
Lets be honest here. Some brands have names that automatically make you think that they are natural or organic. And many of these are misleading. And of course most of the big and cheap sunscreen brands you can almost guarantee are toxic sunscreens. But just because the sunscreen you are purchasing has a high price tag or is made by a brand you may have thought was natural, always check your ingredients.
Alba Botanica Unfortunately this brand uses chemical active ingredients in almost all of their sunscreen products. Most of their other products are on point, but oh no, not their sunscreen.
BabyGanics Yes, even this brand, whose name suggests organic has on the market a Mineral Based sunscreen that contains the active ingredients: Zinc Oxide , Octinoxate , Octisalate
Banana Boat You guessed it. Most everything they have on the market would be classified as a toxic sunscreen. They also use parabens for preservatives.
Blue Lizard Many consumers consider this sunscreen in the natural sunscreen category. While its active ingredients are good, it is their inactive ingredients that are toxic with PEGs, Parabens, Propylene Glycol and other such no-good ingredients.
Coppertone Yes, yes, this one too is definitely a toxic sunscreen. They use not only toxic ingredients, but inactive ingredients also.
Here is the Enviornmental Working Groups 2015 Hall of Shame. For the complete list, .
Best For Travel: Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF Level: 30 | Formula: Stick
Theres no need to stress about TSA confiscation with this solid stick. Not only is the spill-proof formula perfect for travel, but the small size is also great for swiping on often forgotten spots like your ears and the back of your neck. Zinc oxide is suspended in a hydrating, cocoa seed butter base, so it glides on seamlessly without pulling or tugging and leaves the skin oh so soft.
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The 10 Best Sunscreens You Can Buy
As we transition into spring and summer, its imperative you make a point of slathering on and reapplying sunscreen every single day. However, did you know that not all sunscreens are created equally? Every year, the Environmental Working Group runs thousands of sunscreen tests and reviews to determine which consumer brands are delivering on their promises, and which are letting you down.
Believe it or not, many of your favorite brands have been found to contain harsh chemicals, overrated SPF numbers, and subpar UV shielding. Melanoma skin cancer is no laughing matter, so make sure the next sunscreen you choose falls on the right side of this list.
Most Toxic Sunscreens To Avoid
Heres a big takeaway thatll make things somewhat less complicated. EWG recommends avoiding all spray sunscreens. Not only are they very difficult to apply effectiveness and evenly, but theres some concern the ingredients could potentially cause irreversible lung damage. The truth is, the ingredients just havent been tested in the aerosol capacity for long-term impact on human health, like so many other everyday chemicals, unfortunately.
When it comes to sunscreens, here are some of the other worst overall offenders scoring in the Red Zone for major safety concerns. Overall, these products tested poorly in the EWG analysis and are considered bad choices for sun protection. Just remember, this list is not exhaustive. To check your favorite sunscreen or to peruse the database, .)
This is by no means a complete list. Be sure to check your individual products safety assessment at EWG.org.
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So What Sunscreens Are Safe
Officials have previously indicated that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two of the safest and most effective sunscreens you can choose today. As Dr. Mark explains, these kinds of “natural” sunscreens are considered mineral-based physical sun blockers, which sit atop the skin and physically deviate harmful UV rays.
Ultimately, it’s best to use a sunscreen lotion or spray you enjoy rather than none at all. It’s expected that officials at the FDA will soon overhaul the way it oversees sunscreen safety here in the U.S. Checking the list of implicated sunscreens is one step toward making sure your bottle of choice isn’t weighing you down with potential risks for long-term use. At Good Housekeeping, we’ve removed all implicated products from our reviews and rankings, including the five Johnson & Johnson products the company pulled while it investigates how benzene ended up in its products.
Best For Sensitive Skin: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Spf 50
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | SPF Level: 50 | Formula: Cream
If your skin is easily irritated, any kind of mineral sunscreen is going to be your best bet, but this one, in particular, takes the cake. Made with 100% zinc oxide, its also hypoallergenic and won’t clog your pores. Its so gentle that its even earned the National Eczema Associations seal of approval. And whether your skin is sensitive or not, the completely dry, non-greasy finish is a universal crowd-pleaser.
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How Does Uva And Uvb Protection Work
The sun emits different types of light rays, two of which are primarily responsible for damaging your skin: ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B . UVB rays are shorter and cant penetrate glass, but theyre the ones that cause sunburns.
UVA rays, which can get through glass, are more insidious because even when you cant feel it burning.
For that reason, youll want to make sure your sunscreen says , UVA/UVB protection, or multi-spectrum on the label. The term broad spectrum is the one youll most often see in the United States because its regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
Is sunscreen from Europe or Japan better?
Possibly. Sunscreens from other countries have a wider variety of sun-blocking ingredients. These sunscreens list a PA factor, a measure of UVA protection that ranges from + to ++++. The PA rating system was developed in Japan and is only starting to catch on here in the United States.
Monique Chheda, a Washington, DC-area dermatologist, adds that usually the two ingredients that provide UVA coverage are avobenzone and zinc oxide, so you definitely want to make sure your sunscreen has one of these.
To recap: Both UVB and UVA rays cause skin cancer and signs of aging, so always opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 or higher. Murad City Skin Age Defense SPF 50 sunscreen has a PA rating of ++++, indicating it has excellent protection against UVA rays.
Mineral Sunscreen Versus Chemical Sunscreen
The biggest difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens is how they protect you according to board-certified dermatologist Deborah Spey, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group, who highlighted that both types of SPF are proven to be safe and effective in reducing short- and long-term sun damage and skin cancer.
You may also come across mineral-basedsunscreens like the popular Blue Lizard Mineral-Based Face Sunscreen which means it is not an actual mineral SPF because it contains both mineral and chemical active ingredients.
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