The safest sunscreens for summer and ongoing exposure in 2024.

Top Sunscreens for 2024: Safe Use in Summer and Throughout the Year

Brianna explained, "It was more about socializing for us. We'd go to my friend's pool and lie there for hours without sunscreen. We even used tanning beds before prom to achieve that tan look. Getting tanned was our main priority."

However, Brianna's friend Alicia's melanoma diagnosis at age 19 shifted their perspective. "She started researching and learned she might not survive for another five years. Fortunately, her doctors performed a wide excision, successfully removing the cancer."

Realizing the risks, Brianna now regularly visits a dermatologist every six months since spotting two questionable moles, one on her neck and the other on her shoulder, that could have developed into melanoma.

Despite consistent warnings about skin cancer and premature aging, around 32% of American adults under 35 continue to believe a tan gives a healthier appearance. According to a recent survey, 23% of young adults believe drinking water is enough to prevent a sunburn, and 14% of those younger than 35 consider daily sunscreen use more harmful than sun exposure itself.

Brianna theorized, "Many people trust advice from social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter that might not be entirely reliable."

Dr. Rajesh Nair of the Orlando Health Cancer Institute expressed concern. "There's no safe tan, and no research demonstrates any benefit from drinking water when exposed to the sun. Furthermore, some sunscreens containing chemicals are less dangerous than daily exposure to the sun."

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released their annual Sunscreen Guide, analyzing 1,700 chemical and mineral sunscreens. They found that only a quarter met safety standards. Current sunscreens either contain chemical or mineral ingredients. Mineral products like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are ideal because they sit on the skin and physically deflect sunlight, as opposed to absorbing UV rays like chemical-based sunscreens.

The report differentiates sunscreens into various categories such as recreational, daily SPF, and baby/children varieties. Spilman, EWG's healthy living science program manager, advises choosing mineral-based sunscreens. "Mineral sunscreens, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, don't absorb into the skin and remain harmless to the environment."

The EWG-verified products, found in the 2024 Guide, must have an SPF between 15 and 50, use no banned market claims, and provide UVA performance data from independent labs.

The report highlights a growing trend of Americans purchasing imported sunscreens from countries like Japan and Europe, where safer ingredients have been utilized for years. These sunscreens, found on platforms like Amazon and Temu, achieve over 20,000 monthly sales. While satisfying, it's illegal to import these sunscreens due to FDA's lack of approval for their ingredients. "These products are not available for sale in the US, so purchasing them and bringing them back home could result in confiscation," cautioned Spilman.

The FDA has been attempting to update sunscreen standards since the late 1990s. In 2021, the FDA proposed a new set of sunscreen safety guidelines, including stronger UVA protection, clearer labeling, and limiting SPF to 60 for increased safety. They also suggested more testing for aerosols. (source: https://www.businessinsider.com/paraphrased-guide-sunscreens-skin-cancer-dangers-2024)

The authorities have mandated sunscreen companies to give more details about the safety of a few of their commonly used components that have raised questions or face potential removal from the market, according to a report.

In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that there isn't enough information available in public records to determine the safety and effectiveness of cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, oxybenzone, or avobenzone. "Generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) is the term used by the FDA.

Despite the FDA's call for the industry to provide this data by 2022, 2023, and 2024, the deadlines have passed without any action taken, as confirmed by Homer Swei, senior vice president of healthy living science at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

The FDA has emphasized the need for this information several times, and the 2024 deadline is looming. Swei believes the FDA will eventually need to make some tough decisions regarding these ingredients.

The industry insists sunscreens are harmless

The Personal Care Products Council, an industry trade group, disagrees with the EWG's sunscreen recommendations in a written statement, claiming they mislead consumers into thinking sunscreen products are dangerous, jeopardizing public health.

The Council and its member companies are still collaborating with the FDA to provide additional safety data on numerous UV filters to uphold consumer trust in the safety and efficacy of these crucial products.

Additionally, the Council highlighted that while globally acknowledged filters are unavailable in the US, they are in use in other regions, leaving American consumers with limited options.

Oxybenzone, a questionable component, is losing ground

A four-year decline has been seen in the utilization of the UV ray blocker oxybenzone, which has been associated with human health issues and coral reef destruction.

In 2019, oxybenzone was present in 60% of all sunscreen products analyzed by the EWG, then dropping to 30% in 2022 and finally reaching just 6% of examined products in 2023 and 2024. This encompassed not only sunscreens but also daily moisturizers and lip balms with sunscreen.

“In 2023, we saw a significant drop which suggested that manufacturers and developers were starting to avoid the ingredient, even in the absence of FDA regulation,” Spilman explained.

“By 2024, no new items containing oxybenzone had been introduced, but there was a substitution with other chemicals that can be absorbed by the skin and may potentially disrupt hormonal systems.”

Regardless of these concerns, the use of sunscreen is essential to maintaining skin health, according to experts, and it's vital that people continue to wear sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days. Additionally, prioritizing safe sun practices followed by sunscreen application is paramount, as advised by Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, a former interim chief medical and scientific officer and deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.

We've been using a phrase from Australia for a long time: "Slip, slop, slap and wrap," Lichtenfeld previously told CNN. "Slip on a long-sleeve shirt, slap on a wide-brimmed hat, slop on the sunscreen, and use UV-protective sunglasses that wrap around the eyes to protect from the sun." Sunscreens are an important part of these tactics, but they should not be the primary strategy.

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Brianna now prioritizes her wellness by regularly visiting a dermatologist to monitor her skin health and prevent skin cancer.

Despite the controversial nature of oxybenzone, many people still prioritize wellness by using sunscreens containing this ingreduent to protect their skin from sun damage.

Source: edition.cnn.com