Blog post: Clean Sunscreen - SPF Shopping Guide
We should be able to trust our sunscreen brands to be helping us and not hurting us. In the US, we definitely cannot.
Here's what you need to know about harmful sunscreen ingredients, what to to avoid, the best types of sunscreen for your health and for the environment, including my recommended brands!
In this post:
Sunscreen is a crucial tool for protecting our skin from harmful UV radiation, but not all sunscreens are created equal. Here's what you need to know about sunscreen safety and effectiveness, particularly in the US:
Types of Sunscreen: Chemical and Mineral
Sunscreens fall into two main categories
1. Chemical sunscreens: These contain organic compounds like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone that absorb UV rays. They tend to be easier to apply but may pose more health and environmental concerns.
2. Mineral sunscreens: These use inorganic compounds like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically block UV rays. They're generally considered safer but can be thicker and can leave a white cast on the skin.
Toxic and Harmful Ingredients in Sunscreen - what to avoid
Several common chemical sunscreen ingredients have raised safety concerns. A 2019 FDA study found that four common chemical sunscreen ingredients (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule) were absorbed into the bloodstream at levels exceeding the FDA's threshold for toxicology testing.
A 2020 study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology found that octocrylene-containing sunscreens can degrade into benzophenone, a suspected carcinogen.
Here's what to look out for when you're buying sunscreen.
SUNSCREEN INGREDIENTS TO AVOID:
1. Oxybenzone: This widely used UV filter has been shown to absorb into the bloodstream at levels exceeding FDA safety thresholds. Studies have linked it to hormone disruption and potential environmental harm to coral reefs.
2. Octinoxate: Like oxybenzone, octinoxate can be absorbed systemically and may have endocrine-disrupting effects.
3. Homosalate and Avobenzone: These ingredients have also shown evidence of hormone disruption and systemic absorption.
4. Octocrylene: Recent research indicates that products containing octocrylene can degrade into benzophenone, a suspected carcinogen.
Buying Safe Sunscreen in the US is Trickier!
US vs. European Sunscreens
Sunscreens in Europe are often considered superior for several reasons:
1. More advanced UV filters: The EU has approved several newer, more effective UV filters that are still awaiting FDA approval in the US
2. Stricter regulations: The EU regulates sunscreens as cosmetics, allowing for faster approval of new ingredients. The US regulates them as over-the-counter drugs, leading to a slower approval process
3. Higher standards: The EU has stricter limits on potentially harmful ingredients. For example, they've proposed limiting the concentrations of homosalate and octocrylene in sunscreens due to safety concerns
Clean, Non-toxic Sun Protection: What to Look For
Best Sunscreen Ingredients for Health and Environmental concerns
When choosing a sunscreen, look for:
1. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide: These mineral ingredients are generally considered safe and effective.
2. Broad-spectrum protection: Ensure the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
3. Water-resistant formulas: These provide longer-lasting protection during swimming or sweating.
4. Reef-safe options: If you're concerned about environmental impact, choose sunscreens without oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Recommended "Clean" Sunscreen Brands
Click on any image to visit that brand.
Shopping Guide: Non-Toxic Sunscreen Brands Available in the US
This is not a comprehensive list, but will get you started - I tried to limit this list to easily accessible, reasonably priced brands in the US:
All Good Sunscreen - one of my faves!
- Provides reef-safe, mineral sunscreens that are effective and environmentally friendly
- Known for its safe, non-toxic formulations and broad-spectrum protection
- A trusted brand for safe, organic skincare products, including sunscreens
- Known for its organic formulations and commitment to non-toxic skincare
- Widely available, popular choice for its simple, organic ingredients and effective sun protection
- Offers broad-spectrum protection and is particularly suitable for sensitive skin and children
- More expensive; combines SPF with moisturizer, ideal for daily use on the face.
SHOPPING TIP: Always look for broad-spectrum protection, water resistance if needed, and formulations that suit your skin type and lifestyle. These brands use mineral-based ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are considered safe and effective by the FDA. They avoid harmful chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other endocrine disruptors. Additionally, many of these brands focus on environmental sustainability, offering reef-safe options that do not harm marine life.
Is "Reef Safe" Sunscreen Always "Clean"?
"Reef safe" sunscreen is not always equivalent to "clean ingredient" sunscreen, though there can be significant overlap between the two categories.
1. Reef Safe Sunscreen:
- Focuses primarily on ingredients that don't harm marine ecosystems, e.g. coral reefs
- Typically uses mineral UV filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
- Avoids chemical UV filters like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene
A reef safe sunscreen might still contain synthetic inactive ingredients that wouldn't meet clean ingredient standards.
2. Clean Ingredient, Non-Toxic Sunscreen:
- Emphasizes ingredients that are considered safe for human health
- May exclude a broader range of synthetic chemicals beyond just UV filters
Unfortunately, neither term is officially regulated, leading to potential misuse in marketing.
To ensure a sunscreen is both reef safe and clean:
Review all ingredients: Look for non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Avoid products with parabens, synthetic fragrances, and other potentially harmful additives.
Make Your Own: DIY Natural Homemade Sunscreen Options
Natural sunscreen recipes that you can make at home:
1. Zinc Oxide-Based Sunscreen:
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 2 tablespoons non-nano zinc oxide powder
- Optional: A few drops of carrot seed oil or red raspberry seed oil for added protection
2. Simple Coconut Oil and Zinc Oxide Sunscreen:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons non-nano zinc oxide powder
- Optional: A few drops of essential oils for scent (avoid citrus oils)
3. Lotion-Based Sunscreen:
- 4 oz of your favorite non-toxic lotion
- 1 oz (2 tablespoons) non-nano zinc oxide powder
- 12 drops carrot seed oil
- Optional: 12 drops red raspberry seed oil
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