What harmfull ingredients should I be looking out for in my sunscreen?
Because we want to enjoy summer to the fullest, this is the time of year when we stock up on all the sunscreen our face and body could ever need. However, it’s important to remember that not all sunscreen was created equal. Sometimes there are ingredients tossed in there that can be detrimental to your overall health, even if it’s meant to protect you from the sun.
You’ve probably heard a few different things when it comes to harmful sunscreen ingredients. We’re going to help you sift through all the information so you can fully equip yourself for the hot summer months.
Unfortunately, the majority of sunscreen you can buy is packed with nasty chemicals.
These artificial chemical ingredients can cause harm to your body, whether it’s an allergic reaction, a rash, a hormonal imbalance, or even an increased risk of cancer. Even scarier is the fact that many sunscreens contain “penetration enhancers,” which keep the product on your body for a longer time and make it much easier for it to be absorbed into your skin. That means a lot of those chemicals are being emitted into your system.
Scary, right? The Environmental Working Group has collected extensive research and listed out all the ingredients you should be looking out for in your sunscreen.
These are the ingredients you should steer clear of at all costs.
Oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, titanium dioxide, paraben preservatives, and avobenzone shouldn’t be floating around in your sunscreen, so put that bottle back on the shelf if you see any of these on the label.
Luckily, there are all sorts of healthy alternatives out there that give you the protection you need from the sun, only without offering the risk of hormonal disruption, development of cancer, or skin allergy.
Brands like Alba Botanica, MyChelle, Episencial, and Block Island are great choices that have non-toxic, non-carcinogenic ingredients. All you have to do is read the labels and make sure what you’re getting won’t cause harm to your body.
Because you can protect yourself from the sun without filling yourself with harmful chemicals.
