A study found that 92% of sunscreen products did not provide adequate sun protection and many contained potentially hazardous ingredients. Products with high SPF ratings can give users a false sense of security and cause them to stay in the sun longer without reapplying. Some key issues are sunscreens containing retinyl palmitate which may accelerate skin damage and oxybenzone which is a hormone disruptor. The FDA recommends choosing mineral sunscreens with SPF 15-50+, avoiding high SPF ratings, applying enough early and reapplying often, using protective clothing and sunglasses, and staying in the shade when possible. Xcel is supporting skin cancer prevention programs through sales of rash guards and UV protective clothing.

1. A ranking of more than 500 sunscreen products found that
92 percent did not provide satisfactory sun protection in
terms of safety and efficacy. The study, conducted by
Environmental working Group (EWG), a Washington-based
nonprofit organisation, points the finger at a surge in
exaggerated SPF claims above 50 and new disclosures
about potentially hazardous ingredients.

2. Products with high SPF rating give a false sense of security
resulting in users staying out in the sun longer with a
single application and get burned when the products'
chemicals break down, wash off or rub off on clothes and
towels. The result is that they absorb more UVA radiation
and they get the same number of sunburns as unprotected
sunbathers.

3. As early as 2007, the FDA published draft regulations that
would disallow companies from labeling sunscreens with a
rating over SPF 50+. The agency feels that anything higher
than SPF 50+ would be "inherently
misleading" given that "there is no assurance
that the specific values themselves are in fact
truthful..."

4. The second key issue with sunscreens these days is two
products found in many sunscreens.

5. The FDA has been investigating a form of vitamin A called
retinyl palmitate, found in 41 percent of sunscreens as it is
suspected to accelerate skin damage and elevate skin
cancer risk when applied to skin exposed to sunlight.

6. The other is oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting compound
found in about 60 percent of the 500 sunscreens analysed.
The product enters the bloodstream through the skin
barrier. Biomonitoring surveys have detected oxybenzone
in the bodies of 97 percent of Americans tested.

7. So what is recommended in order to stay safe in the sun?
Some of these recommendations include selecting and
using sunscreen well, as well as other options for sun
protection available.

8. 1. Look for minerals zinc or titanium dioxide in the
sunscreen

9. 2. Avoid high SPF.Stay with SPF 15-50+ as suitable for your
own skin type. Use SPF 30+ for beach and pool and
reapply often

10. 3. Water-resistant for beach, pool and exercise

11. 4. Apply early. Martin A. Weinstock, professor of
dermatology at Brown University recommends the
application of sunscreen half an hour before heading
outdoors and reapplying every few hours.

12. 5. Apply in sufficient amounts. Studies show that people
apply on average just a quarter of the required amount.
Sunscreen efficacy drops rapidly on under-application so it
is recommended to observe the instructions on the
packaging.

13. 6. Reapply often. Sunscreen chemicals break apart in the
sun, wash off and rub off on towels and clothing.

14. 7. Use clothing and hats. One study found that melanoma
risk was cut by 52 percent for parts of the body usually
covered by clothing during summer outdoor work
(Holman et al 1986). EWG believe shirts and hats are the
best sunscreen for all. Use UPF50+ rated swimwear and
shirts and hats effectively

15. Xcel is stepping up. A part of revenues for each Xcel Rash
Guard, Xcel Ventx, or UV Performance Gear bought in the
U.S. helps the Xcel Skin Cancer Prevention
Fund, supporting skin cancer youth understanding
programs, awareness, and investigation.

16. Most people who have never enjoyed rash guards would
choose to think that they are purely created for water
related kayaking as it has traditionally been classified as
an advanced athletic swimming wear. The primary
function upon donning it revolves solely on the protection
of one's skin against the sunlight. It is especially important
to outfit our children (they are so precious) in kids
rashguards, and babies rash guards also!

17. The slickest thing I have witnessed as new technologies is
the Bali Hooded Rash Guard.

18. As the name connotes, rash guards are called that way
merely because they are to be utilized to avoid the
manifestations of skin rashes. The rashes that rash guards
counter are the varieties that are oftentimes caused by
the contact of the surfer's skin on the surfboard wax
which often is associated with with a extensive amount of
abradant sand from the beachfront. There usually are
situations in which a skin rash can occur from the bare
crash of saltwater waves against the skin with a
considerable amount of abrasive force.

19. 8. Make shade by putting up an umbrella, locate a picnic
spot under the tree, take a canopy to the beach. Infants
are best kept in the shade as they lack tanning pigments
(melanin) to protect their skin

20. 9. Plan around the shade. Unless you really need to,
schedule your outdoor visits to avoid the mid-day sun. UV
radiation peaks at midday, when the sun is directly
overhead.

21. 10. Sunglasses are essential. These are not just a fashion
accessory but are necessary to keep your eyes from the
UV radiation, a cause of cataracts.

22. http://www.k2snorkel.com/all_products.php?category=3
&sub_cat=22/