Does anyone else find it incredibly frustrating that we can “do what we’re told” and trust that what we are being told is the right thing – then come to find out we’ve been steered wrong?

OK you’re probably wondering what the heck I’m talking about. But here’s where I’m coming from. We grew up wearing tanning oil – and maybe if it was REALLY sunny we’d wear Coppertone which had an SPF of maybe 4 or something. Then came the big scare. SKIN CANCER. We were damaging our skin permanently and seriously risking malignant melanomas. So we slathered on SPF 15, 30 and 45. Fair-skinned people like me never left the house without sunscreen.

Fast forward a decade or two. Now the newest discovery is that a key ingredient in most sunscreens – oxybenzone – can actually be causing more damage than the good it does. ARRRGGHHHH. The following is taken from EWG.org:

“A new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveals that 97% of Americans are contaminated with a widely-used sunscreen ingredient called oxybenzone that has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. A companion study published just one day earlier revealed that this chemical is linked to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. “

Of course, the FDA says it is safe. But guess what? The last time they reviewed it was in 1970. Maybe it’s time for the FDA to ignore the Cosmetics Industry lobbyists and do the right thing to fully investigate this and other harmful toxins that have been deemed “safe.”

I am beginning my own review of natural sunscreens and once I choose one that I think is the best I will offer it at www.gardengirlskincare.com. I’ll keep you posted!