Summer is in full swing…and so are the suns rays! Are you aware of what chemicals are in your sunscreen? Here is some information to consider, to help you stay safe and healthy for the remainder of the summer!
According to research from the EWG*: Our review…shows that some sunscreen ingredients absorb into the blood, and some have toxic effects. Some release skin-damaging free radicals in sunlight, some act like estrogen and disrupt hormones, and several can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation. The FDA has not established rigorous safety standards for sunscreen ingredients. Sunscreens haven’t been regulated since 1978 in the USA, and the SPF factor only tells you how effective a sunscreen is against UVB rays which cause sunburn.
So in review, some ingredients in your sunscreen may:
- Absorb into the blood
- Release free radicals in sunlight
- Act like estrogen
- Disrupt hormones
- Cause allergic reactions
- Cause skin irritation
- Have no rigorous safety standards
List of Unsafe, Toxic Chemicals in Sunscreen
- Paraben
- Para amino benzoic acid
- Octyl salicyclate
- Oxybenzone
- Cinoxate
- Dioxybenzone
- Phenylbenzimidazole
- Homosalate
- Menthyl anthranilate
- Octocrylene
- Methoxycinnamate
The two types of sunscreens: non-mineral and mineral. And some that combine both.
- Non-mineral sunscreens penetrate the skin, are potentially disruptive to hormones, are allergenic, and like I mentioned earlier, can release free radicals when they break down. Oxybenzone is the most common ingredient found in sunscreens. Scientists recommend not using sunscreens containing oxybenzone on children because of this hormone disruption.
- Mineral sunscreens are ones containing zinc, or titanium. These do not breakdown in sunlight, are not usually absorbed ( so do not disrupt the body’s hormones), are not allergenic and are more effective at blocking UVA rays than non-minerals. These sunscreens are a good choice for children and according to EWG have the best safety profiles of the choices in the United States.
Click here to find out more about the sunscreens that you currently use. All you have to do is type in a brand name in the search and it will show a list of chemicals and how safe the product is. For example, Coppertone Kids SPF50 has a score of 7, which equates to a high hazard level based on the chemicals in it.
Check out a few of the safe sunscreens we recommend you use this summer! Stop in today…we can help you find a safe sunscreen for you and your loved ones!
