Be A Savvy Sunscreen Shopper

The FDA’s new sunscreen guidelines go a long way toward making sunscreen labeling clearer. But there’s still a lot to know to become an informed sunscreen shopper. Keep these safety tips from the Environmental Working Group in mind as you stock your beach bag this year:

Avoid the sunscreen chemical oxybenzone, a synthetic estrogen that penetrates the skin and contaminates the body. Look for active ingredients zinc, titanium, avobenzone or Mexoryl SX.
Sprays and powders cloud the air with tiny particles of sunscreen that may not be safe to breathe. Choose creams instead.
New government data show that tumors and lesions develop sooner on skin coated with vitamin A-laced creams. Vitamin A, listed as “retinyl palmitate” on the ingredient label, is in 33 percent of sunscreens. Avoid them.
SPF 50+ does not provide longer-term protection when you’re in the sun. Stick to SPF 15-50+, reapply often and pick a product based on your own skin, time planned outside, shade and cloud cover.

Skipping the sun this summer? Try these natural self-tanners to get your bronze from a bottle.