Whether you’re using sunscreen as an everyday product or taking it into the water, you should be aware of the chemicals to avoid in sunscreen. These chemicals can be hazardous to your health, so if you’re concerned about exposing yourself to them, it’s important to know what to look for. Read on to learn more about suggested chemicals to avoid in sunscreen.
Oxybenzone
Several environmental groups are raising concerns about the effects of sunscreens, particularly the active ingredient oxybenzone. They claim that it interferes with hormones, disrupts thyroid and reproductive functions, and can lead to allergic skin reactions. Oxybenzone is among highly suggested chemicals to avoid in sunscreen.
There are no direct links between oxybenzone and cancer, but some studies suggest that it is a possible endocrine disruptor. It can also increase free radical production, which may lead to cancer. Similarly, it has linked to allergies, endometriosis in older women, and birth weight in newborns.
Oxybenzone has used in a variety of cosmetic products, including facial cleansers and moisturizers. It also found in plastics, flowering plants, and toys.
Some researchers believe that oxybenzone linked to the death of corals and other marine life. It has found to have a negative impact on the reproduction of sea urchins and dolphins. It also said to be a contributor to coral bleaching, which caused by increasing ocean temperatures.
The American Academy of Dermatology, however, says that oxybenzone is safe for human use. The European Commission proposed a two-percent concentration restriction on oxybenzone.
Avobenzone
Several studies have shown that certain chemical sunscreens can disrupt hormones. Some also linked to coral bleaching. Despite this controversy, the sunscreen industry continues to use chemical ingredients like Avobenzone in their products.
To effectively protect against UV rays, sunscreens must contain ingredients that absorb UVB and UVA rays. Typically, avobenzone combined with other chemical ingredients to ensure that the sunscreen is effective.
While avobenzone is effective, it is also prone to breaking down in the sun. This breakdown process can trigger allergic reactions. The FDA restricts avobenzone concentration in sunscreen formulations to three percent.
Many sunscreens manufacturers tout “Avobenzone Free” in their advertising. Despite these claims, avobenzone is not safe for use in sunscreen products.
Avobenzone patented in 1973, but it only approved by the FDA in 1988. It is an organic chemical that absorbs UVA rays. It used in combination with other chemical sunscreens to provide broad spectrum protection.
Avobenzone found in a wide variety of chemical sunscreens. It often combined with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Benzene
Benzene is among the list of chemicals to avoid in sunscreen. It is a well-known carcinogen that has linked to several cancers. It also found in second-hand smoke, car exhaust, and used in some rubber and dye products.
According to the FDA, low levels of benzene exposure are safe, but high levels are not. It’s not clear how it behaves downstream, but skin contact and inhalation are the primary areas of investigation for toxicology studies.
Benzene is a colorless, oil-like substance that found in gasoline and used in some types of lubricants and synthetic products. It also used in some types of sunscreen and dyes. It’s not an intentional ingredient, but can end up in products when they produce.
Valisure LLC, an online pharmacy, performed an independent investigation to determine how much benzene is in popular sunscreens. It found that benzene was present in about 27% of the samples it tested. Some samples had benzene levels three times higher than the FDA’s 2% concentration limit.
Octocrylene
Using octocrylene in sunscreen has been a topic of controversy for chemicals to avoid in sunscreen. While it has approved by the European Union as a safe sunscreen ingredient, there are concerns about its safety in humans. There are also fears it could damage coral reefs.
Octocrylene is a colorless, thick liquid used in many products. It commonly found in sunscreens, BB creams, tanning oils, conditioners, absorbs UV rays and protects skin from damage.
It has also shown to be photo-allergenic. Octocrylene is an organic compound. It used in chemical sunscreens to increase the stability of other ingredients. In addition to being a skin care product additive, it used in hair sprays.
Octocrylene has also linked to an increased risk of melanoma. Moreover, it believed to have endocrine-disrupting properties. This may interfere with key hormones, including estrogen. This could lead to early puberty and altered reproductive organs.
Some sunscreens contain benzophenone, which is a chemical related to octocrylene. It has classified by the World Health Organization as a possible carcinogen.
Cinoxate
Several sunscreen ingredients have found to be harmful to coral reefs and marine life. For example, homosalate, a chemical sunscreen ingredient, has found to produce toxic breakdown byproducts over time.
Another common sunscreen chemical, oxybenzone, is known to act as an endocrine disruptor. Studies have found that it interferes with the production of thyroid hormone and progesterone. It also causes allergic reactions and photoallergies. Several countries have banned the use of oxybenzone in sunscreens.
In addition to endocrine disruption, several other studies have found that sunscreen ingredients may be harmful to skin and other parts of the body. For example, oxybenzone found to alter the development of the breast in adolescent females. It can also cause contact allergies. It is also known to affect the sperm viability of men.
Another chemical to avoid in sunscreen is octinoxate. It is a UV filter that highly absorbed through the skin. Octocrylene is also an additive. It is a cinnamates ester that absorbs high energy UVA radiation. The Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Sunscreens lists it along with oxybenzone as a UV filter with higher toxicity concerns.
PABA
Several people have an allergy to PABA in sunscreen and this can lead to skin irritation. However, PABA not considered harmful when absorbed by the skin.
PABA has found in several foods and supplements. It can find in vitamin folic acid, brewer’s yeast, and organ meat. It has also used to treat several skin diseases. However, PABA rarely found in sunscreens.
There are a few PABA derivatives that commonly used in sunscreen products. They include oxybenzone and benzophenone-3, photo-sensitizers, meaning they absorb the UV rays and prevent them from passing through the skin. They are also carbon-based compounds.
Another type of chemical sunscreen is dibenzoylmethane. It is a photosensitizer and commonly used in sunscreen products and can cause allergic reactions.
It is important to note that PABA does not protect the skin against melanoma or cancer. However, it has been associated with liver damage. It has also linked to cellular damage. It believed that the accumulation of PABA in the kidneys can make people more susceptible to liver damage.
Perfumes/fragrances
Using fragrances/perfumes in sunscreen can cause irritation. This is because fragrances are additives. They can find in sunscreens, colognes, and other personal care products. They can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
The cosmetic industry doesn’t have to disclose all ingredients in a product, so it’s up to the consumer to do the research. Often, the ingredients in a fragrance can be synthetic, natural, or a combination of both.
If you’re a fragrance-sensitive person, you may need to read labels more carefully to determine what ingredients are safe to use. Often, fragrances formulated with chemical additives called phthalates. These chemicals have linked to health problems, including hormone disruption. They can also find in skin care products, detergents, and food packaging.
Many fragrance ingredients classified as allergens. These chemicals can cause hives, eczema flare-ups, and other negative reactions.
There are several different ways to avoid fragrances in sunscreen. You can use sunscreens that are fragrance-free, or choose products that have low-dose essential oils.
Natural fragrances are best for people with fragrance allergies. They can be irritating, but can also help invigorate people.
Nanoparticles
Getting your skin protected from the sun is an important part of staying healthy. However, it’s also important to know how to avoid nanoparticles in sunscreen. Nanoparticles are small enough to be invisible to the naked eye but they can still do a lot to damage your skin.
Nanoparticles can also cause reactive oxygen species to form. These reactive oxygen species can damage your DNA cells without even touching them. It’s important to note that nanoparticles not inhaled as they are in the sunscreen, which may explain why they haven’t studied in detail.
Nanoparticles are also known to give your sunscreen a clear finish. Unlike chemical sunscreens, which are more likely to trigger allergic reactions, these nanoparticle formulations do a better job of protecting your skin from sun damage.
Nanoparticles are also less irritating. For example, zinc oxide nanoparticles are less greasy and less odorous. Unlike chemical sunscreens, these are also easier to apply.
A recent study found that nanoparticles in sunscreens aren’t the health risk they’re made out to be. The best sunblocks contain a broad spectrum of ultraviolet rays.
