Cosmetic Bootcamp says sunscreen benefits outweigh the risks
Added support for PCPC’s condemnation of EWG claims
Statements advising people not to use sunscreens are “irresponsible and are likely to result in premature skin ageing and increased rates of skin cancers,” says Kenneth Beer, a director of the Cosmetic Bootcamp, a US organisation that provides ongoing training and education to doctors and their staff in the areas of dermatology, ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and plastic surgery.
At a recent Cosmetic Bootcamp meeting a panel of dermatologists discussed statements made by the Washington-based activist Environmental Working Group (EWG), concluding that the benefits of sun protection products clearly outweigh the alleged risks.
This supports earlier condemnation of EWG’s claims by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) which said: “EWG’s report lacks scientific credibility and represents a disservice to those working to decrease the incidents of skin cancer and other damage caused by the sun. Consumers can be confident that the sunscreen products they rely on for protection against the harmful effects of the sun are both safe and effective.
“Ignoring the established scientific and regulatory safety assessment process for sunscreen products and ingredients, EWG invents its own sunscreen product rating system based on very questionable scientific methodology. EWG’s methodology for calculating SPF values has been proven to be inaccurate and unreliable by sunscreen experts around the world.”
PCPC also points out that the sunscreen products endorsed by EWG can be purchased on the group’s site via manufacturers’ links and that the purchase will support EWG, “which demonstrates a vested commercial interest”.