CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 8, 2025) — Finally! It’s bright, warm, and dizzyingly sunny here in our corner of the East Bay. So, let’s talk about sun safety. The first rule is to maintain an adequate barrier between your skin and Old Sol’s super potent UV rays.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its 19th annual evaluation of sunscreen effectiveness in May and made headlines with the results. EWG tested 2,204 brands of sunscreen and found only 498 to be both safe and effective. According to the EWG Guide: “Many sunscreens still fall short by offering misleading claims about protection, using outdated formulas, some even containing ingredients with potential health concerns. Federal sunscreen rules have remained largely unchanged since 1999, leaving consumers to navigate products with uncertainty.”

Sunscreens are either chemical or mineral. The mineral type acts primarily as a barrier (although there will always be some absorption), while the chemical type relies on skin penetration. According to University of Pennsylvania Clinical Professor of Dermatology Dr. Bruce A. Brod: “Chemical sunscreens are sunscreens that work because their chemical properties have the ability to absorb different wavelengths of ultraviolet light and prevent them from damaging the skin.”

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The EWG Report discussed FDA research focused on 16 commonly found sunscreen ingredients, with only two (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) identified as generally safe and effective. Two of the remaining 14, aminobenzoic acid and trolamine salicylate, are not considered safe, and the remaining 12 have insufficient data to determine, but at least one is considered a carcinogen. The report also called out the use of “undisclosed fragrances,” finding 36% of them associated with allergies, hormone disruption, and the possible development of cancer.

The report recommends avoiding:

High SPF products, as they do not provide significantly more benefit than lower SPF products and may foster a false sense of security in users.

Any product with oxybenzone, a known carcinogen and suspected hormone disruptor, which includes most spray and powder sunscreens.

The report recommends the use of mineral-based products with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for protection from overexposure in lotion or stick form.

The days of lengthy tanning sessions should have passed with the rotary phone and pagers. It is best to limit sun exposure and wear appropriate clothing, including hats and sunglasses. Remember to exercise caution at the beach, as both water and sand reflect UV rays and actually increase exposure. And, of course, always ensure children are well protected, as their skin is especially susceptible to UV damage, which can manifest later in life.

Here is a link to the EWG Sunscreen Guide: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/

Send comments for Nathalie Montijo to newwavenightingale@gmail.com.

Nathalie Montijo

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Nathalie Raven Archangel-Montijo holds a rather interesting array of degrees and certifications, including master’s in nursing and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). She has post-master certification as an adult geriatric primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) and a license to practice acupuncture in California (L.Ac). To round all that out, she is certified in infection prevention and control (CIC) and as an advanced certified Hospice and palliative care nurse (ACHPN).

She also performs in the outlaw country band, Nineteen Hand Horse.