A List of Ingredients to Avoid in Your Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a ray of hope for your skin.
Wearing sunscreen regularly will help in preventing cancer, premature aging, and sunburns. When it comes to shopping for sunscreens it is important to know what you are buying and applying to your skin. Just because you are not ingesting it does not mean it will not affect you. Your skin is your largest organ, so what you put on it matters. Here is a list of certain ingredients to avoid, and some recommended sunscreens.
The main concerns
Most concerns related to sunscreens are the negative effects they have on hormones and skin sensitivity. These chemicals mainly have an impact on your hormones, specifically the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for regulating hormones that are essential for growth, development, metabolism, and many more bodily functions. Prolonged wear can negatively impact your hormone levels.
What to avoid
The two most common ingredients found in sunscreen are oxybenzone and octinoxate. These have similar effects as they are known for causing skin allergies and disrupting your hormones. They can also be harmful to coral reefs, which is something you should consider before going on vacation.
Other ingredients to avoid are parabens, retinyl palmitate, and phthalates. Parabens and phthalates are preservatives that have been linked to hormone disruption and allergic reactions. Retinyl palmitate is a form of vitamin A that can cause irritation and make your skin more sensitive when exposed to sunlight.
Finally, the last ingredients recommended to avoid are homosalate and octocrylene. These are common UVB filters that can be absorbed into the body and disrupt your hormones.
Consider this
When it comes to choosing a sunscreen look for mineral-based options that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient. These are generally safer for your skin and the environment. Looking into labels can tell you a lot about the sunscreen, so if you are in a rush take a look to see what the ingredients are. Sunscreen is so important for skin health, so it is ideal to find one that will protect your skin and keep your hormones happy. Below I have linked some safe sunscreens for your time in the sun!
Stay safe in the sun and
Be Well, Auburn.
Writer
Cat was born in Georgia but moved a lot as a child. From North Carolina to Florida, she has been all over the south. Cat can confidently say she has found her home in Auburn. Now a junior, she is majoring in Marketing and minoring in Crop Soil Sciences.
She has a passion for social media and environmental science and hopes to combine both her passions in her career one day. Outside of class, Cat loves trying new foods, going on long walks, and binge watching New Girl with her roomie. She is also on the club swim team and spends her afternoons practicing. Cat is so excited for the rest of her time at Auburn and hopes to spend it as best she can!
