There’s no doubt about it: sunscreen is important — and it should be worn daily to combat the harmful effects of UV rays (not to mention the aesthetic issues associated with the rays of the sun when it comes to your skin). However, there has been a lot of talk lately about the safety of sunscreens. Not every brand of sunscreen is doing its due diligence when it comes to ensuring it doesn’t contain a ton of chemicals. Finding a sunscreen that you feel comfortable with is key to ensuring you incorporate it into your daily routine with confidence.
There are so many sunscreens from which to choose, including those from major brands you’ve heard of, and those that hail from places like South Korea and Japan. There are also numerous safe and highly-rated options. But it helps to become familiar with some of the ingredients in sunscreen that experts recommend avoiding, and those that are better choices.
Some experts say to avoid these three “harmful” ingredients found in sunscreen products — and look for these other ingredients instead.
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1. Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is a chemical that is often used as a UV filter in sunscreen. Some of the issues that may be associated with it include hormone disruption, skin allergies and reactions, and absorption through the skin that has led to concerns about its possible long-term effects. There are also environmental issues linked to oxybenzone that include toxicity to marine life and coral reef.
2. Octinoxate
Octinoxate is another popular UV filter that has been associated with hormone disruption, system absorption through the skin, allergic reactions, and coral reef and marine life toxicity. To ensure your sunscreen doesn’t contain ingredients like this one, check for the “reef safe” label on bottles, or those that outright say they are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
3. Homosalate
In labs, homosalate has been shown to disrupt estrogen, androgen, and progesterone function and may affect hormonal regulation. It is also known to be potentially toxic to aquatic life. The FDA allows a small percentage of homosalate in sunscreen (although the European Union has stricter limits on it), but has expressed the need for additional data to learn more about it.
Safer alternatives to these ingredients include mineral, physical filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It’s also a great idea to look for “broad spectrum” protection and those that say they are “Reef-safe” or “Oxybenzone- and Octinoxate-free.”
