DANGER! Sunscreens

About 15 years ago I heard a dermatologist say that sunscreens were the primary cause of skin cancer, not the sun.

The more I’ve read since then, the more I believe him. Combine the harsh, toxic chemicals (many petroleum-based) in most sunscreens with the harsh, toxic chemicals in our moisturizers, perfumes and soaps, and we have a recipe for disaster.

Thankfully, there are mineral-based sunscreens that provide both UVA and UVB protection.

Click here to read a great article from Rodale.com discussing the current issues associated with sunscreens—what SPF really means, what sunscreens to buy, what ingredients to avoid, etc.

Also, make sure to visit the Environmental Working Group’s 2010 Sunscreen Guide, a great resource.

Spend two minutes reading either and you’ll know why I cringe whenever I see kids being slathered with creams that wouldn’t be out of place in a BP oil spill.