We've blogged in the past about the importance of wearing sunscreen. I've even admitted that I'm good at putting it on my kids, but don't always take the time to protect myself. That's actually changing, especially as I notice I easily get brown spots on my face from too much sun that don't go away. Yuck. When it comes to choosing a sunscreen for myself, I'm never quite sure which product to buy. Do I go with a trusted name-brand, or are the generic products just as good? Which is better: the lotion or spray-on variety? A new study ranks the best products on the market, and the findings might surprise you. The study, conducted by Consumer Reports magazine, tested 22 sprays and lotions to measure their effectiveness at blocking UVA and UVB radiation. UVA damage leads to premature aging of the skin. UVB is primarily responsible for sunburns. Target's Up & Up Sport Continuous SPF 30 won top honors for both effectiveness and cost. Three other brands were also highly rated based on their protection and cost: • Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 30 • Coppertone Sport Ultra Sweatproof SPF 30 • CVS Fast Cover Sport SPF 30 Although a few of the products tested did not perform well (and coincidentally, some were the most expensive), most received high ratings for effectiveness. At that point, buyers often choose products based on feel and smell. Research has shown that if someone doesn't like the smell or texture, the turnoff makes them less likely to wear any sunscreen at all. Take your time choosing a product that works well, but that you also like. "In a change from previous years, the new report warns that ingredients contained in many of the sunscreens have been associated with adverse health effects in animals. For example, seven of the 22 sunscreens tested by the magazine contain retinyl palmitate, an antioxidant that animal studies have linked to an increased risk of skin cancers. The ingredient also readily converts to retinoids, which are found in some acne medications and which studies have linked with the risk of birth defects." This information shouldn't scare people off from wearing sunscreen. The research is ongoing, but it's important to be an informed consumer. Experts recommend staying out of the sun during peak times if possible, but when it's not, wearing sunscreen is still your best option. What do you think? |
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