Tweet Sunscreen CAUSES Skin Cancer?!!

On May 24, 2010, a study was released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) stating that more than half of all popular sunscreens may actually increase the speed at which malignant cells develop and spread skin cancer because they contain vitamin A or its derivatives retinol and retinyl palmitate. In fact only 39 out of more than 500 products examined were considered safe and effective. Tumors and lesions developed up to 21 percent faster in lab animals coated in a vitamin A-laced cream than animals treated with a vitamin-free cream

Other additives cause harm including the hormone-disrupting chemical oxybenzone, which penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream. Titanium dioxide that is made nanosized may also have serious health implications.

The full list of the best and worst sunscreens can be found on the EWG's searchable database here.

Read a media report here.

As an FYI, a few of the WORST sunscreens are:
• Banana Boat Baby Max Protect, SPF = 100
• iS Clinical SPF 20 Powder & Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 30
• Hawaiian Tropic Baby Creme Lotion SPF 50
• Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection SPF 55
• Anthony Logistics for Men Sunstick SPF 15
• Panama Jack Naturals Baby Sunblock SPF 50
• Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
• Baby Blanket Tender Scalps Scalp Sunscreen Spray for Babies SPF 45+

For your convenience, a few of the best (and safe) sunscreens are shown here:

The full list of other safe sunscreens can be found here.