Avoid Two Ingredients in Sunscreen

Yesterday I explained what sunscreen does and doesn’t do – including the fact that sunscreen does not prevent skin cancer.

Consumers typically can choose from two kinds of sunscreens: “chemical” and “mineral.” Chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin while mineral sunscreens – usually made with zinc or titanium dioxide – remain on the skin’s surface. As long as the minerals aren’t nanoparticles (or micronized), mineral-based sunscreens are safe.

Sadly, most chemical sunscreens do expose people to toxins, including retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone.

Retinyl palmitate
Retinyl palmitate, an ingredient found in one-fourth of all sunscreens that slows skin’s aging, 1 is a form of vitamin A. When applied in sunlight, like sunscreen usually is, retinyl palmitate is suspected to speed the development of skin tumors.

Oxybenzone
According to the Environmental Working Group, “scientists have called for parents to avoid using oxybenzone on children due to penetration and toxicity concerns.” As a hormone disruptor, oxybenzone is hazardous. The chemical’s also linked to low birth weight in babies. 2 Avoid oxybenzone and choose a sunscreen with avobenzone, instead.

What else to avoid
Aside from retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone, avoid sunscreens in a spray or powder form. With sprays and powders, you run the risk of inhaling particles of sunscreen. There’s also a greater chance that dangerous nanoparticles are included in sprays and powders. By applying a sunscreen cream, you don’t have to worry about inhalation – or nanoparticles. 3

Sources

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Hilary Kimes Bernstein

Hilary Kimes Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, mama, and journalist. She writes about making healthy decisions that honor God and happen to help the environment at Accidentally Green. Short and sweet - like her writing - Hilary is the author of several healthy living eBooks.

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