Comments on: Cancer from Vitamin A in Your Sunscreen?

By: anonymous

anonymous — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:57:46 +0000

Me and my sister have been using the same cream (not an spf cream) containing the ingrediant Retinyl Palmitate for about 10 years. My other sister has used a cream that doesn’t contain the ingrediant for about the same number of years. Myself and the sister who has been using the cream containing Retinyl Palmitate now have hyperpigmentation around our lower eye/cheek area. The sister that’s used the cream without the Retinyl Palmitate has no hyperpigmentation whatsoever on her face. All three of us have worn sunscreen religiously for years. I checked, and the sunscreen all three of us have used doesn’t contain Retinyl Palmitate. Perhaps this points to the connection between the hyperpigmentation that my sister and I have as a result of the Retinyl Palmitate in our face lotion. Since my sister and I have stopped using the Retinyl Palmitate lotion, and started using one without this ingrediant (plus suncreen without the ingrediant), our hyperpigmentation has gone down substantially. I don’t know about you, but me and my sister are definately avoiding ANYTHING containing Retinyl Palmitate.

By: James

James — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:00:59 +0000

Paula,

Thanks again for a great article.

While I generally agree with your assessment, I would like to point out that one of the groups you site, the Personal Care Products Council, is a cosmetics industry group that does a lot of lobbying to influence industry regulation on Capitol Hill. If EWG has a conflict of interest, then certainly PCPC does as well. The head of PCPC may have been an FDA scientist in the past but he is employed and paid by the industry now.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:45:12 +0000

@ Rocky: let me assure you that if the research ever proved without a doubt that any of the sunscreen ingredients in Paula’s Choice products caused a serious health problem then they would be pulled immediately. You’re free to question our bias but please don’t come down on Paula or Paula’s Choice for doing our homework and standing up for what we know to be true. Unlike most cosmetic companies, we’re straightforward and rely on facts to support our claims, not to mention they’re backed by published research.

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:35:23 +0000

Hi Paula
I have not missed any of your shows. They are very informative. I love your products. I,like many, took advantage of your anniversery prices last week. I have a few question. Two years Ago I was swimming alot. I used Ocean Potion SPF 50. I would STILL tan. I tan no matter what I used. Even the bottom of my feet (arch) gets dark. I once had a strips on my feet for more than a year from wearing sandals (once!) without sunscreen. My face took the biggest hit. To me I looked older. I would like to start swimming again. What routine would you suggest? I would apply sunscreen. Drive to the pool (20min). Had to rise before going into the pool. Swimm for 45min, then shower.I really would like to start swimming again. Also, my hair became dry and brittle. Any suggestions? Lastly, can you turn up Byron’s Mic up? When I listen to your show, I have to adjust the volume constantly. Anybody else have that problem?

By: Rocky Fisher

Rocky Fisher — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:41:26 +0000

Now I see why you wrote this ignorant and biased article; you sell the products that contain this ingredient and don’t want to lose sales!

Obvious! I mean, it would hurt your personal care product sales if this information is true, right? Who has the bias?

If someone takes your advice that sunscreen is a-okay, “nothing to see here, folks”, and you are wrong, and that someone gets cancer, how would you feel?

What if YOU are wrong, Paula? The consequences are grave if you are wrong. Perhaps a bit more caution would be wise.

By: Diana LB

Diana LB — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:28:35 +0000

Hi Paula and Bryan,

Thank you very much for this article. I think a lot of people are quick to believe reports that appear to come from reputable sources without thinking about the methods behind the research and whether or not they are valid. Along with your article, I also found this article very helpful to help examine the issues and controversies involved: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=5541

I really appreciate your skin care and cosmetic information and that it is evidence based.

Thanks,

Diana

By: Rainman

Rainman — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 06:25:09 +0000

The EWG is a federally registered non-profit entitiy. Paula, unfortunately you sell sunscreens and you are the one with the conflict of interest to promote further sunscreen sales.

In fact, it is clear that you have not read any of the FDA’s monographs regarding the sunscreen testing standards nor do you realize that they are not as rigorous as you might think. You should read them before going so hard at the EWG. They promote products that they deem safe and so they will necessarily advertise those that they think are the safest. They comments about the FDA are well know and I’m frankly surprised that you are not aware of the hotly debated issue regarding the FDA’s testing standards of sunscreens and the absurdly elevated SPF values in use today. Please get your facts straight when writing such a strong OPINION piece.

By: Cancer from Vitamin A in Your Sunscreen? « CoValence Laboratories: Private Label and Custom Skincare / Personal Care Manufacturer

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:47:43 +0000

[...] Bryan Barron and Paula Begoun recently fired back at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for its unsubstantiated claims that Vitamin A in sunscreens can cause cancer. Take a look at what was said and know your facts – about all ingredients! http://www.beautybunch.com/2010/05/26/cancer-from-vitamin-a-in-your-sunscreen/ [...]

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:18:38 +0000

@Dene: Thanks for the show of support! Sounds like you’re fired up for all the right reasons!

By: Dene Godfrey

Dene Godfrey — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:27:13 +0000

Paula,

I don’t always agree with all that you write, but this summary of the machinations of the EWG is perfect. The sooner most people realise that this group is responsible for more disinformation than, possibly, any other lobbying organisation, the better! While I am writing, I will make a comment about their Skin Deep database, which is totally valueless in terms of really showing the safety of cosmetic products. They are a dangerous organisation in many ways, because of their continual, mischievous twisting of science to scare and baffle the consumer. They need to be exposed for exactly what they are!