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Sunscreen

Skin cancer from exposure to sunlight is a serious health risk, but fortunately the American Cancer Society says that many cancer cases can be prevented by taking precautions such as avoiding the sun and wearing sunscreen. The latter step, however, can pose problems of its own.

Ironically, some sunblocks contain suspected carcinogens, including diethanolamine and related ingredients (DEA, TEA), padimate-o, and titanium dioxide. Other ingredients are suspected endocrine disrupters: benzophenone (oxybenzone), homosalate, octyl-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), and the parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, propyl-). Moreover, sunscreens can contain chemicals associated with skin irritation and rashes, including avobenzone (parsol 1789), benzophenone, octyl-methoxycinnamate, and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid).

Not only are these chemicals potentially bad for you, they're bad for the environment. Diethanolamine has been found in waterways around the country, posing a threat to animals and humans. According to the National Toxicology Program, benzophenone has been found in surface water and groundwater, as well as soil and air, and may affect the liver and bone marrow of animals ingesting large amounts of the water. This and other endocrine disruptors in sunblocks can also enter the water system when we swim or bathe, and from there can wind up in fish, amphibians, and marine wildlife, posing a threat to the animals' reproductive cycles.

Some solutions: For that famous Southern California lifeguard look, try bright white zinc oxide, which does not irritate skin and has not been linked with any environmental or health problems. For a benzophenone-free product, try California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen or Aubrey Organics Titania Sunblock SPF 25 (but it does contain PABA).

Whenever possible, wear sunglasses with UV protection, a wide-brimmed hat, tightly woven fabrics, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants or airy cover-ups such as caftans. Carry a parasol for that romantic Age of Innocence look. Severe sunburns in childhood may greatly increase risk of melanoma later in life, so children should be particularly well protected from the sun. Keep infants out of the sun entirely, minimize children's sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., put up big umbrellas at the beach or in the garden, and avoid using sunscreens on children younger than six months, unless there is no other way to protect them from the sun.

To fine the right product for you, read Green Guide's "Sunscreen Buying Guide."