When it comes to protecting our skin from getting sun burnt, we all want something that works. But are you aware that the chemicals used in a traditional sunscreen are doing more harm to our bodies then we may know.
Chemical sunscreen ingredients have been proven to increase your risk to skin cancer! They also contribute to the damage of coral reefs by causing coral bleaching and killing coral spawn. How these ingredients are still allowed to be used today, we don't know!
HOW THEY WORK
Chemical sunscreens work by being absorbed into the skin then absorbing UV radiation and turning them into heat through a chemical reaction. Whereas mineral also known as physical sunblocks work by sitting on the skin absorbing and reflecting the suns UV rays
PROS AND CONS OF CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN;
PROS:
*Does not leave a white cast.
*UVA and UVB protection.
*Light weight.
*Cheaper than mineral sunblocks.
CONS:
*Must be applied 20 mins before sun exposure.
*Can degrade when exposed to the sunlight and be less effective.
*Damage to coral reefs and spawn.
*Increased risk to skin cancer.
*Endocrine disruptors.
*Can be harsh on sensitive skins.
*Not safe for babies under 6 months.
*Comes in plastic packaging
WHAT CHEMICALS TO WATCH OUT FOR: (Read the 'active ingredients' on the back)
*Avobenzone - can cause allergic reactions and disrupt the endocrine system. harmful to reefs.
*Homosalate and Octisalate - Endocrine disruptor.
*Octocrylene - Marine toxicity with the potential to harm coral reefs.
*Octinoxate - Endocrine disruptor. Damages marine ecosystems. Cause dermatitis and is banned in Hawaii and Thailand
*oxybenzone - Cause allergic reactions. Endocrine disruptor. May be more harmfull to children as they are more sensitive. Causes coral bleaching. Banned in Hawaii and Thailand.
*Ensulizole - potential skin irritant.
Butylparaben - Banned in Thailand.
4MBC - Banned in Thailand.
Padimate O - Potentially toxic and/or carcinogen
Sulisobenzone - Potentially toxic and/or carcinogen
Ensulizole - Potentially toxic and/or carcinogen
Dioxybenzone - Potentially toxic and/or carcinogen
Meradimate - Potentially toxic and/or carcinogen
Cinoxate - Potentially toxic and/or carcinogen
Non active ingredient:
*Retinyl palmitate/retinyl - Increased risk of skin cancer when exposed to the sunlight.
More thorough research needs to be done on all chemical sunscreen ingredients to ensure we are not putting our health at risk just to stop us from getting sun burnt.
MINERAL SUNBLOCKS
Mineral (also called physical) sunblocks have been proven to be safer then their chemical counterparts.
Mineral sunblocks contain the minerals zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
Zinc oxide is broad spectrum and covers both long and short waves in UVA and UVB rays as well as protecting from UVC (bluelight) rays. Titanium dioxide is also broad spectrum but doesn't cover long wave UVA and UVB rays.
Zinc oxide is considered safer then titanium dioxide as the titanium dioxide is considered carcinogenic if inhaled as a powder form
Both minerals need to be non-nano as these particles are too large to be absorbed into the skin and oral reefs cannot absorb the larger particles making these ingredients reef safe.
PROS AND CONS FOR MINERAL SUNBLOCKS;
PROS:
*Less likely to irritate the skin.
*UVA, UVB and UVC (bluelight) protection.
*Reef safe ( must be non nano).
*Works immediately-apply just before sun exposure.
*Some formulas don't leave a white cast.
*Zinc oxide is the only ingredient that is considered safe for babies under 6 months.
*Antimicrobial.
*Plastic free packaging options.
CONS:
*Can leave a white cast.
*Thicker product.
*needs to be reapplied more often (every 2 hours)
*Titanium dioxide does not protect against long wave UVA rays.
*Generally more expensive.
There are plenty of really good Zinc based sunblocks on the markets. But always read the back labels of your chosen sun protection and avoid those harmful chemical ingredients. Remember the skin is our largest organ of the body and what goes on the skin will get absorbed into the body potentially doing more harm than good.
We hope you have learned something about sunscreens today and make the conscious decision to opt for a cleaner and healthier sun protection.
Thank you all,