| Each day of summer camp, my parents would slather me with a green goo called Bullfrog. This gelatinous sunscreen, its texture reminiscent of a blended amphibian, kept me from being scorched by the Florida sun. Unfortunately, like almost all sunscreens of the era, it probably contained a panoply of chemicals we're now seeing as potentially hazardous to our health and environment. New findings have prompted scientists to take a closer look at what else those chemicals do. Active ingredients in sunscreen, such as oxybenzone, may interfere with the body's endocrine system and even reduce fertility. For now, researchers at the Food and Drug Administration say, no evidence exists that these chemicals pose imminent health risks to people. "There isn't enough data to suggest whether [these chemicals] are truly harmful or not," says Teo Soleymani, an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and a director of dermatologic surgery at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center. "But there is enough smoldering science that's coming out suggesting that chemical sunscreens may not be completely harmless, especially when applied in large amounts over time." With so many sunscreen ingredients under investigation, what's a sun lover to do? An easy solution: Stop using them. Chemical sunscreens once might have outperformed their mineral counterparts, but that's no longer the case. Sunscreens have come a long way in cost, effectiveness and aesthetics. What's good for the coral reef, it turns out, is good for you. What makes the sun dangerous There's no debate that UV-blocking chemicals in sunscreen prevent sunburns, which can be a major factor in deadly skin cancers such as melanoma. Intense sun exposure, especially for those with fair skin, is unambiguously damaging. Ultraviolet light known as UVA and UVB penetrates deep into the skin, damaging critical enzymes and tissues, leading to premature aging and skin cancer. One blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the risk of getting melanoma, especially for those with genetic risk factors. Why we still need sunlight on our skin A growing body of scientific literature suggests we don't get enough time outdoors in the sun. We just need to enjoy the sun safely. The risk is more about sunburns, not sunshine. Moderate sun exposure is thought to deliver profound benefits, from enhanced mood to lower rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer. How sunscreen works There are two kinds of sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens, typically containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, create a thin layer atop the skin. These particles physically block and scatter the sun's rays, preventing ultraviolet light from being absorbed by the skin. Chemical sunscreens use compounds that filter these rays before they damage the skin. How to pick a safe sunscreen The nonprofit Environmental Working Group says mineral sunscreen delivers better protection than most chemical formulations on the market, with the lowest risk to your health and the reef. Those put off by the chalky texture or white cast of previous mineral sunscreens can now find formulations that avoid these issues. For those who still prefer a chemical sunscreen, one with 3 percent avobenzone for broad-spectrum protection is suggested. EWG has put together a comprehensive ranking of sunscreens that meet the group's criteria for effectiveness and safety in adults and children. You can browse the top-rated recreation products, as well as formulas for babies and children that meet the criteria. And the products don't have to be expensive. Here are 12 sunscreens that cost $20 or less, with low potential health hazards. To read the full column at The Post, click here. | 
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