Sunscreen Reviews

Reviews say that sunscreen ingredients are just starting to catch up with the discovery of how bad UVA rays are, and unless the product contains avobenzone (also called Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or Mexoryl SX (or Tinosorb outside the U.S.), you're not protected from UVA. There are two different types of UV rays in sunlight: UVB light causes surface sunburn, while UVA light penetrates and causes deeper connective tissue damage -- even when the skin surface feels cool. UVA light is the culprit for premature aging and cell-level damage. With the number of sunscreens on the market, it's important to know which ones will protect you from both UVB and UVA rays.

Dermatologists say that Mexoryl SX is the most effective UVA-blocking ingredient currently available. It has been used in Canada and Europe since 1993, but was just approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. in July 2006. However, sunscreen products containing Mexoryl SX (a trademark of L'Oreal) have been slow to enter the U.S. market. Right now, only a handful of products are available containing Mexoryl in the U.S. LaRoche-Posay Anthelios SX (*est. $30 for 3.4 ounces) is a facial moisturizer that contains Mexoryl SX. More widely available is Lancôme UV Expert 20 (*est. $35 for 3.4 ounces), a face and body lotion with Mexoryl SX. If you want the best possible protection, Lancôme UV Expert 20 an ideal mix of ingredients, but it's very expensive.

Helioplex is another advance in sun protection. Developed by Neutrogena, Helioplex boosts the UVA-blocking power of avobenzone, which otherwise begins to degrade after a couple of hours. (Mexoryl SX doesn't degrade in sunlight -- another reason why reviews say it's such a good ingredient.) There are actually two kinds of UVA rays -- short and long waves. Avobenzone protects against long-wave rays. Several ingredients, including the commonly used oxybenzone, can protect against short-wave UVA rays. Many sunscreens contain oxybenzone, but don't contain anything to protect against long-wave UVA. By including oxybenzone, companies are allowed to say their product protects against UVA, but unless it also contains avobenzone, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or Mexoryl SX, you are not protected against long-wave UVA rays. That's why skin-care experts say you should look for "broad spectrum" UVA and UVB protection.

Coppertone's Sport Lotion (*est. $10/4 ounces) initially sounds like the perfect protection for active folks -- it’s oil free, without greasy residue that could loosen your handgrip, and the sweatproof formula keeps this sunscreen out of the eyes and it's oil-free. This sunscreen is water resistant and comes in SPF 15, 30 and 50. However, reviews say Coppertone Sport Lotion sunscreen doesn't contain any of the recommended long-wave UVA protective ingredients (avobenzone, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb) that signify a complete sunscreen. Only the gel version, Coppertone's Sport Sunblock Gel (*est. $8/6 ounces) contains avobenzone as a UVA defense.

If you like the other qualities of these Coppertone Sport sunscreens, choose the gel, which comes only in SPF 30; however, reviewers say broad-spectrum UVA protection shouldn't be an "extra," but rather a given. Every sunscreen should contain UVA protection, so the gel formula is simply complying with current health standards -- not offering anything extra. At least Coppertone labels their products well, so you can easily see which ones contain avobenzone (also called Parsol 1789) by reading the front of the container.

Recently, nine lawsuits have been filed in California against the makers of five of the most popular brands of sunscreen in the U.S. -- Coppertone, Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat, Neutrogena and Bull Frog -- for misrepresenting product claims. These suits are mostly over matters that may make parents overconfident in sunscreen. You can read more about the suit below. According to reviews, one of the best sunscreens on the market is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock (*est. $10/4 ounces) . Although it does in fact protect from both UVB and broad-spectrum UVA light, the plaintiffs behind the lawsuit say Neutrogena should not call this product a "sunblock," since no product can block all harmful rays.  ... Continued

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Neutrogena sunscreen is recommended most often in reviews. Both the Active Breathable and Ultra Sheer formulas contain avobenzone to protect against long-wave UVA rays. Some formulas further contain Helioplex, which helps to stabilize avobenzone from degrading as quickly in sunlight. All of L'Oreal Ombrelle's sunscreen products have UVA protection with avobenzone and Mexoryl (or gentler titanium dioxide in the kids' formulas), but they are not available in the U.S. (you can, however, buy them from Canadian pharmacies and websites). La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX and Lancôme UV Expert 20 are the only products in the U.S. right now that contain Mexoryl SX, but Anthelios a facial moisturizer with sunscreen, not a full-body sunscreen. Lancôme UV Expert is for face and body, but it's very expensive. Blue Lizard Baby and adult formulas use gentler zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum UVA protection.