For years, we’ve been told to slather on the sunscreen to prevent cancer and aging..but now there are reports that certain chemicals common in sunscreen may actually be CAUSING cancer!
Researchers at Environmental Working Group say that only 39 of the 500 most popular sunscreens they tested were considered safe and effective to use!
The most disturbing info from their report was that almost half of the 500 products tested contain vitamin A and its derivatives, retinol and retinyl palmitate, which actually speed up the cancer that sunscreen is used to prevent when exposed to sunlight. Yikes!
The sunscreen industry uses Vitamin A in its products because it’s an anti-oxidant and slows skin aging (Great, everything I buy is for anti-aging and sun protection!)
So, now sunlight PREVENTS cancer?? Recent studies say that humans need sunlight to produce Vitamin D – which actually helps to PREVENT cancer! These studies have linked vitamin D to decreased risk of colorectal, breast, prostate, ovarian, bladder, lung and skin cancers.
In fact, many doctors actually recommend spending 15-30 minutes a day in the sunlight sans sunscreen to get adequate Vitamin D for cancer prevention! Wow! I’m so confused.
With all the conflicting info, what are we to do? Well, I wouldn’t hit the beach unprotected just yet! These are just a couple reports, and there will always be others that say the opposite. But for starters, if you use sunscreen check the label. Avoid products that contain vitamin A and its derivatives like retinyl palmitate as well as oxybenzone.
Wear a hat or stay in the shade to protect your face from the rays, and maybe allow your arms and legs to get some sun for Vitamin D. I guess, as with everything else in life, anything is OK in moderation.
Visit the Environmental Working Group website for more info and their list of best sunscreens to use at http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/
Peace, Love and Sexiness
Angie O
Be sure to check back often at www.PositivelyCelebrity.com for all my beauty and health advice!
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