As “experts” encourage the American public to slather on sunscreen before heading outdoors this summer, an investigation of 785 name-brand sunscreens by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has called into question the safety and effectiveness of these widely used products.

Most notably, 83 percent of the sunscreen products EWG evaluated either did not provide adequate protection from the sun, or contained potentially dangerous ingredients. The EWG report found:

• One in eight high-SPF sunscreens do not protect against UVA radiation, the type linked to skin damage, immune system problems and skin cancer.

• Many contain nano-scale ingredients with potentially toxic properties.

• Sunscreen ingredients may disrupt hormone systems, prompt allergic reactions, build up in your body over time and release skin-damaging free radicals.

• Many sunscreen ingredients break down in the sun and become ineffective.

• At least half of the products made misleading claims.

So how can you protect your skin and avoid these clearly dangerous sunscreen products? First realize that sun exposure is incredibly healthy and necessary for humans.

This is because the sun is what allows your body to create what has been dubbed as “the sunshine vitamin” -- vitamin D. It’s not wise to stay out of the sun entirely, or to only be exposed with chemicals on your skin, because you risk becoming deficient in this crucial vitamin.

What is wise is to get some sensible sun exposure on your bare (sunscreen-free) skin, while always avoiding getting sunburned. You can do this naturally by using clothing to cover up when you’ve had enough or using an umbrella for some shade. 

Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database