As we mentioned in our May 6^th, 2010 post The Environmental Working Group reviews sunscreens for effectiveness, eco and health-friendly levels. Their 2010 ranking was recently released (and featured on NBC newcasts this week). Check for your brand, and possible alternatives that may be better for you, your skin and the planet.

EWG Sun Protection Summary

The EWG list includes child-safe sunscreens as well, which is sadly a timely topic in the face of a heartbreaking news story last week: a sunbathing British mother apparently enabled her 5-month old to get severe burns over 40% of his body via lack of sun protection. The child was hospitalized with the blistering burn, which were potentially life threatening due to side effects of dehydration and heat-stroke.

How best to protect your children? Well, NONE of us should really be sunbathing at any age, but as stated in this BBC story:

Very young children should be kept in the shade; older children, when out in the sun, should wear protective clothing including a hat, have high factor sun cream regularly applied and drink lots of fluids to stay safe and well.

In this related video from BBC News, it’s interesting to note that most of those interviewed displayed proper protection, including hats and sunglasses. Whether England is more aware of sun dangers or they represented the conscientious minority, we all can take a page from their stylebook and cover up.

Tags: awareness, Prevention, Skin Cancer

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 10:36 am and is filed under News/Events, Science and Studies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.