The summer vacation season is finally here and many schools are now out for the season or about to get out. Pools are opening and beaches are gearing up for a season of sun bathers, kids and adults that are looking to enjoy a cool dip in the pool or a just a little time in the sun. However, in a new report by the Environmental Working Group, researchers have found that as much as 80 percent of sunscreen products don't work to the level they claim, and some could even be dangerous.
The Environmental Working Group reviewed more than 17,000 SPF products for the new study and found that four out of five of the products failed to work properly.
The EWG noted that the biggest concern were products with high SPF claims of 70 or even 100-plus. The Food and Drug Administration has noted that there really is only notable protection up to SPF 50.
Another huge issue raised by researchers are the chemicals used in these sunscreen products. Experts said that just like the food we eat, we need to flip over the bottle and read the fine print on the back. One ingredient that should be avoided at all costs is oxybenzone.
"If you look at a sunscreen, flip over the back and if is says zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as one of the first ingredients, that's one that we would recommend," IU Associate Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Dr. Anita Haggstom says.
Those ingredients indicate a protective sunscreen, rather than a chemical sunscreen which can be absorbed into the skin. Dr. Haggstrom said that absorption can be dangerous, so try using other ways of protecting your skin.
"If you combine sun protective clothing and sunscreen, you're really only putting sunscreen on a more-limited area of the body. Even for swimming purposes, there are lots of great swim shirts now that have SPF in them that are short sleeve or long sleeve and then you actually reduce the amount of body surface area you're using sunscreen on," Dr. Haggstrom says.
Many doctors also prefer that people use lotions instead of sprays, because sprays can be inhaled leading to other potential dangers.
When it comes to babies, doctors recommend keeping any infants under the age of six months out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Haggstrom said that taking advantage of time is the best option to allow your small children access to outside while keeping them safe from the sun. Go outdoors before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. when the sun is much less harsh to avoid many of the potential harmful effects of too much sun.
