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Donna Feldman
Denver Health ExaminerDonna Feldman grew up in New Jersey with a nutrition-obsessed mother who put wheat
germ in everything. She rebelled, but during a college all-nighter, she picked up a copy
of a popular nutrition paperback, eventually earning a Master of Science in Nutrition at Cornell University. She now has a private practice in nutrition counseling in
Boulder County. Contact her at health.examiner@mindspring.com.
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Showing entries for Category: sunscreen
Sunscreen weekend ahead
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by Donna Feldman, Denver Health Examiner
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Beware UVA and UVB, especially at high altitude (MS Clip Art)
Last August the FDA published a list of proposed sunscreen labeling rule changes. The proposals addressed the lack of attention paid to protection from UVA rays. The SPF we see on labels refers to protection from UVB rays, which are responsible for burns. UVA rays cause tanning, but are linked to aging effects, like wrinkling, and suspected of contributing to skin cancer. The proposed rating system would be based on 4 stars, and would be featured prominently on the package. 4 stars would mean excellent UVA protection. Products with no UVA would list “No UVA Protection”.
So what is the EWG’s gripe? They want the FDA to enact and enforce those label changes. Not content to push for FDA action, EWG tested almost 1000 sunscreen products for UVA protection and other qualities. Conclusion - only 15% of products tested met with their approval. The EWG disapproves of a number of common sunscreen ingredients, which explains why so few of the products currently on the market made their list of top picks. When you link to the sunscreen hit list off the EWG website, you are redirected to something called “Skin Deep”, a cosmetic safety database. Solicitations for money donations feature prominently on most pages on this site.
My favorite product, from Rocky Mountain Sunscreen based in Arvada, didn’t make the cut. Seems the oxybenzone content is not approved by EWG. Ironically, oxybenzone is included in sunscreen specifically as a UVA protection ingredient. Rocky Mountain sunscreen in fact lists UVA protection, although at the moment there is no star-rating system on the label. Despite EWG disapproval, Rocky Mountain Sunscreen notes that it’s product was "the only non-clothing product featured in the American Cancer Society's inaugural catalog of sun protection merchandise."
Choice of sunscreen products is strictly individual. I like RMS products because they provide good protection and don’t have perfumes. I personally will not be switching to another brand based on this report. Whether you go along with the EWG’s list or just grab whatever is cheapest, do use sunscreen. Our high altitude demands it.
Information on high altitude sunlight from the Rocky Mountain Sunscreen website: UV intensities increase with altitude because objects are physically closer to the sun. In general, intensity increases at a rate of 6% per 1000 ft. above sea level for the same latitude. For example, at 5000 ft. the sun is 30% stronger than at sea level. At 10,000 ft., the sun’s intensity increases by 60%. At very high altitudes, the sun’s characteristics also change due to the thinning of the atmosphere.
Topics: sunscreen , UVA , UVB , SPF
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