Most Toxic Sunscreens to Avoid
- COOLA Classic Body Sunscreen Spray, Peach Blossom, SPF 70.
- Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100.
- Banana Boat Ultra Defense Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100.
- Banana Boat Kids MAX Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100.
- Australian Gold Botanical Natural Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70.
List of Harmful Chemicals in Sunscreen and Body Care Products
- Benzophenone-3, also know as Oxybenzone.
- Avobenzone.
- Cylcopentasiloxane / Cyclomethicone.
- Formaldehyde, Diazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, DMDM Hydantoin and Hydroxymethylglycinate.
- Homosalate.
- Methylisothiazolinone.
- Microbeads.
- Nano particles.
Recently Tested Sunscreens
- Coppertone. Limited Edition Ultra Guard Lotion SPF 30.
- Neutrogena. Sport Face Oil-Free Lotion SPF 70.
- La Roche-Posay. Anthelios Lotion Spray SPF 60.
- Panama Jack. Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50.
- Panama Jack. Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 30.
- Hawaiian Tropic. AntiOxidant+ Mist SPF 30.
- Goddess Garden Organics.
- Coola.
Here are 6 questionable common chemical sunscreen ingredients:
- Oxybenzone, known as benzophenone-3, a hormone disrupter.
- Avobenzone, also a benzophenone.
- Homosalate, another hormone disruptor.
- Octinoxate, known as octyl methoxycinnamate, a hormone and endocrine disruptor.
- Octocrylene.
- Octisalate, it stabilizes avobenzone.
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+One of our chemical-free drugstore favorites, this oil-free sunscreen uses physical filters titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to form a supereffective sun-protective shield. It also feels weightless, won't irritate sensitive skin, and costs about $10.
What Are the Best Sunscreens?
- Neutrogena Ultra Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 55.
- ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Sunscreen SPF 50+
- ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ Zinc Oxide 3.4 Fl.
- La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen.
- PCA Skin Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
While chemical sunscreens work by absorbing into the skin and then absorbing UV rays, the particles in mineral-based sunscreens sit on top of the skin's surface and prevent UV rays from entering. Mineral sunscreens typically use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the two main active ingredients.
Hello Bello Sunscreen Lotion
From Kristen Bell and Dax Shepherd's line, this top-rated sunscreen is not only reef-safe, but it's the only FDA-approved sunscreen that protects against all three types of UV rays (UVB, UVA2, and UVA1). It's also vegan and cruelty-free.Sunscreen Allowed in HawaiiWe are very proud to say that our Original, Mineral and Signature sunscreen products throughout the U.S. all meet the requirements of the FDA and Hawaiian legislation and are Reef Friendly (Oxybenzone & Octinoxate free).
Formulated with three essential ceramides that help restore the skin's natural barrier, our SPF 50 sunscreen stick is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, and the microfine zinc oxide gives you powerful sun protection that spreads easily and evenly, while also leaving a clear finish.
Bare Republic's biodegradable, eco-active Mineral Sunscreens are formulated without chemical actives, parabens, synthetic fragrances, or anything else we wouldn't want to put on our skin or leave behind in nature.
Sun Bum SPF 50 Moisturizing Sunscreen LotionDon't let Sun Bum's trendy branding fool you; EWG considers this brand a very poor choice for UV protection. Their SPF 50 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion, for example, contains a range of worrisome chemicals, including oxybenzone and methylisothiazolinone.
SkinSAFE has reviewed the ingredients of Sun Bum SPF 50 Original Sunscreen Lotion, 8 fl oz and found it to be 82% Top Allergen Free and free of Gluten, Nickel, Lanolin, Paraben, Topical Antibiotic, Soy, Propylene Glycol, Oil, and Dye. Product is Teen Safe.
7. Zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is the second GRASE sunscreen ingredient, allowed in concentrations up to 25 percent. Studies show it's safe, with no evidence of skin penetration, even after repeated use.
Yes, our Baby Bum products are formulated using mild, plant-based ingredients in just the right amounts to protect, nourish and hydrate. Good for both you and your rad little bundle of joy.
Sun Bum Revitalizing is an OK shampoo, with a great smell, but it does a mediocre job at cleansing the hair. It doesn't provide deep nutrition for my fine hair, so I think this won't be enough for a very coarse dry hair. The scent is very nice, an almost natural scent of banana and coconut.
Oxybenzone is a cornucopia of nasty side effects. It's considered a hazardous eye irritant and, as an allergen, is also known to cause skin allergies. As a hormone disruptor to coral, it also causes hormone disruption in humans, affecting estrogen production particularly in women and testosterone production in men.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
- Choose a sunscreen with “broad spectrum†protection.
- Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher.
- “Water resistant†does not mean “waterproof.†No sunscreens are waterproof or “sweatproof,†and manufacturers are not allowed to claim that they are.
Experts say sunscreens with an SPF higher than 50 aren't worth buying. They only offer marginally better protection. They might also encourage you to stay out in the sun longer. Instead, choose an SPF between 15 and 50, apply liberally, and reapply often.
A sunscreen with SPF 30 will protect you from around 96.7% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 50 means protection from about 98% of UVB rays. Anything beyond SPF 50 makes very little difference in terms of risk of sun damage, and no sunscreens offer 100% protection from UVB rays.
The Best Natural Sunscreens for Everyday Use
- tube of COOLA Mineral Sunscreen.
- tube of bare Republic Mineral Face Lotion.
- tube of Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen.
- Juice Beauty SPF Oil-Free Moisturizer.
- Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense.
- Biossance Squalane Mineral Sunscreen.
Should you avoid oxybenzone?
- Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50.
- Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 30+
- Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 50.
- UV Pure Face and Body Physical Sunscreen SPF 47.
- Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion SPF 50+
Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays.
Segal, MD, two things can cause sunscreen-related pimples: clogged pores from comedogenic ingredients or a sensitivity to chemical UV-blocking agents. In other words, the mineral sunscreens can sit on top of your skin and gunk up pores, while the chemical ones might irritate vulnerable skin.
Side Effects
- Acne.
- burning, itching, or stinging of the skin.
- early appearance of redness or swelling of the skin.
- late appearance of rash with or without weeping blisters that become crusted, especially in sun-exposed areas, and may extend to unexposed areas of the skin.
- pain in hairy areas.
- pus in the hair follicles.
Sunscreen will cause hyperpigmentation if it has any one of these effects. If the sunscreen you wear stresses your skin (some chemical sunscreens can do this), it may cause skin darkening. Secondly, if you use sunscreen that has hormonally-active ingredients (like oxybenzone), it can cause hormonal skin darkening.
