7gen Bloc

With the passing of the summer solstice, we’ve entered what I call peak summer, those days when everything that makes the season one to savor can be had in such gladful abundance that even us hardened Vermonters are tempted to think winter might just never come again. Chief among these gifts is lots of warmth and the sunshine to go with it. That means slathering on the sunscreen, which evidence suggests might not be the safest idea under the sun.

Two years ago, I researched the issue of sunscreens for our newsletter and was surprised by what I found: most sunscreen chemicals, which are designed to be easily absorbed by our skin, cause the kind of mischief that might have us wishing for a rainy day. Some act as free radicals that damage cellular DNA. Others are endocrine disruptors. Some use new untested nanotechnology. It was like heading out for a day at the beach only to learn I was going swimming in a minefield. In fact, I found that few of the ingredients we’ve come to rely on were free of issues. And only one chemical, a relatively new compound called mexoryl, showed any non-toxic promise as a sunscreen.

Two years burning down the road, the mainstream press is finally picking up on the concern and asking questions about products that have previously been taken almost entirely for granted. Last week, for example, the Washington Post offered a short summary of concerns while the Denver Post gave its readers a much longer and more detailed look at the subject that featured several useful resources, including The Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen Guide.

I think generally we tend to overdo it on sunscreens when other strategies, like simply seeking shade during peak sun hours, would be much safer for us. Here’s our list of safe sun tips. Slather them on instead and enjoy the days!

photo: HBArt