Though Summer is approaching its end, it’s definitely not over yet and for many, temps are well up into the hundreds and the sun is beating down while we all try to pack all our remaining to-dos into what’s last of the season.  While many suggest staying out of the sun between prime hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for those of us who enjoy all the outdoor activities that summer brings, that can be difficult - especially with all-day beach trips, fairs, vacation or just yard work.  It’s important to remember to stay protected both from potentially harmful rays and from toxic sunscreens.

Erbaviva recently sent me their SPF 15 to try out and I’ve been using it while on vacation these past few weeks.  It is hands-down one of my favorite sunscreens.  The scent is pleasant, doesn’t turn my skin a pasty white and rubs in nicely.  What’s nice is that this can be used by adults and kids alike so there’s no need to purchase separate products for different family members. Alike conventional sunscreens which use synthetic and toxic ingredients like oxybenzone, Erbaviva uses Titanium Dioxide to coat the sun and shields the suns rays.

What’s the big deal about oxybenzone you ask?  Last year The Center For Disease Control released a study citing the potentially harmful effects of this chemical.  Just check out a portion of the statement here:

CDC: Americans Carry ‘Body Burden’ of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical
CONTACT: EWG Public Affairs, (202) 667-6982
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

WASHINGTON, March 25 – The bodies of nearly all Americans are contaminated with a sunscreen chemical that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A companion study from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that the same chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy.  The chemical, oxybenzone, is widely used in sunscreens. Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) analysis of ingredient labels found that nearly 600 sunscreens sold in the U.S. contain oxybenzone, including products by Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat. Although oxybenzone is most common in sunscreen, companies also use the toxic chemical in at least 567 other personal care products, including lip balm, lipstick, moisturizers and fragrance for women.
Oxybenzone was last reviewed for safety in the 1970’s but since then significant new evidence has been published on its toxicity and pervasive exposure. A recent review by the European Union found insufficient data to determine whether oxybenzone in sunscreen is safe for consumers.

“These studies are the latest in a long list of reasons the Food and Drug Administration must thoroughly review the safety of all chemicals used in sunscreens Americans use every day,” said Rebecca Sutton, a scientist with EWG. “FDA must do what it promised 30 years ago: Enact permanent, enforceable federal safety standards for sunscreens so consumers can get the best and safest sun protection.”

EWG research shows that 84 percent of 910 name-brand sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients, like oxybenzone, with significant safety concerns. These products are on the market because FDA has failed to finalize sunscreen safety standards that have been under development since 1979, but has instead issued a series of delays and revisions at the request of the personal care product industry. FDA issued a new draft of the standards last October under pressure from EWG, but continues to delay finalizing the standards at the behest of the regulated industry.

EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment. The group’s research on oxybenzone is available online at http://www.ewg.org/node/26212.