Neutrogena: Worst Sunscreen?

           With so many sunscreens on the market, how do you know which ones to choose and which ones to avoid? Well according to a recent article released by The Environmental Working Group (EWG), Neutrogena is the worst brand for sun protection due to toxicity and false advertising. With regard to toxicity, many Neutrogena sunscreens contain harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate. With its use in sunscreen as a broad-spectrum UVB and short-wave UVA protector, oxybenzone acts as an endocrine disruptor, interfering with the hormone system and potentially causing developmental disorders and birth defects. By acting like estrogen, it is associated with endometriosis in women and alters sperm production in males.

Retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, is another harmful ingredient found in as much as 33% of Neutrogena sunscreens. While vitamin A, or Retinol, is used in many skin products to slow the signs of aging, its use as an ingredient in sunscreen is controversial due to its effects when exposed to sunlight. While evidence is not definitive, a US government study found that it “may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight.”

Neutrogena’s advertised SPF levels of over 70 have been debunked by the US FDA. An abundance of research shows that SPF levels max out at about 50, so don’t let sun care brands convince you into paying more for a higher SPF!

Please remember that any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen. That being said, we recommend the following sunscreens that are safe and effective:

Theraderm

Sunfogettable
SolBar