How the Sunscreen You Are Using May, in Fact, Cause Cancer!

The AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) recommends the following, "Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15."

But have they really done their research? Exactly what are we putting on our children's skin, and what are the risks? Are they promoting the use of sunscreen because it's making them money or because they are looking out for the welfare of our children?

I recently bought Aveeno sunscreen for my baby's first trip to the lake. There isn't much shade there, and I don't want to cause skin cancer for her later in life, right? Well, now that I research a bit more, I may have been setting her up for a multitude of problems later in life including cancer! Just what I was trying to avoid.

I went on a search to see just what the risks may be in relation to the sunscreen that I applied on my infant. The results were alarming!

Octyl Methoxycinnamate

This was shown to be absorbed into my infant's skin, and up to 9 percent of it going all the way through her body, to be excreted in her urine. As a mom who is mindful of my child's health and only gives her all natural foods, I certainly don't want to discount that sunscreen is actually absorbed in her body. It can also cause estrogen-like hormone disruption, release free radicals, and break down in sunlight.

Benzophenone-3

Again, this absorbs into a person's skin, mimics estrogen to disrupt the natural hormones in one's body, and is a major allergen!

Titanium Dioxide

This was the least toxic of the bunch, and looks like it would be a good choice in sunscreens, as long as other scary chemicals weren't added to it.

Well, Burt's Bee's is a brand we can trust, right? That's what I use for my child's soaps and shampoos and lotions. Let's take a look at their "All Natural" sunscreen.

"Ingredients in this product are linked to Developmental/Reproductive Toxicity, Violations, Restrictions and Warnings, Allergies, and Other Concerns"

Included in ingredients are aluminum hydroxide, sodium borate, and sterilic acid. Hardly seems natural to me!

In looking at this, I think that sometimes the benefits may outweigh the risks, like when trying to avoid a painful sunburn when the sun cannot be avoided, but for the most time UV protective clothing and staying in the shade would be the best solution.

SolarWear features some great UV protective clothing and blankets that can keep our active little ones and ourselves safe from the sun's rays AND harmful chemicals. While the cost is a bit more than a tube of sunscreen, I think that my child is worth it!