The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

What consumers need to know about sunscreen as more ‘fun in the sun’ days approach

The vast majority of sunscreens available to the consumer aren’t as good as most people think they are, but a handful of products rise above the rest.

Those are the findings of the Environmental Working Group, which recently released its 7th annual Sunscreen Guide that rates the safety and effectiveness of more than 1,400 sunscreens, lotions, lip products, and makeups that advertise sun protection.

The EWG researchers found that only 25 percent of products on the market in 2013 offer strong and broad UV protection and pose few safety concerns.

Protection from clothing and shade

“The best advice for concerned consumers is to use sun-protective clothing, stay in the shade to reduce intense sun exposure, and schedule regular skin examinations by a doctor,” said Sonya Lunder, senior research analyst at the EWG.

Lunder said consumers should use the EWG’s guide to find the best sunscreens for skin that isn’t protected by clothing.

“Despite an increasing awareness of the sun’s risks, rates of melanoma – the deadliest skin cancer – have tripled over the past 35 years, with an annual increase of 1.9 percent per year since 2000,” she said.

Sunscreen protection weak

Part of the reason for the increase may be the decades of deceptive marketing claims by sunscreen manufacturers, EWG researchers said. 

The EWG believes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration should require companies to stop selling high-SPF sunscreens – above 50+ – which account for one in seven products on the market. As a result of misleading and confusing marketing claims, consumers frequently misuse sunscreens and spend more time in the sun than they should, putting themselves at greater risk, according to the EWG.

In addition, until recently, sunscreens provided little protection from the sun’s ultraviolet A rays. Sunburns are caused mostly by short but intense ultraviolet B rays. Longer UVA rays, which penetrate the body more deeply, inflict more damage and may contribute to or cause cancer. 

The FDA’s current definition of “broad-spectrum” still results in inadequate UVA protection, according to the EWG.

In 2011, the FDA issued long-awaited sunscreen labeling standards promised since 1978. Under the new rules, companies are now prohibited from making misleading advertising claims such as “sunblock,” “waterproof,” and “sweat-proof.” The FDA also set the first-ever standards for sunscreens that claim to provide broad-spectrum protection.

However, the agency now allows most sunscreens on the American market to make claims that they help lower the risk of skin cancer and sun-related skin aging.

The FDA still hasn’t issued final rules on excessively high SPF claims, potentially harmful chemical ingredients, and sunscreen sprays that may be dangerous when inhaled.

The EWG’s analysis of 750 beach and sport sunscreens found that the new FDA rules haven’t led to dramatically better sunscreens than those offered in previous years.

Standards stronger in Europe

While nearly every sunscreen on the market meets the new FDA rule for broad-spectrum protection, that standard is so weak that half of the sunscreens on the American market couldn’t be sold Europe, where the safety and effectiveness rules are more stringent.

European sunscreen makers voluntarily comply with European Union recommendations that a product’s UVA protection and SPF be coordinated so that the UVA protection is at least one-third as strong as the SPF.

EWG’s top four things not to bring to the beach or pool or on vacation

• No sprays. While easy to apply, these popular spray sunscreens may pose serious inhalation risks and may not fully cover skin. About one in four sunscreens in EWG’s database is a spray.

• No super-high SPFs, above 50+. Products with high SPF values provide little additional skin protection and may contribute to consumer misperception and misuse. About one in seven sunscreens has an SPF value greater than 50+.

• No vitamin A or retinyl palmitate. Vitamin A is touted for its anti-aging effects on skin. But retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A added to almost one in four SPF-rated sunscreens, makeups, and moisturizers, could speed development of tumors and lesions on sun-exposed skin, according to a government study.

• No oxybenzone. Commonly used in sunscreens, oxybenzone penetrates the skin, gets into the bloodstream, and acts like estrogen in the body. It can trigger allergic reactions. Data are preliminary, but studies have found links between oxybenzone and health problems. Nearly half of all beach and sport sunscreens in EWG’s 2013 guide contain oxybenzone.

I hope your days in the sun are safe as well as fun.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Consumers responsible for the deaths in Bangladesh clothing factories? No, no, no

Photo: Sharat Chowdhury

I was outraged yesterday when I heard twice on the news that consumers are responsible for the 350 deaths that occurred this week when a building in Bangladesh collapsed where five clothing manufacturing factories were located.

The comments, one made by a representative of the clothing industry in an National Public Radio story, said consumers are responsible because they want to buy cheap clothes and the only way that clothing manufacturers can do this is keep cutting and cutting the costs of production.

I don’t think so. Clothing manufacturers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace for workers. One news report I heard said cracks started appearing in the walls, but workers were told nothing was wrong and they should keep working in the building.

Six people, two of the factory owners and four others, have been arrested, according to a Huffington Post article. Others are being sought in the tragedy.

 I think the American companies that contact with these factories overseas, and consumers, too, need to pay more attention the safety conditions for workers in overseas factories.

However, for the clothing industry to try to “get ahead of the story” by blaming the deaths on consumers is ridiculous.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Consumers look to keep costs down for Easter purchases this year

Americans will celebrate Easter in style and on budget this year, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation.

Keeping cost and their shopping list in mind, the average person celebrating Easter will spend about $145.13 on candy, decor, apparel, and food, which is almost the same as last year’s $145.28. Total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion.

The survey found much of consumers’ budgets will go towards food for a family brunch or dinner: 86.9 percent of those celebrating Easter will spend an average of $45.26 on items needed for their holiday meal.

Nearly half will purchase clothing this Easter, spending an average of $25.91 on new outfits for their children and something new for themselves.

And, nine in 10 will stock up on Easter candy, spending an average of $20.66 on jellybeans, chocolate, and other candy. In addition, consumers will spend an average of $20.82 on gifts, $9.49 on flowers, and $9.11 on decorations.

The survey also found that many people will use their smartphones and tablets to shop for Easter items.

Four in 10 smartphone owners will use their mobile device to research product information, look up store hours and location, compare prices, and purchase gifts and other items. Specifically, 14.8 percent say they will purchase Easter products with their smartphones.

More than half of tablet owners will use their device to make purchases, research products, and prices and look up retailer information such as store locations and hours. One in five say they will purchase something using their tablet.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: White House | Black Market women’s shoes due to fall hazard

White House | Black Market is recalling 13,500 pairs of high heel shoes.

The heels on the shoes can become unstable, posing a fall hazard, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Versailles model (570053826) and Lourdes model (570053756) women's high-heeled shoes. The shoes have four-inch heels.

The Versailles is cream, black, and brown-colored faux snakeskin. The Lourdes is black-colored faux snakeskin with a white t-strap and trim.

The model name is stamped inside the shoes and on the shoebox. The model number is printed on the shoebox.

Manufactured in China, the recalled shoes were sold only at White House | Black Market stores nationwide or online at whitehouseblackmarket.com from August 2012 through October 2012. The cost was about $120.

Consumers should immediately stop wearing the recalled shoes and return them to a White House | Black Market store to receive a merchandise card for the full purchase price of the shoes, or contact White House | Black Market to receive instructions for returning the shoes by mail, the company and commission advise.

For more information, call White House | Black Market at 877-948-2525 anytime, e-mail customerservice@whitehouseblackmarket.com, or go to www.whitehouseblackmarket.com and click on the Recall tab at the bottom of the page.

For details on other recalls, visit www.recalls.gov.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Getting the coupon price for a gift is my best consumer experience this week, while a letter from my bank with an error disappoints

It brought joy to be able to give a nice present to my great-niece. However, I was furious to get a letter from my bank with a mistake.

My best consumer experience: Getting the coupon price on a gift

When my sister and I went to visit my niece in the Fort Lauderdale area, we went to the mall for a walk before we headed to Bahama Breeze for dinner.

We went in the Justice shop, a store with clothes for kids and teens, which is the favorite brand of my niece’s daughter Savannah. My niece showed us two dresses that Savannah liked that were on sale.

When we finished our walk and went by the shop, I suggested we buy the dresses for Savannah for an early birthday present.

When the sales associate scanned the first dress, she said the dresses weren’t on sale without a coupon. They would be $50, not $30.

We were flabbergasted. We didn’t notice that a coupon was required. My niece had other coupons for Justice, but they weren’t valid until the next day.

We looked at each other and were getting ready to leave when the sales associate rang up the first dress at the sale price. Then the second one.

It turned out well, but we noticed as we were leaving the mall that none of the other retail clothing shops required coupons for their sales.

My worst consumer experience: Getting a letter from my bank with an error

This month, my mortgage is paid off. Hurrah.

However, I was very upset when I got a letter from my bank saying that I had requested my automatic payments be stopped, so I would be getting statements or a payment coupon book for future payments.

What? Doesn’t my bank know that I only have one partial payment left?

When I called on Monday, the person at the Payoff Office said the letter was a form letter that was generated. The bank can’t take a partial payment from my bank account so the letter was sent.

I told the banker that I’d paid thousands and thousands of dollars of interest over the years on the mortgage and I expected a higher level of customer service.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Are there any Valentine’s Day deals out there?

It’s almost Valentine’s Day. If you’re still shopping and want a good price for your sweetheart’s gift, here are some suggestions from dealnews.com:

• Avoid price increases on jewelry by finding a coupon or credit.

• Check department stores for lingerie rather than lingerie-specific stores.

• Don’t expect discounts on high-end chocolates.

• Look for deals on fragrances.

• See if you can find clothing bargains still on sale from January clearances.

See “What to Expect From Valentine’s Day Deals” for more information.

Good luck with your shopping.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Other uses for a salad spinner?

You can put your sweater in a salad spinner to drain out the excess water, then hang it up to dry.

That’s the advice given in a Huffington Post article.

The article caught my attention because I recently bought a salad spinner, an all-plastic $35 model at Target, for an unusual use.

I had a big yard project that got out of hand. When I decided to replace rotting weed fabric in my side yard, I raked the rocks into the dirt and weeds next to the fabric. The rocks got mixed with dirt and bits of weeds, moss, and straw. It was a big mess.

Buying a leaf blower helped. I used chicken wire to separate out the bigger rocks, then blew the dirt off. However, I still had to deal with the smaller rocks – usually sifting them through a piece of plastic screen door material.

Then, as I was working away, the idea of buying a salad spinner to separate rocks from the dirt jumped in my head. The results were pretty good. While the rocks were too heavy to spin, I could put them in the basket and shake it, and almost all of the rocks stayed in the basket. And, when I rubbed them against the basket, all the small dirt clots broke up.

However, when it started raining and the clay-type soil got damp, the salad spinner method didn’t work anymore.

Do you have any unusual uses for a salad spinner? If so, let me know in the Comment section below.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Facts and figures on Halloween 2012

About 170 million people plan to celebrate Halloween this year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.

Seven in 10 Americans will get into the haunting Halloween mood, up from 69 percent last year, and the most in federation’s 10-year survey history.

Consumers also are expected to spend more, too. The average person will spend $80 on decorations, costumes, and candy, up from $72 last year. Total Halloween spending is expected to reach $8.0 billion.

More than one-third of consumers will look for new ideas in a store and nearly one-quarter will consult with friends and family.

Other inspirations: 15 percent will check Facebook for inspiration, 7 percent will review Pinterest photos, and 33 percent will search online.

Of those buying or making costumes, the average person will spend $28 this year, up slightly $26 in 2011.

Of the people celebrating Halloween this year, more than half will decorate their home or yard, up from 49 percent last year, and 45 percent plan to dress in costume, also up from last year’s 44 percent. More than one-third will throw or attend a party and 33 percent will take children trick-or-treating. In addition, 15 percent will dress up their pet. 

Despite record spending figures for this year’s Halloween holiday, one-fourth of U.S. consumers say the economy will impact their Halloween plans. Most say they’ll spend less overall, 84 percent, while others will make a costume instead of buying one, 18 percent, and more than one-third will buy less candy.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Recall of the Week: GE Profile front load washers due to injury hazard

GE Appliances is recalling about 62,000 GE Profile front load washers.

The washer’s basket can separate during use and break the washer’s top panel, posing an injury hazard to consumers, GE and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement.

GE has received 19 reports of washer baskets separating, including 10 reports of top panel breakage. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves GE Profile frontload washing machines with model numbers beginning with WPDH8800, WPDH8900, and WPDH8910. All serial numbers with these models are included in this recall.

The washers were sold in gold, red and, white.

 

The model number is located on the washer’s right side near the bottom and behind the door near the doorframe, which is visible when the door is opened.

Manufactured in China, the washers were sold at Best Buy, Lowe’s, Sears, The Home Depot, and other department and retail stores nationwide from July 2008 to August 2011. The cost was between $1,199 and $1,599.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled washers and contact GE for a free repair, the company and commission advise.

For additional information, contact GE Appliances at 888-641-9739 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.geappliances.com/products/recall.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Top 10 best and worst Father’s Day presents

By Rita R. Robison

AskMen.com offers these suggestions for gifts your dad will appreciate:

1. Landscaping services
2. Sports tickets
3. Meat for grilling
4. Gadgets
5. Books
6. A personalized gift
7. Golf clubs
8. Fishing gear
9. Alcohol
10. Grilling tools

For gifts that your dad probably wouldn’t want to receive, AskMen.com provides this top 10 listing:

1. Artificial bladders
2. Personal hygiene products
3. Gifts you bought for yourself or items you’re re-gifting
4. Car accessories
5. A singing trout
6. Useless gadgets such as a personalized cooling system
7. Potty putter or other items to keep dad in bathroom longer
8. A BBQ apron
9. World’s best dad’s items
10. Novelty clothing such as ridiculous ties, golfer socks, or shorts with cute sayings

If you’re looking for a good price for your Father’s Day gift, see dealnews.com’s “The Right Father’s Day Gifts for Every Dad” and “10 Cool Tools for Father’s Day.”

Have a great Father’s Day.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist