Now that summer is here, we look at the latest issues with sunscreen. Finding the right sunscreen is a lot more difficult these days. There have been recalls for several cancer-causing agents, and many brands are considered harmful to ocean reefs.
The term reef friendly is not regulated. Experts are recommending sunscreen that contains only mineral UV-blocking ingredients like oxide and titanium dioxide. There are hundreds of brands, so check the ingredients.
The website savethereef.org asks to check the label and avoid these following harmful substances: In 2018, Hawaii passed the first-ever statewide ban on oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens. Soon after, island nations including Palau, Bonaire and Aruba did the same.
The American Academy of Dermatology says when selecting sunscreen, make sure the label says: This month the FDA announced Suntegrity Skincare initiated a voluntary recall of nine lots of Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Sunscreen Foundation based on its discovery of a higher than acceptable microbiological mold count in some tubes that developed post-release and over time in a recent test. A topical product that is found to be contaminated with Aspergillus sydowii could potentially cause an allergic skin reaction and related symptoms. It could also cause a primary fungal skin infection if used on open wounds or sunburned skin.
Also this month Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled five types of Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreens. “Exposure to benzene increa.
