Which sunscreen?

[Pat Lamb]

I think you missed what DaveB was saying, which is that the alleged "very toxic and harmful" ingreedients the OP says are in common sun screen at not toxic and harmful at all.

Except in high doses in lab rats.

Some people are frankly scared of (OMG!) Chemicals!  and Chemical Names!  And there is a limited set of peer-reviewed studies and scientific journal articles that indicates there may be some problems.

My personal opinion is that the risks of severe sunburn and skin cancer far outweighs the risk of sunscreen and sunblock indicated by these studies.  (And further, if we started publishing systematic chemical names to phytochemicals and antioxidants found in natural food, we'd start a trend of people who are afraid of the names starving themselves to death.  Or maybe gorging on Twinkies.)

Hijacking this thread ever so slightly: can someone who's used long sleeve sunblocking clothing describe what it's like riding in 90 degree weather with 70% humidity at noon?  That kind of riding in Kansas, Missouri, Alabama, and Tennessee leads me to sunscreen and the thinnest, lightest, short sleeve or sleeveless jerseys I can find.

[John Nelson]

Step 1. Read all the articles about sunscreen chemicals.
Step 2. Read all the articles about sunscreen effectiveness.
Step 3. Figure out which articles you believe, if any.
Step 4. From the articles you believe, make a list of the dangerous chemicals and a list of the effective chemicals.
Step 5. Read the ingredients on the sunscreens in the store.
Step 6. Select one contains the effective chemicals but not the dangerous chemicals.

If we each apply this procedure, we'll all walk out of the store with different brands. Some will walk out with nothing. Step 3 is the difficult step.

[hem]

I think you missed what DaveB was saying, which is that the alleged "very toxic and harmful" ingreedients the OP says are in common sun screen at not toxic and harmful at all.

Gessh I thought I was agreeing. 

[Pat Lamb]

Step 1. Read all the articles about sunscreen chemicals.
Step 2. Read all the articles about sunscreen effectiveness.
Step 3. Figure out which articles you believe, if any.
Step 4. From the articles you believe, make a list of the dangerous chemicals and a list of the effective chemicals.
Step 5. Read the ingredients on the sunscreens in the store.
Step 6. Select one contains the effective chemicals but not the dangerous chemicals.

If we each apply this procedure, we'll all walk out of the store with different brands. Some will walk out with nothing. Step 3 is the difficult step.

John,

I think you forgot  #7:
Step 7.  Buy the one that's on sale.

[rjones35]

I might be late replying, but here you go. http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/
I was worried about using "bad" sunscreens too.  If you ride enough you put a lot on, and those chemicals have to build up.  I like the All Terrain Terrasport.  Lasts all day, doesn't sting my eyes, rubs in pretty well, and does a good job preventing sunburns!!  I've also noticed that it helps keep me a little cooler.

[mucknort]

Neutrogena helioplex 70 spf

This is what my dermatologist recommended for our family's 4 month trip of daily application as being safest and most effective. It worked great. Only time will tell regarding chemicals vs skin cancer, but our dermatologist is highly respected. Clothing is the only anti-chemical alternative, but try to get clothes that are SPF rated.

[DaveB]

. Clothing is the only anti-chemical alternative, but try to get clothes that are SPF rated.

Actually there are several shirts, etc. that have an SPF rating.  Campmor and other outdoor shops sell them and give the SPF numbers in their catalog decsriptions.   

[yumadons]

I'm a fair skinned Arizona rider who goes thru a spray can of sunscreen every 3 days and used to just pick the "on sale" brand of the day. Both dermatologists I've seen have recommend Neutrogena and it does have the added perk of not staining your clothes. I spent a half hour in Walmart one day looking at all the sunscreens to see if any were labelled as non-staining of clothes and there aren't any. So when you're touring with only 2 outfits, it's nice not to ruin them