2023 Sunscreen Report -- It's All About the Lips!

Do you wear lip balm with SPF?

Great!

 But, when was the last time you checked the ingredients?

 You may be surprised to learn there are some dangerous chemicals found in some lip balms that contain SPF. We certainly were. What’s scarier is we put these chemicals directly on our lips.

For the last few years, Freedom Medi-Spa has done extensive research on sunscreens, and offered various comparisons to our clients, followers, and fans.  Our goal is to educate you to make the best choices when shopping for sunscreen for yourself and your family. Our sunscreen reports have been shared hundreds of times and remain an excellent resource on sun safety. Read our reports from 2020, 2021, and 2022.

This year, we want to pay special attention to our lips. We do think it’s important to protect your lips against harmful UVA and UVB rays. But it’s also important to know what you’re putting on them.

We’ve pulled 10 popular lip balms that contain SPF and we’re ranking them. As in the past, our scale is as follows:

Low Risk: contains mild-risk chemicals like Avobenzone and Octisalate (Remember, there are risks with all chemical ingredients)

Moderate Risk: contains Homosalate and Octocrylene

High Risk: contains Oxybenzone and Octinoxate (please never use these products, especially on your children.)

Our favourite sunscreens get a Glowing Seal of Approval.

How do your favourites stack up?? SPOILER ALERT: they almost all fail.

 In the High-Risk Category:

 ·      Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0, Octinoxate 6.75%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 2.0%, Oxybenzone 5.4%, Petrolatum 31.0%

·      Banana Boat Sport SPF 15

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.0%), Octocrylene (10.0%), Oxybenzone (6.0%)

·      Blistex Medicated Lip Balm with 15 SPF

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone (2.00%), Octinoxate (6.6%), Octisalate (4.4%)

·       Carmex SPF 15

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Oxybenzone (4%), White Petroleum (35%)

·      JB Moisture Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0% and Octinoxate 7.5%, Petrolatum 40.2%

·       Sun Bum Lip balm with 30 SPF 

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.00%), Homosalate (15.00%), Octinoxate (7.50%), Octisalate (5.00%) 

·      EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 36

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Zinc Oxide (7.0%)

In the Moderate Risk Category:

·      Coola Lip Luxe SPF 30

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 4.0%, Octisalate 4.0%, Octocrylene 10.0%

In the Low to No Risk Category:

·      Burt’s Bees All Weather Moisturizing Lip Balm SPF 15

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (11%)

Did you know that we carry the Jane Iredale Lip Drink with SPF 15 and the ONLY active ingredient is Titanium Dioxide? You might want to pick one up the next time you're in.

Have you looked at the ingredients in your favourite sunscreen?

Purchasing sunscreen can be overwhelming, and many of us have favourites — from the price, to the fragrance, to how it’s applied, we all have preferences when it comes to the SPF we select.

As we all know, reading the ingredients on sunscreen labels is incredibly important. There are still some sunscreens on the market that contain harmful chemicals that no one should be putting on their skin. Also, certain sunscreens, like spray sunscreens, pose potential inhalation risks that need to be considered.

So, how does your favourite sunscreen stack up?

We’ve compared over 30 sunscreens and categorized them by GREEN — safe to use, AMBER — use with caution, and RED — STOP USING IMMEDIATELY.

NEW THIS YEAR, we’ve added a special chart for spray sunscreens specifically.

It’s important to remember that even sunscreens from the same company or brand contain different ingredients, so don’t be surprised if similar sunscreens are categorized differently.

So, without futher adieu, here is our 2022 Sunscreen Comparison.

Any surprises or sunscreens you’ll reconsider?

With school ending this week and summer camps on the horizon, be sure to stock your cabinets and knapsacks with quality sunscreen and safe ingredients.

2022 Sunscreen Report

It’s that time of year again for the Freedom Medi-Spa Annual Sunscreen Report.

If you are new to Freedom Medi-Spa, you will quickly learn we advocate for daily SPF use, regardless of the season or the weather. If you are a long-time Freedom fan, we appreciate you refreshing your sun and sunscreen knowledge to better protect your skin.

Remember: any single bad sunburn can increase your chances of developing melanoma by approximately 50%. That’s a pretty scary number. So, it’s imperative to remember just how important sun avoidance and sun protection is.

Read as much or as little of this report as you wish. We have tried our best to make it as simple as possible. Of course, if you have any questions, you can always contact us.

As you know, we recommend daily sunscreen on your face and neck -- no matter the weather, rain or shine, indoors or out! Our AlumierMD 40 SPF sunscreens are mineral-based and also protect against Ultraviolet-C Radiation, which comes from blue light from our screens.

Wearing a daily SPF will help keep our skin cells protected and our collagen intact. 

But with summer here, let's talk beach visits, sitting poolside, hanging out at the cottage or simply going for a walk on a beautiful day.

What do we use all over our bodies?

How do we protect ourselves and our kids from over exposure of UV rays?

 There are a few things we can do:

 ·       Try to avoid peak exposure hours of 12-4pm when possible,

·       Wear SPF protection clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and protective sunglasses at all times,

·       Look for the shade or bring an umbrella with you to a beach or picnic,

·       And of course, wear and re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours. 

And now for the sunscreens – which one to use?

Well, as we’ve said before, no two sunscreens are alike, and some sunscreens contain potentially harmful ingredients. The good news is, over the years, some sunscreen manufacturers have changed their formulas, and new brands are on the market.

All that said, it’s important to READ THE LABELS.

Our Stop, Caution and Go System will help you make the safest choice in the sunscreen aisle.   

The SAFEST sunscreens to use are ones that contain mineral ingredients. These ingredients are not absorbed into the skin. This sunscreen is often called “Mineral” or “Physical”.

Look for the Active ingredients section. If you see Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide and/or Mexoryl, you are good to GO!

We understand that sometimes, the texture or experience of a mineral-based body sunscreen isn’t desirable. We have heard from our clients and tried many ourselves – some sunscreens will leave a white cast, go on thick or sticky – and we don’t all love that.

So, what do you do then?

There are a variety of sunscreens on the market that, while they contain some Active Chemical Ingredients, pose low or medium risk – and the benefit of wearing it outweighs the danger.

We suggest you use caution with these sunscreens as the ingredients pose a moderate risk. They may cause hormone disruption. I will also be putting sprays and powders into this category as you do need to be cautious during application. 

These ingredients include:

 ·       Homosalate: ideally should be no more than 5%. If it’s more than 10%, avoid it altogether.

·       Octisalate: may cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis, also a possible hormone disruptor.

·       Octocrylene: high rate of skin allergies, new findings show this ingredient is easily contaminated with Benzophenone, a known carcinogen. It has been deemed safe in amounts under 10%. 

·       Avobenzone: low to moderate risk of endocrine disruption as well as testosterone.  

All sprays or powders: Due to the inhalation risk, we recommend holding your breath while spraying or applying. Do your best to avoid inhalation. Don’t forget to spread! To ensure even coverage, you still need to spread with your hands, otherwise, you’ll be sure to miss a spot or two.

If you see the following ingredients, OXYBENZONE or OCTINOXATE -- STOP. These active ingredients are known to cause hormone disruption and could be carcinogenic. They get an absolute red light from us. If you have sunscreen at home with these ingredients, toss!

We hope you find these reports informative and helpful. Thank you to Environmental Working Group and Cancer.org for help with our research.

Stay tuned for our sunscreen comparisons – coming soon!

Ingredients to Watch For When Buying Sunscreen

We have officially hit the first long weekend of the summer! Yahoo!

As you know, we ALWAYS encourage sun safety and for the last few years, Freedom Medi-Spa has provided an extensive sunscreen report, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence for when you’re out buying sunscreen.

We are currently working on our 2022 list, but in the meantime, we wanted to remind you of the INGREDIENTS TO AVOID when stocking up on sunscreen.

Firstly, it’s important to wear a 30+ SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen on your face and body daily, and to reapply every 2 hours of sun exposure, or after swimming or excessive sweating.

We recommend purchasing sunscreens with mineral-based ingredients ie. Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide or Mexoryl. Look for a minimum of 5% of each mineral-based ingredient. This will help the sunscreen to keep stable for a longer period. Some with lower percentages will degrade quickly - you'll need to reapply sooner than 2 hours.

Here’s the thing: we know it’s sometimes difficult to avoid all chemicals. That said, some chemicals are more dangerous than others and some are known carcinogens. 

That’s why it’s imperative to READ THE LABELS.

Here’s the quick and dirty:

On the good list – Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide or Mexoryl

On the mild-risk list – Avobenzone and Octisalate

On the moderate-risk list – Homosalate and Octocrylene

And on the PUT IT BACK ON THE SHELF list – OXYBENZONE and OCTINOXATE.

When shopping, if you discover your fave sunscreen has ingredients on the mild or moderate risk lists, look at the percentage of that particular ingredient – the lower, the better – and try and stay less than 10%. 

Protection from the sun still outweighs the risk in many cases, but it is a good idea to compare the bottles and find ones with the least possible risk.

Shopping for kids? Be mindful because sometimes, the kids’ sunscreens have MORE chemical concentration than the adult ones. 

Of course, at Freedom, we carry AlumierMD Sheer Hydration and Clear Shield which are 40SPF mineral-based sunscreen and safe for everyone, including babies 6 mos and up. 

Stay tuned for our sunscreen report and send us a photo of your sunscreen for us to assess!

Enjoy the long weekend!

2021 Sunscreen Report

Let’s get right to it, shall we? 

Not all sunscreen is created alike. As consumers, we must be diligent to research the sunscreen we are applying to our bodies, as well as our children’s bodies. As our skin is the largest organ, it will absorb what we apply – this is why understanding what’s inside our products is not only important but imperative for our safety. 

As more and more research is conducted on sunscreen, you are going to notice a real shift in what’s sold in stores and online. Just this week, studies in the US found Benzene in some popular sunscreens. We have already contacted Health Canada and will await a response to see if they will be conducting similar studies here.

As you have come to know, we will always remind you to apply sunscreen – every day – and if you’re exposed to the sun (beach, pool, park, golf, garden, etc), reapply liberally. While the safest way to reduce your sun exposure is to stay covered, it’s also a good idea to stay out of the sun during peak hours.

I’ll add a third rule here: opt for MINERAL or PHYSICAL sunscreens, not chemical ones. Mineral sunscreens sit on your skin. Look for active ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These may go on a bit thicker (although they have come a long way), but they are the safest and the only ingredients that get a Green Light from me this year. 

To complicate this even further, the SPF on the label may not be 100% accurate. Studies state a mathematical equation (I know!) needs to be used to accurately calculate the actual protection factor. Zinc percentage is equal to 1.6 % coverage and Titanium Dioxide is equal to approx. 4% coverage. (Chemical sunscreens also have to be calculated, but require an in-lab sunscreen test.) The moral here: don’t entirely trust the number on the label. The higher the percentage of Zinc and/or Titanium Dioxide = the better.

While there are many sunscreens that make the RED LIGHT or AVOID list this year, it’s important to know why. If you see ingredients like Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, PUT IT DOWN. These ingredients have been known to cause cancer, as well, they are hormone disruptors. Further, if certain chemicals have high percentages, stay away. (ie. 10%+ of Homosalate is too high)

And finally, the moderate risk or CAUTION category: these are sunscreens that are still chemically based, but do not contain the 2 mentioned above. It’s best to use caution with these sunscreens and try and purchase a mineral sunscreen instead. 

If you have a mineral-based SPRAY sunscreen, you get a pass on the ingredient list, but a warning on type – there are still many debates on the efficacy of application with a spray sunscreen, as well as the particles that can end up in the air and into your lungs. If using a spray, only spray your body and hold your breath when you do, move away from that area, and then rub in the product. 

Here is the 2021 Freedom Med-Spa Sunscreen Report:

Summer 2021 Sunscreen Tips

Did you know sunscreen guidelines often change year over year?

It’s true. Thanks to new research and studies, as well as new products, it’s important to review sunscreen guidelines so you are being as safe as possible when it comes to sun protection for you and your family.

Here are our Top 10 Sunscreen tips for Summer 2021:

10. Avoid sunscreens that list alcohol as one of the first ingredients. It will likely be very irritating and drying.

9. Be wary of the word “organic”. They are called "organic" - because they contain carbon. All "organic"/ chemical filters are found in our bloodstream even up to weeks after an application. There is still so much unknown about what these organic/chemical filters can do in the body, and when combined together. It's best to avoid them.

8. Sprays: We understand the convenience, but we still don't know the effect of what these particles do when they accumulate in the lungs. If you must use a spray, hold your breath and move away to breathe afterward. Also: spray and then rub it in, so that you have proper coverage. Otherwise, it is likely a very uneven application.

7. Rule of thumb: apply 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon of SPF on your face and neck (back of neck and ears inc), daily. It feels like a lot, but you will get used to it and your skin will thank you! To ensure proper SPF coverage daily, don't forget to apply on your ears, feet/toes, back of the neck, etc. On your body, the guideline is 2oz or 4 tbsp. of sunscreen.

6. Men also need to be using SPF daily! If they are bald, they must apply to their entire head or wear a proper hat each day.

5. While driving, you can still get UVA damage. Wear SPF on your face, neck, and arms daily, if you are driving often.

4. Sunscreens may not really be the SPF you think they are! Therefore, a lot of the SPF ratings are actually inadequate. What does this mean? Apply and reapply often.

3. Did You Know: a 30 SPF filters 96.7% and a 60 SPF filters 98.3% — that means if you apply a generous amount of 30 SPF and reapply it vs. applying a thin layer of 60SPF and don’t reapply, you are going to have better protection with your 30!

2. What is GRASE? GRASE is an FDA rating and means Generally Accepted As Safe and Effective. This past year, the FDA removed all previously approved sunscreen filters except for 2: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Look for sunscreens with these active ingredients.

1. While it may be inevitable to be in the sun, and while Vitamin D is good for you, the proper use of sunscreen is to PREVENT SUNBURN. If swimming or sweating, remember to re-apply more often than the 2-hour recommendation.

Do you have any sunscreen questions?