SPF = Sun Protection Factor.  Or SPF = Your Sunscreen Probably Flunked. That’s right.  Even though physicians have been preaching for years the importance of wearing sunscreen, one bunch of treehuggers now claims otherwise.

Two years ago, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) challenged the safety and efficacy of sunscreens, claiming that the chemicals used in it can cause or accelerate cancer.  In fact, they claim that 80-some percent of sunscreens flunked–claiming that they are not safe and/or effective   That’s worrisome.

So let’s face the facts:

* EWG’s studies were done only on laboratory mice, and mice are much more susceptible to cancer than people.

* One of the ingredients that they claim is responsible is retinyl palmitate, which is a form of Vitamin A–which in fact is used in the treatment of cancer.

* the EWG generally prefers titanium dioxide and zinc oxide–two physical sunblocks.  On that particular point, dermatologists generally agree that physical sunblocks (which block the sun’s rays) are preferable to chemical ones (which absorb the skin’s rays).  So we agree.   But what should you do about it?

Remember the column that was first published in the Chicago Tribune, with advice for new grads?

“Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.”

Sunscreen is still your best protection again skin cancer and skin aging.  Just reapply it frequently, use a minimum of SPF30 and  use it every day.