Banana Boat ~ Pediatrician tested, fragrance free, ultra gentle formulas that are tear free. Just don't worry if you genes mutate or your hormones are interfered with!

With all the hype over not going out into the sun without sunscreen, preventing sun damage and skin cancer and reducing the signs of aging, I was always careful to apply a good quality sunscreen and protective clothing.  I did so for my daughter as well.  While out grocery shopping I browsed the isles for a good sunscreen and a reliable name.  Banana Boat has been a leading company for many years in the sunscreen market.  So I picked up the sunscreen specifically for babies, which was Pediatrician Tested, and had a the stamp of the Canadian Dermatology Association on it.  Never would I have guessed that it was soo terribly toxic.  I was beginning to wonder which would be worse; wearing the sunscreen or, going with out sunscreen and just wearing longer shirts and a hat, and finding shade to protect my little one. Out of the 27 ingredients listed, 20 are considered to be highly toxic and are on David Suzuki's list of the dirty dozen chemicals to avoid.  I was really disappointed.  Banana Boat has come out with another sunscreen claiming it is made from 100% all natural ingredients.  I will tackle that one in my next blog.  In the meantime I will leave a couple of links to more natural and less harmful sunscreens for anyone who is interested.



 Banana Boat Tear Free Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60

 Ingredients:

Medicinal:

Homosalate
Octinoxate
Octisalate 
Titanium Dioxide 

Non-Medicinal: 
Aqua 
Isohexadecane 
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone 
Dibutyl Adipate
C30-38 Olefin/Isopropyl Meleate/MA Copolymer 
Glycerin 
PEG-8 
Sodium Citrate 
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice 
Tocopheryl Acetate 
Retinyl Palmitate 
Sodium Ascorbyl Phospate
Sodium Chloride 
Alumina 
Dimethicone 
Silica 
Phenoxyethanol 
Methylparaben 
Butylparaben 
Ethylparaben 
Propylparaben 
Isobutylparaben 
Disodium EDTA

Description:

Medicincal:

Homosalate:  is a synthetic sunscreen.  It is a used as an ultraviolet light absorber.  It is considered to be a hormone disrupter, it is also considered to be an environmental toxin.  There are also concerns over contamination with other toxins such as saliylic acid and trimehtylcyclohexanol.  On top of that it is said to enhance skin absorption for other chemicals.

Octinoxate: this ingredient is widely used in most sunscreens on the market.  It is also a sunscreen agent.  It is an endocrine (hormone) disrupter, it also blocks brain signaling.  It is a genotoxin, an environmental toxin, ecotoxin, a non-reproductive organ toxin, and enhances skin absorption.

Octisalate:  this ingredient is also a sunscreen agent.  Although it appears to be a bit more gentle or less toxic than the others mentioned.  Although as I say that it is still considered to be a known immunotoxin or allergen, an environmental toxin, and enhances skin absorption

Titanium dioxide: is derived from titanium and oxygen.  It is used to impart whiteness in personal care products and absorbs or reflects light which helps to protect the product from deterioration.  It is considered to be a medium health priority, with limited evidence of it being a carcinogen.  Some studies have shown it to be a positive mutagen.

Non-medicinal:

Water:  H2O, the stuff we drink. Isohexadecane: is a high purity iso-paraffin, in other words it is a branched chain hydrocarbon with 16 carbons.  It is used as a skin conditioning agent.  It is considered to be a non-reproductive organ system toxin, as well as an environmental toxin. Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone:  this ingredient is a combination of a few different chemicals.  it is a silicon based polymer with PEG and PPG.  It is used as a skin conditioning agent.  It is thought to be a non-reproductive organ toxin.  There is also concerns over contamination with other known toxins such as  ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.  You can read more about it at this link. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701277/CETYL_PEG%3B%3B_PPG-10%3B%3B_1_DIMETHICONE/# http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/?gclid=CNismbS96LQCFQJx4Aod6AsAew Dibutyl Adipate: is derived from butyl alcohol and adipic acid.  It is used as a skin conditioning agent.  It appears to be of low toxicity to humans and to the environment. C30-38 Olefin/Isopropyl Meleate/MA Copolymer:  is a copolymer of a few different chemicals.  It is used as a viscosity controlling agent and an emulsifying agent.  It appears to be of low toxicity, although that could be in part to the lack on research.  I had a really hard time finding any information on this ingredient,  I am hoping with time and awareness that more information will be available. Glycerin: is pretty benign and of low toxicity.  It is used in products mainly because it is effective at improving the smoothness of the product and is a good lubricant.  Glycerin is a byproduct of bio-diesel.  However, all you vegans take note.  This form is very expensive, therefore it is more often derived from animal fats such as beef and vegetable oils such as coconut or soy beans.  Therefore some products that list glycerin in their ingredients may not be vegan. PEG-8:  like all PEG's is a polyethylene glycol.  It is used as a humectant and a solvent.  There is concerns over this ingredient being contaminated with other toxins such as 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide.  It is also considered to be a non-reproductive organ system toxin.   http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/?gclid=CNismbS96LQCFQJx4Aod6AsAew Sodium Citrate: it is the sodium salts of citric acid.  It is used as a emulsifier and is often used as a chelating and pH balancing agent.  It is not considered to be toxic to humans or to the environment. Aloe Barbandensis Leaf Juice: Also known as Aloe vera.  It is used for it's rejuvenating and healing/soothing properties.  Can cause diarrhea if too much is ingested.  Photoxicity and erythema have been reported through topical application.  Though that could be linked to an allergic reaction, the information surrounding this information is very limited.  Overall, aloe appears to be of low toxicity, low environmental toxicity and not carcinogenic. Tocopheryl Acetate: is also known as vitamin E acetate.  It is used in skin care as an antioxidant, and a skin conditioning agent.  According to some studies, it has shown to be mutagenic, a broad systemic toxin, as well has human skin toxin. Retinyl palmitate: is used in cosmetics as a skin conditioning agent.  It is a known human reproductive toxin, carcinogen, mutagen and broad spectrum toxin.  I am going to add a link to the environmental working group for those that have heard the ongoing debate about retinyl palmitate and want to look into information further. Sodium asorbyl phosphate: is a new product and is a derivative of vitamin C.  It is a strong antioxidant  and is used to treat acne, stimulate collagen and whiten skin.  Though it is considered to be a mild skin irritant, it is not mutagenic, a carcinogen or considered to be an environmental toxin. Sodium Chloride: is your everyday salt.  It is not considered to be toxic and is used as a cleansing agent as well as a thickener. Alumina: is aluminium oxide.  it is used as an anti-caking, bulking, and viscosity controlling agent.  It is considered to be a non-reproductive organ system toxin, an environmental toxin (persistent  and bioaccumulative) and it also enhances skin absorption.  This makes it possible for other toxins to enter the skin barrier. Dimethicone: also known as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which is a silicone oil.  It is used in shampoos to lubricate hair and make it easier to comb and adds shine.  In creams it acts as a skin protectant and an emulsifier.  The FDA has deemed it safe to use.  However most people have heard of the horror stories with silicone breast implants leading companies to switch to saline filled implants.  Other side effects linked to PDMS include allergic reactions from mild to severe as well as a worsening in dryness.  Although the data is limited, it appears to also cause non-reproductive toxicity as well as links to environmental toxicity due to the toxins being bioaccummulative.  This means it builds up and builds up in our soils and sediments. Silica:  is a chemical compound that is an oxide of silicon and is most commonly found in sand.  It is used as an absorbing agent.  There is some controversy surrounding this ingredient.  It is rated as benign either of high or low toxicity, depending on the usage of it.  It is considered to be a workplace hazard, if inhaled this ingredient can cause severe respiratory issues and cancer.  It has also been linked to non reproductive organ toxicity and is considered to be an environmental toxin. Phenoxyethanol: Is a fairly new ingredient, it is a glycol either and is used as a bactericide.  It is generally considered safer then the traditional formaldehyde releasing agents, however the FDA has stated that it can depress the central nervous system which could cause vomiting, diarrhea and can cause dehydration in infants.  There have been concerns of this product being carcinogenic due to the ingredients it is derived from. Methylparaben: is found in such foods as blueberries.  It acts as an antimicrobial agent.  In cosmetics it is used as an anti-fungal agent.  Parabens have had much controversy surrounding them in recent years, and for good reason.  There is strong evidence of methylparaben being a human skin toxicant, human endocrine disruptor, mutagenic, and a broad systemic toxin.  A good reason to stay away from parabens. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/?gclid=CNismbS96LQCFQJx4Aod6AsAew Butylparaben:  like all of the parabens, this one is equally as nasty.  It is used as a preservative and a fragrance ingredient.  It is a known endocrine (hormone) disrupter, it is a genotoxin (causing changes in cells or mutations), it is also a developmental and reproductive toxin, and a known allergen. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/?gclid=CNismbS96LQCFQJx4Aod6AsAew Ethylparaben: is again used as a preservative and is part of the parabens family.  It also mimics estrogen.  It like the other parabens, is classified as an endocrine disrupter, a broad systemic toxin, a mutagen, and a developmental and reproductive toxin.  It is also listed as capable of causing contact hives by immunological pathogenetic mechanism. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/?gclid=CNismbS96LQCFQJx4Aod6AsAew Propylparaben:  Like the other parabens this one is also used as a preservative.  It also mimics estrogen.  It is classified as an endocrine disrupter, a broad systemic toxin, a mutagen, and a developmental and reproductive toxin.  Yikes! http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/?gclid=CNismbS96LQCFQJx4Aod6AsAew Isobutylparaben:  Another paraben.  Like all other parabens, this one should be avoided as well.  It is used as a preservative.  It is a  known endocrine (hormone) disrupter, it is a genotoxin (causing changes in cells or mutations), it is also a developmental and reproductive toxin, and a known allergen. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/?gclid=CNismbS96LQCFQJx4Aod6AsAew Disodium EDTA: is a polyamino carboxylic acid. In cosmetics it is used to improve stability towards air. However, it has come under fire of late for being a known persistent organic pollutant.  As well, it is considered to be both a genotoxin and a cytotoxin.  It has also been known to cause developmental and reproductive effects.