Why 80% of Sunscreens Just Aren't Good Enough

By SheSpeaksTeam May 19, 2015

As many of us begin to enjoy the warmer sunnier weather, we also must remember to have a tube or two of sunscreen handy. But with all the sun blocks on the market, choosing the right one can be confusing. And now a new study suggests that finding a sunscreen to truly protect our skin from sun damage is more difficult than we think.

Time reports about the Environmental Working Group’s new sunscreen review they recently released for 2015. The findings may be shocking to some as they state that a whopping 80% of sunscreens on the market offer “inferior sun protection or contain worrisome ingredients like oxybenzone and vitamin A.”

And by “worrisome” they mean that ingredients like Oxybenzone can be harmful since it is a chemical linked to hormone disruption and possible cell damage leading to skin cancer. The vitamin A may not be so great because it might heighten sun sensitivity which would be the opposite effect you’re looking for in a sunscreen.

The best take-away from the new report is to read your labels in order to know exactly what you are putting on your skin every day. Researchers also suggest the tried a true methods of skin protection like wearing light layers over exposed skin, limiting time in the sun, choosing a broad spectrum SPF of 15 or higher and reapplying at least every couple of hours.

What do you think of the new report that suggests 80% of sunscreens on the market don’t protect us enough?

How do you protect your skin from sun damage?