While sunscreen should be used all year around, even in heavily overcast skies, be aware of what is in them!

Problems with Oxybenzone was in the news last year, but now Avobenzone, Octocrylene and Ecamsule have also become problematic. These ingredients increase in the bloodstream after sunscreen use.

Animal studies have raised concerns that the chemicals, Oxybenzone in particular, might disrupt normal hormone patterns in people, the FDA researchers noted in their study.

“These molecules are chemical rings, essentially, and they absorb light,” said Shinkai who co-wrote an editorial accompanying the study.” Chemical rings are also the fundamental basis for a lot of hormones, and chemical rings tend to enter cells.”

Oxybenzone has been found in human breast milk, amniotic fluid, urine and blood, the FDA researchers said.

For its study, the FDA randomly had 24 adults apply either a sunscreen spray, lotion or cream four times a day for four days. The participants applied the sunscreen to three-quarters of their body surface.

The study took place in a lab, and the agency drew 30 blood samples from each participant over a week to see whether the chemicals in the sunscreen got absorbed through the skin.

Like many chemicals in our environment and products we use daily, these types of chemicals can cause endocrine disruption as well as neurotoxic effects.

“There is definitely reason for concern, because if you think about it, any medication you buy over the counter, you would expect that everything is in there has been tested, it’s safe, it’s effective,” Shinkai said “This has never been proven for sunscreen.”

Of the 16 active sunscreen ingredients used in products on the U.S. market, only two non-nano-sized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been deemed safe for human use by the FDA. The agency recently proposed new regulations to ensure the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens.

Sunscreen is a real key to protecting your skin from the sun and preventing skin cancer, but are you using it correctly?

Santa Monica (California) dermatologist Dr. Tanya Kormeli thinks not.

A recent American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) study found “only about a third of Americans are reapplying their sunscreen every two hours while outside. Since sunscreen wears off, incorrect usage leaves you unprotected and susceptible to skin cancer.” Kormeli said in an AAD news release.

Be sure to read the sunscreen labels. You should choose sunscreens that are broad-spectrum, water-resistant and have an SPF of 30 or higher.

Second, most people apply only one-quarter to one-half of the recommended amount of sunscreen. To fully cover their body, most adults need about 1 ounce of sunscreens, or enough to fill a shot glass. Apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin that isn’t covered by clothing. Apply it 15 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every two hours while outdoors or after swimming or sweating.

Only 20% of Americans apply sunscreen on cloudy days, but the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays go through clouds. Apply sunscreen every time you go outside, even under clouds.

Another mistake is using old sunscreen products. Sunscreens are required to retain their original strength for at least three years. Throw out your sunscreen if its expired or you are unsure how long you have had it. Always write the date you bought any product on the bottle with a dark marker pen.

Sunscreen does save lives! Skin cancer isn’t nice and left untreated they can become deadly.

Always look for two ingredients only. That being titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These are mineral ingredients and considered to be the safest ingredients. They reflect sunlight from the skin, rather than absorbing it like chemical sunscreens.

Dr. Kormeli said, however, that no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s UV rays. So even when you use sunscreen, it’s also important to seek shade and wear protective clothing, including a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection. If wearing shorts use sunscreen on your legs as well and feet if wearing sandals.

An interesting side effect was written in the current issue of Prevention magazine. Women who applied only a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to their faces each morning for one year and no other anti-ager products, showed improvement of 40% to 52% in skin texture, pigmentation, and clarity and 25% in crow’s feet, a Johnson and Johnson study found.

Prevention magazine also wrote that the percentage by which UV levels increase for every 1,000 feet you ascent in an airplane. So apply broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen before you fly, advises Anti-Aging Hacks by Karen Asp.