Are you Confused about What Sunscreens are Safe?

    If you are confused about what sunscreens are safe, you’re not alone.  My search for a safe sunscreen started about five years ago when I put a well-known sunscreen onto my five year old son and he immediately started crying because “it burned”.  He developed a rash everywhere the sunscreen was applied.  This particular sunscreen contained Oxybenzone.  According to the Environmental Working Group’s research on safe sunscreens, one of the most common ingredients in non-mineral sunscreens is oxybenzone found in 60 percent of all sunscreens on the market. Oxybenzone, can trigger allergic reactions, is a potential hormone disruptor and penetrates the skin in relatively large amounts. Some experts caution that it should not be used on children.

Another area of concern is when Vitamin A in the form of Retinyl Palmitate is added to sunscreens.  According to the EWG, recently available data from an FDA study indicate that a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions (NTP 2009). This evidence is troubling because the sunscreen industry adds vitamin A to 41 percent of all sunscreens.

We at Acacia Organics have searched for some of the safest sunscreens on the market.  One of the sunscreens that we carry is Soleo Organics.  This sunscreen is an organically produced all-natural skin care solution that is safe for humans and the environment.  As a matter of fact, this sunscreen was created by surfers to protect humans from sunburn and skin cancer.  During the development process, it was found to also protect marine life by eliminating the oil slick on top of the water and rid the ocean from the chemicals found in sunscreens that damage marine life.

Another sunscreen that we carry is Badger.  Both Badger and Soleo are rated as two of the safest sunscreens on the market by the EWG.  Both contain non-chemical protection against UVA and UVB rays by using Zinc Oxide.  For those who prefer Titanium Dioxide, we also carry Lavera and California Baby whose sunscreens are also highly rated by the EWG.  For more information, please email us or give us a call at Acacia Organics.