Are sunblocks and sunscreens safe?

As I sit down to write about the potentially hazardous chemicals in the conventional, mainstream brands of sunblock and sunscreen, I notice Wikipedia has done a pretty nice job collecting together information about the potential risks of some ingredients.  Surprisingly, there is even concern that absorbing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, found in  the "natural sunblock" is not ideal if it penetrates into "viable" cells.  According to the collection of information on wikipedia, evidence suggests that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide stay on the surface, but this does not necessarily make me feel comfortable.  You can see the wikipedia entry to which I refer at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen.  However there is not that much information there about the harmful chemicals found in the conventional brands.   Oxybenzone seems to be one ingredient in commercial sunblocks that many say is potentially dangerous and a good idea to avoid.   This article tells a bit more detail on the oxybenzone concerns..http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/sunscreen-report/index.html

Now my favorite natural sunblock contains zinc oxide, which until today, seemed like the best option,  in the most natural base I have yet to find for a sunblock product.  You can check out the ingredients at http://www.badgerbalm.com/p-371-spf-18-lightly-scented-sunscreen.aspx and it is Badger SPF 18 Lightly Scented Sunscreen.  The only ingredient that I find less than ideal, for those of us who abstain from animal products, is the beeswax.   And so I continue to seek a sunscreen that is equally pure minus the beeswax....A really close second, based on ingredients, by the same brand, is Badger's SPF16 Sunscreen Lotion Aloe Vera.  There is no beeswax (and a shout of glee goes up from the vegans among us, including me...).  I just actually noticed this sun screen recently.  The only less than ideal ingredient in the base is  carageenan, which some people avoid.... Check out wikipedia's explanation on that... I love wikipedia... I admit it.... and they give references at the bottom too so you know where the info is coming from, without having to read 100 articles...... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrageenan.  

Well, in a nutshell, too  much sun exposure can be harmful, but so too can use of sunblock.  Some sun exposure can provide us vitamin D (sunblocks and screens block most of the utraviolet rays' absorption that is needed for our  bodies to synthesize vitamin D).  A 10 - 15 minute walk between 10 am and 3 pm can help our bodies replete the vitamin D supply,  Otherwise, avoiding sun at peak times of day and opting to go out when the rays are less strong (before 10 am or after 3 pm) seems wise.  When you do need to be out for a length of time during the height of the sun's strength, seek the most natural sun block for your safety.  And  I will continue my search for the perfect sunblock.....