Summer is here, and the sudden upswing of sunscreen and sunblock sales is an indicator of the increased number of people rushing to the beaches. But in a recent study released last month by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit public health advocacy group, only 8 percent of 700 sunscreen products it evaluated were recommended for effectiveness and safety.

That’s right, only 8 out of 500 sunscreen products were deemed safe for this society of sun worshipers … while 492 sunscreen products merely provide a false sense of security of how much protection people are actually getting as they stay out in the sun a lot longer!

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released the first-ever, in-depth analysis of the safety and effectiveness of more than 700 name-brand sunscreens. The new database (located here) lists products that offer the best combination of safety and effectiveness: they are formulated with the safest chemicals, are most effective at protecting against sunburn, and help prevent long-term damage caused by the sun’s UVA rays, which are linked to skin aging, wrinkling and, potentially, cancer. EWG’s sunscreen database is dynamic, which means that the sunscreen ranking numbers may change based on evolving science, new information on UVA, UVB radiation and sunscreen ingredients, market conditions, or other factors.

[ QUICK VIEW: The list of sunscreen by the EWG sorted by BEST OVERALL effectiveness and health score HERE. ]

The EWG analysis found that 84 percent of sunscreen products with an SPF rating of 15 or higher offered inadequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays, or contain ingredients with safety concerns. Some popular sunscreen chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight and must be formulated with stabilizing chemicals, while others penetrate the skin and present significant health concerns.

The EWG’s list of top-rated sunscreens all contain the minerals zinc or titanium. They are the right choice for people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor. None of the products contain oxybenzone or vitamin A and none are sprayed or powdered.

Our Surfer’s Sunscreen Tips:

• Buy a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• Apply sunscreen to exposed skin on a daily basis, even when it’s a cloudy day or when you plan to stay mostly indoors.
• Avoid the sun during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. When outside, wear a hat, sunglasses and sun-protective clothing.
• Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, so the product can adhere and absorb into your skin. And use plenty — at least one ounce, about a shot-glass full.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming, drying off or sweating a lot.