Tag Archives: Suncreen

Oxybenzone, Nanoparticles, Ethyparaban, whatchamacallit, and the Kitchen Sink

3 Nov

Maybe because I am in my late 20s I’ve been pondering the big things I should be getting on to. By now, I figure, is the age when I should get into things I truly believe and have genuine interest in. This means I no longer will keep trying Green Tea when people offer it to me as I am 120% sure it will always taste like fish food — no matter the brand/freshness/price/yadda yadda. I also know that I’m not fond of the semillion varietal of vino, people who don’t have a strong ‘Goodbye’ on the phone, overly hipster breakfast joints and running. I enjoy the odd jog, but walking and looking/stopping/smelling/and conversing with others who are trying to enjoy their run is so much more fun (I know I get in the way of your run, but wasn’t that such a lovely conversation we just had?).

It’s now the 3rd of November 2012 and just about as good a time as any to sort myself out for the new year. I’ve only every done a few New Year Rezohs, but each time I have set a goal on the NY, I’ve stuck to it pretty well, so that’s a good thing eh!

For 2013 I’m going to get in touch with chemicals. All of them – from hair products to eye cream to cleaning products and heck, even to feminine products. All of these things I’m going to scrutinize and find out if there is a 1) a healthier option and 2) a way I can make it myself.

In 2013. I am going to be pretty busy finding out what these long words starting with enzo, izo, poly, shizaz, mojaz, hiraz paraben business is about. And I’ll try to blog about it along the way.

If you have any advice… pleasseee let me know. I’ve started using organic and paraben free products a long time ago, but it is sneaky — these potentially pesty chemicals and I have much to learn.

For example, I love my Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblock Lotion because it’s not greasy and stays on while I’m splashing around in the waves. It is also important for me to always have something on hand as I live in an extremely sunny climate (awesome yes) but also in an area where the ozone is thin.

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However, according to EWG Skin Deep, a website that allows you to search for products and break down the ingredients so you know what you are using, this sunscreen scored a 5 (medium risk) because among other chemicals like parabens galore it contains 5% Oxybenzone which has been scientifically proven to have an effect on “Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes!”

Yikes! I don’t want to toxify my organs more than they already are (Thai food will do it to ya) so if I stick with Neutrogena I might go instead with the Pure and Free SPF 50, which scored a lower risk of 3 but also has some nasty stuff in there.

However, if I really wanted to go the extra mile — and I think I will for this — I might consider making my own sunscreen using this recipe or this recipe from a fellow blogista. I’ll let you know how it goes….

And with that, I am dumping out this semillion and going for the good stuff — Gelato! And two scoops please!

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I LOVE YOU MAMMA!!! You are gorgeous!

 

 

** Edit – I could also purchase an organic and safe SPF from Whole Foods/Pharmaca etc, but the going price for 8oz of this product alone is $40! Plus, I don’t live in the States, I live here, so sunscreen here is normally double the price. To minimize the cost, I will make my own and hopefully offset it by going in with a friend. This means hanging out with friends, saving money and being healthy all in one go. This new years rezo is looking good already.