We found this research to be shocking, very well written and properly statistically controlled. The study, conducted by a group at the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that Oxybenzone, also called Benzophenone-3 in ingredient labels, is measurable at biologically significant quantities in 97% of the 2,517 urine samples randomly selected from the US population for testing during 2003-2004.
Not surprisingly, test samples with the highest levels of oxybenzone belonged to females of non-hispanic white descent, (women with fair skin who use lots of sunscreen) and non-hispanic white children between the ages of 6 to 11 (whose parents put ultra high SPF sunscreens on them frequently). Children under the age of 6 were unfortunately not included in the test pool, but are likely at even higher risk since their skin is thinner, their bodies are more developmentally sensitive, and many of the ultra high SPF products are marketed towards babies, despite the fact that no petrochemical sunscreens are approved by FDA for use on children under the age of 6 months.
Only Zinc Oxide is!
The study cited numerous research papers detailing the estrogenic activity of oxybenzone and contamination of our drinking water and waterways. It also called for further toxicological and epidemiological studies to be done since none have been pursued thus far, despite the common use of this petrochemical in personal care products.
As a label reader, you should avoid petrochemical sunscreens and products that contain them. The benefits that they deliver are not worth the risk to your health and the environment.
Green Screen is good for you, and Kabana is now the sole natural sunscreen manufacturer that does not use nanoparticle zinc oxide in our products!
