Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Sunscreen Study

Ooh! I missed that. Thanks Texas Summer!

OMG, it gets worse. You can search make-up, toothpaste, etc.

Maybe Edith, but not Archie.

<smirk>

:p Let's hope not!

LOL!

Okay, I hate to be a cynic, but check out the Skin Cancer Foundation's list of products receiving their seal of approval:

http://www.skincancer.org/images/stories/documents/sealcombined.pdf

This is what is confusing to me. I read conflicting information about everything!!!! How do you know who to believe???

So does this mean I can go back to my spray sunscreen????

Well, here's my reading of this issue:

I think the study Questions posted was holding sunscreens to a higher standard than the FDA, which basically says they all meet the minimum requirements. This environmental group--which is suggesting we should demand more from these companies--says the bare minimum of safety that the FDA is allowing isn't enough.

Ultimately, you have to decide how much you care about sunscreen and whom you trust more. If you use a lot of sunscreen, you might want to get the really safe and effective stuff, just to be sure. If you only use it occasionally, maybe you don't care as much.

I confess, I probably won't throw out what we already have. But I probably will replace it with the more highly recommended stuff when we run out. That's where I am on the "fear of sunscreen" meter.

(FWIW, part of my take is that the FDA has lost a lot of its bite in recent years. I personally tend to treat what they allow as a starting point, not an endpoint anymore. At least, that's more-or-less what _Consumer Reports_ has been indicating in recent issues.)

I don't think the SCF has learned from the AMA's mistake. Here's what the SCF says on its website:

Buy a high-quality product with an SPF of 15 or higher; check its ingredients to make sure it offers broad-spectrum protection; and decide whether it works better for everyday incidental use or extended outdoor use. Finally, look for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, which guarantees that a sunscreen product meets the highest standards for safety and effectiveness. Once you choose the right sunscreen, use it the right way. But remember, you should not rely on sunscreen alone to protect your skin against UV rays. By following our guidelines, you can lower your risk of developing skin cancer, while helping your skin look younger, longer.

"Guarantees?" Didn't they run this by legal? LOL!

FYI, the AMA had a bit of a debacle from backing out of a planned endorsement with Sunbeam, as you might recall:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9902EEDB113DF93BA25755C0A96E958260

I expect the answer is somewhere between the two divergent list of products, but the list does make me stop and think...

LOL, Questions!

I guess the SCF doesn't say what exactly those "highest standards" are. Given that the top 3 sunscreen makers aren't on the environmental group's list, I guess "highest" is a relative term! :p

Questions, I think you are right and the answer is probably somewhere in the middle. Thanks for posting this!