Sunscreen Safety
Here is some information you can use to make smarter choices about which sunscreens you put on your body:
Oxybenzone is an active ingredient found in 70% of chemical sunscreens and is known to contribute to skin allergies and hormone disruption. Additionally, oxybenzone leaches nutrients and bleaches coral reefs, negatively impacting fish and other wildlife. You can read more specifics on active ingredient toxicity in sunscreens.
Spray sunscreens pose a huge inhalation risk. Their ingredients, which can include the carcinogenic chemical benzene, are not meant to be inhaled into the lungs.
Retinyl palmitate is a form of Vitamin A that is often added to sunscreens to help with aging. However, it may speed the growth of skin tumors when applied to skin in the presence of sunlight.
Ultra-high SPF sunscreens (SPF 90) can give a false sense of security and lead you to stay in the sun longer than you should. It is important to keep reapplying your sunscreen every couple of hours, and even more often if you’ll be spending the day swimming.
Zinc Oxide And Titanium Dioxide are the only two ingredients that have been FDA approved and do not penetrate the skin. Say yes to these mineral based sunscreens.
Opt for broad-spectrum sunscreens because they block both UVA and UVB rays.
You can read more about sunscreen safety with the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Sunscreens.
The content provided is for informational purposes only and does not intend to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.