The sun’s rays are getting hotter, and it’s time to start actively protecting your skin if you plan to spend more than 10 minutes at a time outside. Unfortunately, not all sunscreen products are equally safe or effective. Some even contain harmful ingredients that can be absorbed into your body and potentially lead to health issues down the road. So instead of grabbing the first sunscreen product you see on the shelf, follow these tips for choosing the right sunscreen.
Check the Ingredients
You can’t tell how safe a product is just by looking at its front label. You need to turn it around and look at the back label to see what’s actually in it. There are a lot of strange-sounding ingredients in most sunscreen products, but here are some of the most undesirable:
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Phthalates
- Parabens
These ingredients are found in many popular sunscreen brands, but they should give you cause for concern. Here’s what you should know about each of them.
Oxybenzone is a synthetic estrogen that is a potential hormone disruptor and may interfere with the endocrine system. Your endocrine system is responsible for many things, including growth and development, thyroid function, sexual function and metabolism.
Octinoxate is another potential hormone disruptor and may lead to reproductive toxicity. It’s a commonly used UV Filter in various sunscreen products. It’s also commonly listed as methoxy-cinnamate, OMC, or ethylhexyl methoxy-cinnamate.
Phthalates are chemicals that are frequently put into plastic products to increase their durability. They are also commonly found in sunscreen. Research shows a link between phthalates in the body and surging chronic disease rates. There is also a connection between phthalates and cancer, though it is still being studied. On product labels, phthalates are usually identified with an acronym such as DiBP or DHEP. However, they aren’t always listed on labels, which is why it’s important to choose sunscreen that is specifically labeled as “phthalate-free.”
Parabens act like hormones when ingested or absorbed into the body. They can disrupt the normal function of the reproductive system, fertility, and hormone production. Look for sunscreen products that are labeled “paraben-free.”
These are just a few of the top ingredients to avoid in sunscreen products. They are chemicals that can potentially harm your body, especially with long-term use.
Look for Reef-Safe Options
Some ingredients found in many popular sunscreen products are damaging to the environment and can harm coral. If you’re planning to head to the beach to play in the waves, make sure you choose a reef-safe sunscreen. You may get lucky and find a sunscreen bottle that’s clearly listed as “reef-safe,” but more than likely, you’ll need to check the ingredients list to determine if a product you’re considering buying is eco-friendly. Here are some of the ingredients that can harm coral and should be avoided:
- PABA
- Octocrylene
- Oxybenzone
- Homosalate
- Octinoxate
- Triclosan
- Parabens
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
- Exfoliating beads and any other form of microplastic
- Nano-sized particles
Once you find a good sunscreen that doesn’t contain ingredients harmful to your body or coral, stick with it.
Get Beach-Ready
You may have found the perfect sunscreen, but is your body ready for beach season? Newport Medical and Wellness Center offers personalized weight loss programs to help you get in the best shape of your life for summer.
