Being a couple who suffers with infertility (causes unknown for us both), my heart always sinks when I see articles like this! So sad when things like our sunscreens (something that we wear to be SAFE!) contain toxic ingredients that can cause us and our unborn babies harm. The two ingredients below in bold (when used in sunscreen), can disrupt the endocrine systems and cause fertility issues because of their reaction with the sunlight. It can alter men's sperm, cause multiple female fertility issues, Endometriosis, and even speed up cancer when used in high doses. My husband spent 3+ years working outside, and spent 2 years in Mexico on his mission...slathered with toxic sunscreen. I'm sure the effects weren't good. I've also been buying and using these unsafe brands my whole life. After reading this, I purchased some Blue Lizard sunscreen online!
A 2008 study showed that Neutrogena is the most harmful brand. Please don't purchase it, Banana Boat, or Coppertone. Our poor bodies are already so bogged down with toxins from foods, pesticides, cleaners, beverages, etc. Why add to it?!
There are 2 lists of harmful sunscreens toward the bottom of the article, along with a list of safe ones. Many brands like Badger and Blue Lizard are also available at Walgreens. Below is a list of safe brands I found available on Amazon that are mentioned in the article, I'm sure there are more...
Badger
Blue Lizard
Think Baby
Think Sport
Sunology
Raw Elements
Babo
Alba
Adorable Baby
Loving Naturals
Goddess Garden
Solbar
Article link:
Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is part of a class of aromatic ketones called
benzophenones, and is used in many sunscreens, hair sprays, cosmetics and nail
polishes. It is also used in plastics to absorb ultraviolet light. With its use
in sunscreen as a broad-spectrum UVB and and short-wave UVA protector, it is
acts as a endocrine disruptor.
Endocrine disruptors like
oxybenzone interfere with the hormone system, potentially causing cancer, birth
defects and developmental disorders. A 2008 study looking at the effects of oxybenzone on
juvenile rainbow trout and Japanese medaka, found that those samples exposed to
the ketone produced a decreased number of eggs, a smaller percentage of
fertilized eggs and a smaller percentage of hatched, or viable, eggs.
According to EWG, oxybenzone acts
like estrogen in the body and alters sperm production in males. It is also
associated with endometriosis in women and may cause fertility problems.
Oxybenzone is detected in nearly every American and found in
mothers’ milk.
Retinyl Palmitate
Retinyl palmitate is a
form of vitamin A used in sunscreens and has been found to accelerate cancer in
high doses applied to the skin. While the evidence is not definitive, says EWG, it is
troubling. A U.S. government study found that it “may speed the development of
skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight.”
Vitamin A, or Retinol, is
also used in many skin products that promise to slow the signs of aging,
however its controversy as an ingredient in sunscreen is due to its effects
when exposed to sunlight. The harmful effects of retinyl palmitate include
brittle nails, hair loss, liver damage, osteoporosis and hip fractures. Norwegian health authorities have
also urged women pregnant or breastfeeding to avoid any products with vitamin A
due to the skeletal birth defects it may cause.
