![]() These are microscopically small particles that can be absorbed into the skin and bloodstream. Watch out for sunscreens that have nanoparticles.Some of them also contain nasty chemicals and you really need to read the labels to make sure. Do you remember the old advice that you should apply your sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure? Well, that only applies to chemical sunscreens which need that time to be absorbed into the skin. Mineral sunscreens are effective immediately after application.Some facts you should know about physical (mineral) sunscreens: Titanium dioxide doesn’t provide full-spectrum UV protection. Titanium dioxide: You’ll find this as an additive in some sunscreens.It provides full-spectrum protection from both UVA & UVB rays. Zinc oxide: The main active ingredient in mineral suncreens.Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients: These ingredients simply sit on top of the skin and deflect the sun’s rays.Īccording to the FDA, there’s enough evidence that these sunscreens don’t warrant the same health concerns as chemical sunscreens. Next up we have mineral sunscreens which use titanium dioxide & zinc oxide. ![]() Why Mineral Sunscreens Are Safer & Better. However, this study was performed only on animals and it’s not known if this also applies to humans. A 2012 study suggested that retinyl palmitate when exposed to sun could cause skin cancer. Retinyl Palmitate – A form of vitamin A.Phenoxyethenol – Like sodium benzoate, a preservative that would be best to avoid.Sodium Benzoate – A preservative that is less dangerous than parabens but would ideally be avoided.This umbrella term can cover hundreds of mystery chemicals, some of which can be quite toxic. Fragrance – Beware of anything labeled “fragrance”.If you see an ingredient that ends in “paraben” it should be avoided. Parabens come in a number of forms, but the most common are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. Parabens – Chemical preservatives that have been linked to breast cancer.Unsafe Inactive Ingredients To Avoid In Sunscreens.īesides the 6 toxic active ingredients listed above, there are several other ingredients its best to avoid when looking for a safe and non-toxic sunscreen for your family. Since it’s easy to find sunscreens that don’t have these ingredients, we strongly recommend doing so and will only recommend products that don’t have these toxic chemicals. The FDA says that these results only mean that more studies are needed to determine if this is dangerous or not, and that we should continue to use sunscreens. This means that not only are all of these chemicals finding their way into our bloodstreams after a single application, but the amount of chemical accumulated over time as well. They found that after just the first day, all 6 of these chemicals were detected in the bloodstream at levels over the safe limits as dictated by the FDA. Participants were required to apply the sunscreens to themselves each day. They tested 4 commercially available sunscreens in cream, aerosol spray, non-aerosol spray and pump spray formats. ![]() They looked at 48 participants over 21 days. This study looked at the 6 main active ingredients in chemical sunscreens listed above. In early 2020, a study was published in the medical journal JAMA. The Scary Findings of a 2020 Study on Chemical Sunscreens. Octisalate - While official information on the dangers of this chemical are hard to find, it is absorbed into the skin and is best to be avoided. Also absorbed into the skin with currently unknown effects. Octocrylene - Found to be a strong allergen in children, leading to dermatitis.Īvobenzone - This UVA absorber is unstable on its own, needing to be paired with chemicals like homosalate. It's also been shown to increase the amount of pesticides we absorb through our skin. ![]() In one study, this chemical was found in 85.2% of breast milk samples. Homosalate - Linked to hormone disruption. Octinoxate - This chemical is linked with endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, and reproductive organ disruption in both males and females. Also results in high rates of skin allergic reactions. Oxybenzone - This chemical has been linked to endocrine disruption and Hirschsprung's disease. Chemical sunscreens use one of the following 6 active ingredients, all of which are toxic to our coral reefs and other aquatic life:
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