FREE Safe Sunscreen Guide from Friends of the Earth

4 October, 2010. Tags: Holidays Beach and Sun, Sun Damaged Skin

Nanoparticles in your sunscreen, moisturiser or mineral foundation

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are common sunscreen ingredients that reflect UV light. Most larger particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are white and opaque, so they can be seen on the skin (although some companies have found a way to make these larger particles transparent).

Particles can also be ground down to an extremely small 'nano' size, where they become clear. In 2006 the Austeralian Therapeutic Goods Administration said that 70 per cent of titanium dioxide sunscreens and 30 per cent of zinc sunscreens contained nanoparticles.

Health risks from nanoparticles

Despite evidence that nanoparticles can be toxic, the government doesn't require labelling of products that contain nanoparticles.

If nanoparticles are inhaled, eaten or absorbed through our skin they could cause serious damage. Which is ironic considering many cosmetics companies advertise products containing them as 'absorbing easily into the skin'! Studies suggest that nanoparticles can produce free radicals and cause DNA damage - exactly the nasties that sunscreens are supposed to prevent.

Friends of the Earth Safe Sunscreen Guide

You can download the Friends of the Earth Safe Sunscreen Guide at the end of this page, under the Friends of the Earth video.

This great guide will help you tell the good guys from the baddies, and stay safe in the sun. Our own sunscreen ranges are nano and chemical-free:

Please note that although John Masters' sunscreen doesn't feature in the guide, it is also free of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are a topic that John has gone on the record to vigorously oppose.

Unfortunately, Friends of the Earth also told us that our lovely new Daily Defence Moisturiser from Living Nature may contain nanoparticles - so we've removed it from the site. Which is a shame because we're so happy with their ingredients and ethos on every other level. Shucks!

We were also surprised to see that UV Natural, Jurlique, Paula's choice and Kosmea all use nanoparticles in their sunscreens.

Take action

If you would like to be sent a free printed copy or copies of the guide, contact Friends of the Earth directly at .

To tell the government that nanoparticles must pass safety testing and be labelled, email Minister for Health Nicola Roxon () and Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler ().

Good luck and safe suntanning!