Sunscreen or Sunblock Lotion causes skin cancer?

[Planogirl]

I take it all in and, while I'm not going to take EWG's recommendations as gospel, I do think they are on to something. They haven't been the first to raise the issue on some of these chemicals, the vitamin A issue, and even the nano-mineral issue that might exist with the safer sunscreens. I just err on the side of caution and try to buy the best one that I can afford. It can't hurt to go with their recommendations.

As it is, I cannot use most of the "caution" or "avoid" sunscreens anyway. I have found them all to be effective in the sunblock area but they mess up my skin so bad (reactions, blisters, welts, etc) that I have unknowingly been using the "good" ones for years. I think it's interesting that I happen to react to the poorly rated ones. Maybe for someone like me, who is very sensitive to the additives and have problematic skin, these warnings might be good for me.

They might be on to something, there's no doubt about that. I also keep in mind that there are those opposed to every chemical but I'm not convinced that every chemical is bad.

It sounds like you have some skin allergy issues so I can well imagine that this makes you wonder. If I had those I'd be all about these more natural sunscreens too.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

My big problem is that the "best" sunscreens on the list don't seem to work all that well. I obviously haven't tried them all, but I have tried the Jason and Badger products - both would "melt" off of my skin when I sweated and cause me to burn in streaks.

I am very sun-sensitive (I have Polymorphic Light Eruption and break out in itchy rashes from the sun in the spring before my skin has gotten used to sun exposure again - hence, I wear sunscreen year round) and shield my skin from the sun whenever possible. However, I also run and running is one activity where I can't cover up head to toe in the summer or else I would just die. I rely on a good sport sunscreen when I run... .and I tried the more natural stuff and ended up going back to my Banana Boat.

 

[Ember]

Everything seems to be causing cancer, or illness of some sort, in humans these days. I just heard they are now saying the wooden pallets that they use to deliver food can cause illness. Nothing is safe anymore. All the pesticides that are used in spraying our fruits and vegetables, the growth hormones they inject into our meat, etc. I even wonder about the mosquio repellant we spray on our skin. It's just everything anymore.

Maybe we ought to go back to growing our own food, raising our own cows (for milk and beef), and just living off the land like the pioneers did.

Cancer rates, overall, are on the decrease in both prevalence and incidence for almost all forms of cancer. We can also expect a much longer lifespan than our pioneer ancestors. It's easy to look back at the past with rose colored glasses, but I'm happy with the time I live in.

I was just about to post Christine's link!

Here is another...

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/a...-hidden-danger-in-lotions-and-sunscreens.aspx

(if you have to sign up to read it, it just asks for your email address. Lots of good articles on his site about lots of stuff!)

Also, this is not a research site, it is the site of one Dr. Joseph Mercola. I'm sorry, but have you actually read up on this guy? He is an evangelical Christian who ignores science to promote his own non-pharmaceutical approaches. He also doesn't support the use of prescription drugs and surgery to treat diseases, again despite any actual evidence. In addition, Mercola has received two warnings from the FDA for marketing nutritional products in a manner which violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

I'm sorry, but I'm not buying a single thing from this website (either idea or product wise!). It's not science, it's just jibberish.

Anyone have a real source for this sunscreen issue? Because otherwise I'll stick with using the same sunscreen I've been using.

The second site quoted, the one with the sunscreens rated, is funded from "private foundations, individuals and select corporations." What do you want to bet that their funding is from those top rated sunscreen manufactures? The ones that cost a lot and are only found in specialty stores... My quick look at this company and it's history also lead to some interesting financial dealings.

*http://activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/o/113-environmental-working-group

I don't care to look further, because this is enough to show me that this, again, is not science.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to make light of the fears people face. And having just watched my mother die of cancer, I completely understand the fear and terror. But sites such as these pray on that fear and convince people, using very little, if any, factual information to make expensive and non-logical choices. These sites are not science, they are not factual, and they are spreading fear at an alarming rate.

 

[MosMom]

Coppertone is a 3 and that is what we use. That is good enough for me.

 

[SAHDad]

I take it all in and, while I'm not going to take EWG's recommendations as gospel, I do think they are on to something. They haven't been the first to raise the issue on some of these chemicals, the vitamin A issue, and even the nano-mineral issue that might exist with the safer sunscreens. I just err on the side of caution and try to buy the best one that I can afford. It can't hurt to go with their recommendations.

As it is, I cannot use most of the "caution" or "avoid" sunscreens anyway. I have found them all to be effective in the sunblock area but they mess up my skin so bad (reactions, blisters, welts, etc) that I have unknowingly been using the "good" ones for years. I think it's interesting that I happen to react to the poorly rated ones. Maybe for someone like me, who is very sensitive to the additives and have problematic skin, these warnings might be good for me.

Whereas I cannot use many of the natural ones. I am allergic to aloe, and every $%($&* company is putting it into their "hypoallergenic" products. My current sunscreens are both something like a "7", but, considering that (1) they do a decent job preventing sunburn, and (2) without them, I can turn bright red in less than 30 minutes, I'll accept a (possibly) slightly higher risk in one area in order to prevent blistering sunburns.

 

[FireDancer]

I am more concerned about the contribution of sun screen to the vitamin D deficiency then causing cancer. I don't use sun screen all the often thanks to being mostly Sicilian and having nature take care of it but when I do I don't think too much about it. I am concerned about all the chemicals and crap we put into our bodies but since I eat much more often then I apply sun screen I concentrate there.

I really do like Mercola's site and get lots of good information there but I also lean towards natural cures and prevention first and prescription drugs only as a last resort provided a natural alternative exists. His philosophy isn't for everyone and I would suggest going to the sources for the information he provides. I use the site more as an aggregation for the kind of information I value and it is almost always sourced and linked. If his kind of information isn't for you that is fair enough.

 

[Planogirl]

The one I use is a 5. I think that I'll stick to that for now.

 

[Ember]

Whereas I cannot use many of the natural ones. I am allergic to aloe, and every $%($&* company is putting it into their "hypoallergenic" products. My current sunscreens are both something like a "7", but, considering that (1) they do a decent job preventing sunburn, and (2) without them, I can turn bright red in less than 30 minutes, I'll accept a (possibly) slightly higher risk in one area in order to prevent blistering sunburns.

Considering there is a wealth of actual science to support the direct link between sun exposure and skin cancer, this seems a perfectly rational choice. Any tan is a sign of skin damage.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Some parents are such sheep they believe the "must use sunscreen" mantra without thinking.

Just read the ingredients, do a little research and at least make an informed decision on which brand/type to use.

 

[npmommie]

christine I have seen the ewg site, I use it frequently and am on their email list.
last summer I bought the Aubrey ( which is on their good list ) and we all burned!
we now use the coppertone waterbabies spf 50, I think it got a 3 rating, but we don't burn
but I do use the sprays too sometimes, because frankly at the beach I want to be certain i get every inch of the kids skin and get it quick, otherwise, they are off and running! and re applying is so much easier.
we have used the banana boat one

I am leary of chemicals too, but I also know that in my youth I did a lot of sunbathing without sunscreen and have now had moles removed because of it
I have seen the california baby at target, its funny years ago you couldn't find that stuff anywhere. I may try it this year

 

[Planogirl]

christine I have seen the ewg site, I use it frequently and am on their email list.
last summer I bought the Aubrey ( which is on their good list ) and we all burned!
we now use the coppertone waterbabies spf 50, I think it got a 3 rating, but we don't burn
but I do use the sprays too sometimes, because frankly at the beach I want to be certain i get every inch of the kids skin and get it quick, otherwise, they are off and running! and re applying is so much easier.
we have used the banana boat one

I am leary of chemicals too, but I also know that in my youth I did a lot of sunbathing without sunscreen and have now had moles removed because of it
I have seen the california baby at target, its funny years ago you couldn't find that stuff anywhere. I may try it this year

If that's at Target, I might check it out. Thanks for posting that.

 

[LisaR]

I am more concerned about the contribution of sun screen to the vitamin D deficiency then causing cancer. I don't use sun screen all the often thanks to being mostly Sicilian and having nature take care of it but when I do I don't think too much about it. I am concerned about all the chemicals and crap we put into our bodies but since I eat much more often then I apply sun screen I concentrate there.

I agree. All of this talk about everyone being deficient in vitamin D has led to an influx of supplements. I don't want to supplement when I can get something naturally. I don't have a lot of faith in supplements and do not believe all are entirely safe. Instead, I use very little sunscreen and allow my body to absorb as much natural D as possible. I only make sunscreen mandatory is when we are going to the beach in the middle of the day. We tend to go after 4pm so we don't use it often. I do carry a tube with me just in case I am caught outdoors for an extended period of time and feel myself or my kids starting to burn. Mainly, we try to avoid sunscreen whenever possible while still getting out in the sun as often as we can.

 

[FireDancer]

I agree. All of this talk about everyone being deficient in vitamin D has led to an influx of supplements. I don't want to supplement when I can get something naturally. I don't have a lot of faith in supplements and do not believe all are entirely safe. Instead, I use very little sunscreen and allow my body to absorb as much natural D as possible. I only make sunscreen mandatory is when we are going to the beach in the middle of the day. We tend to go after 4pm so we don't use it often. I do carry a tube with me just in case I am caught outdoors for an extended period of time and feel myself or my kids starting to burn. Mainly, we try to avoid sunscreen whenever possible while still getting out in the sun as often as we can.

I'm pretty much the same. If I am heading to the beach or going to be outside doing yardwork for hours at noon I'll put some one. I probably apply it 10 times or less per year.

 

[npmommie]

I agree. All of this talk about everyone being deficient in vitamin D has led to an influx of supplements. I don't want to supplement when I can get something naturally. I don't have a lot of faith in supplements and do not believe all are entirely safe. Instead, I use very little sunscreen and allow my body to absorb as much natural D as possible. I only make sunscreen mandatory is when we are going to the beach in the middle of the day. We tend to go after 4pm so we don't use it often. I do carry a tube with me just in case I am caught outdoors for an extended period of time and feel myself or my kids starting to burn. Mainly, we try to avoid sunscreen whenever possible while still getting out in the sun as often as we can.

I agree with this, I let the kids run around outside without sunscreen on, if it seems like they might burn, I put it on, but they definitely get at least 15-30 min a day without......at least. i do the same
the only time it goes straight on is if its a beach day.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm pretty much the same. If I am heading to the beach or going to be outside doing yardwork for hours at noon I'll put some one. I probably apply it 10 times or less per year.

You are very fortunate to not have to apply it more often that that. I am a fair skinned Irish lass with a history of skin cancer in my family. My kids and I have to wear sunscreen daily for at least 6 months out of the year. I'm more concerned with higher risk of cancer than the lower risk of a Vitamin deficiency.