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Erica Leazenby, MD, IFMCP, Chef Erica Leazenby, MD, IFMCP, Chef

2019 Sunscreen Product Ratings

Picking a sunscreen can be daunting. You want a product that protects you from the sun that also feels comfortable on your skin. This season there is new information to consider when making your product selection.

Many people know that I have always been one to do my homework when making purchases. In light of the new information published this spring about the absorption of sunscreens into our bloodstream, I reevaluated the products I have been using. This year I used a combination of Consumer Report’s top picks, Amazon top sellers and Environmental Working Group (EWG) safety ratings to identify quality products.

Read on to see my top picks.

Picking a sunscreen can be daunting. You want a product that protects you from the sun that also feels comfortable on your skin. This season there is new information to consider when making your product selection. In February, the Journal of American Medical Association published a study demonstrating that sunscreens are readily absorbed into the blood stream through the skin.  The study suggested we need further research to understand the impact the sunscreens may have on our health.

Many people know that I have always been one to do my homework when making purchases. In light of the new information about the absorption of sunscreens into our bloodstream, I reevaluated the products I have been using. This year I used a combination of Consumer Report’s top picks, Amazon top sellers and Environmental Working Group (EWG) safety ratings to identify quality products. Because of the safety concerns with aerosolized nanoparticles I did not research spray sunscreens. My recommendation is to avoid them all together. Read more about the criteria I use for evaluating sunscreens.

The EWG rates product based on ingredients safety and efficiency with the best score being a 1 and the worse score being a 10. The Consumer Report assigns an an overall score based on aggregate information from testing of UVA protection, SPF rating and variation from SFP rating claims. A higher Consumer Report number is better.

Amazon sunscreens with 1500 or more ratings and an average score of 4+ stars.

Consumer Report’s Professional Top Rated Products:

So what is my final pick? As you can see the choice is challenging. When I take into consideration effectiveness, safety and price I plan to use Badger Active Natural or California Kids lotion this summer.

(This blog post is not sponsored by any manufacturer. However, Relish Health may receive a commission on purchases made through an Amazon link.)

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Erica Leazenby, MD, IFMCP, Chef Erica Leazenby, MD, IFMCP, Chef

How to Choose the Best Sunscreen

Summer is here and many of us are stocking up on sunscreen. With numerous chemicals, formulations and strengths available it is hard to know which is ideal for you. 

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Summer is here and many of us are stocking up on sunscreen. With numerous chemicals, formulations and strengths available it is hard to know which is ideal for you. 

Below are some tips to consider when shopping:

  • Avoid oxybenzone. The Journal of American Medical Association published a study in February 2019 demonstrating that sunscreens are readily absorbed into the blood stream through the skin. Oxybenzone is a chemical UV absorber that may mimic human hormones. This means it can interfere with the endocrine system that regulates our metabolism, growth and reproductive system. Additionally, oxybenzone can be a trigger for allergic skin rashes. Beyond human safety, oxybenzone has a negative impact on the ocean ecosystem.

  • Be wary of high SPF ratings. Many of us equate a high SPF (sun protection factor) level with increased protection. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Sunlight is composed of UVB rays which can burn our skin, and UVA rays which can penetrate our skin to accelerate aging and trigger skin cancer. SPF is a rating of a product’s ability to protect the skin from UVB rays.  A high SPF level may give us a false sense of security that we are adequately protected from both UVA and UVB rays. The American Dermatology Association recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays. When looking for a sunscreen, look for a product that offers UVA/UVB coverage. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two ingredients that are not absorbed into the skin so they are safer to apply. They also provide both UVB and UVA protection for more complete coverage.

  • Avoid sunscreen sprays. Sunscreen sprays may be convenient, but there are risks associated with inhaling the small chemical particles. Additionally, application can be challenging. It is difficult to know if you have used enough sunscreen to cover all sun-exposed areas of the body, which may result in inadequate coverage and a spotty burn. 

Looking for additional guidance when choosing a safe and effective sunscreen? Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen Guide or see my blog on the products I use.

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