Steer clear of these sunscreen brands during brutal Texas summer. Experts have this to say

Ella Gonzales
Ben Noey Jr./Star-Telegram

The popular sunscreen brands made by Neutrogena, Coppertone, and Banana Boat are all not recommended, according to dermatologists.

As Texans begin to spend time under the sun as the days grow warmer here in Fort Worth, exactly which brand of sunscreen should they use?

Sun Protection Factor, otherwise known as SPF, is a measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen. Its main job is to protect from UVB rays, which are what causes cancer. UVA rays relate to aging, which is also what people look to protect their skin from. All sunscreens have SPF protection from UVB. However, sunbathers should use a broad spectrum sunscreen to protect from both cancer and aging.

Every little bit of sun that your body is exposed to matters — it is why you should be wearing sunscreen everyday. While spray sunscreens are convenient, they lack sufficient coverage of your skin, resulting in unsafe sun exposure.

Dr. Kathryn Durham, a physician with U.S. Dermatologists in Fort Worth suggest an ounce-sized amount per every application. “This is enough to fill a shot glass. For the face and neck a nickel-size amount is sufficient. Most sunscreens come in three to five ounce containers, so one bottle of sunscreen should not last all summer,” Durham cautioned.

⚡ More trending stories:

→Snakes are crawling out of hibernation in Texas. Check the toilet before taking a seat.

→In Texas, set your thermostat at 80 when it's 100 degrees, expert says.

→Groceries at this national chain are the cheapest, study finds.

Another rule of thumb when using sunscreen is to always find the waterproof variety, if not water resistant. It should say on the front of the bottle. Most sunscreens are waterproof for 40-80 minutes, so be sure to reapply.

There are two types of sunscreen, chemical and physical. Dr. Durham uses both, they just have different ways of protecting your skin. Physical sunscreen reflects the rays off your skin, protecting your skin cells. Chemical sunscreen absorbs the sun rays and transforms them into heat, releasing warmth from the body.

“For my face on a daily basis I use a tinted mineral sunscreen either Elta MD UV Elements or Revision Skincare True Physical. In summer for my body, I tend to lean towards a chemical sunscreen as they absorb and perform really well, LaRoche Posay Melt in Milk.” suggests Durham.

Now you know what to look for when protecting your skin from aging and cancer, but how do you know what brands to trust? Here is a list of safe and unsafe sunscreen options.

What sunscreens are unsafe to use

Unsafe sunscreens, according to website draxe.com:

  • Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70

  • Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration Sunscreen Clear Spray, SPF 70

  • Bare Republic Clearscreen Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100

  • Banana Boat Ultra Defense Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100

  • La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen Lotion Spray, SPF 60

  • Australian Gold Botanical Natural Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70

  • Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100

  • Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100

  • CVS Health Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100

  • Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen Spray, Fragrance Free, SPF 70

  • Banana Boat Kids Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 65

  • Banana Boat Kids MAX Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100

  • Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 65

  • Equate Beauty Ultra Light Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100

What sunscreens are safe to use

On the other end, here are a glimpse into products you can trust, according to EWG’s guide to sunscreen:

  • Alba Botanica Hawaiian Face Sunscreen Lotion, Fragrance Free, SPF 30, $10

  • Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen Lotion, Aloe Vera, SPF 30, $10

  • All Good Sport Sunscreen Butter Stick, SPF 50+, $17

  • ATTITUDE Sunly Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Unscented, SPF 30, $20

  • Bsbo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, $20

  • Badger Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream, SPF 40, $15

  • Kabana Organic Skincare Green Screen D Sunscreen Lotion, Original, SPF 35, $10

  • Stream2Sea Every Day Mineral Sunscreen, Tint, SPF 45, $25

  • SunBioLogic Naturally Tinted Sunscreen Lotion, Light/Medium, SPF 30+, $25

  • Thinksport Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, $20

  • Waxhead Sun Defense Zinc Oxide Vitamin D Enhanced Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 35, $30

You can see the full list of safe sunscreen brands and products at EWG Research’s website.

Doctors stress the importance of daily application for healthy skin.

“Even walking to your car, you are getting sun! Sun exposure and risk of skin cancer is cumulative over your lifetime and daily protection is paramount to prevention of skin cancer. Daily exposure is also a contributing factor to aging,” she said.

Advertisement