Jul 1, 2008 6:05 pm US/Mountain
Study: Many Sunscreens Just Don't Work
DENVER (CBS4) ―
People trust their sunscreen to protect them, but a new report finds four out of five sunscreens don't do the job, and many of them also have potentially harmful ingredients.
The report looked at more than 900 products and only about 150 passed the test.
"There are some good ones, but I think you need to be realistic about what a sunscreen can do," CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said. "You still need to use sunscreen; just the right ones the right way."
The study came from the non-profit Environmental Working Group who took a look at more than 400 studies and databases and found there is a lot of misinformation out there about sunscreen with price, brand name and claims on the label.
"The study says many products are not that good, meaning they don't provide the protection they say they do," Hnida said. "They don't last on the skin as long as they say they do and some contain ingredients that may cause allergic reactions."
The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate sunscreens, so a manufacturer doesn't have to prove any claim made on the label.
The study says terms such as "chemical free," "broad spectrum," "all day protection" and "waterproof" are buzzwords that may not hold up in the court of science.
That means people may not be getting protection from cancer-causing ultraviolet rays. Some products actually break down in sunlight and lasts on the skin for mere minutes. And some possibly harmful chemicals also may be absorbed into the body.
"This does not mean sunscreens are a waste of time," Hnida said. "No matter which you choose, I would make sure you apply the product at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun (then) reapply the product at least every 2 hours and before and after going into the water."
Next year the FDA will have a system up and running which will regulate claims made on labels.
Additional ResourcesGo to the following link to find ratings for sunscreens and get a list of which ones may not protect you like they claim:
Sunscreen Summary — What Works And What's Safe
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