Did you know the government does not have mandatory sunscreen safety standards?

Companies manufacturing sunscreen are allowed to make their own decisions regarding product quality and advertising claims. Recent research conducted by Environmental Working Group (EWG), a public health nonprofit, concluded that only 15 percent out of the 1,000 scrutinized sunscreens provide adequate UV protection without potential health risks. Yikes!

Moreover, there is a chemical ‘oxybenzone’ that is commonly used in sunscreen that should be avoided. The U.S. Center for Disease Control found traces of oxybenzone, in 95 percent of Americans. While a 1970 FDA study declares oxybenzone as harmless, a recent study by the EWG says otherwise – linking oxybenzone to allergies, hormone disruption, cell damage and low birth weight in baby girls.

So, do you need to make long sleeves and a hat a permanent part of your summer wardrobe? Nope, just be a savvy shopper – here is a list of the sunscreens most compliant as well as those that are most harmful: www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php

Happy sunbathing!