The Most Toxic Sunscreens (Plus, Safer Ones to Choose)

Sun is surely providing our body with many different benefits, one of them being Medical News Today, but during the hot summer days and the beach season approaching, we should find a sunscreen that will reduce our risk of sunburns, overexposure, and possibly skin cancer too.

There are lots of sunscreens on the market nowadays, but they are all created differently. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports from spring 2021 they have tested various sunscreens, where 72% of them have been shown to contain harmful ingredients or improper sun protection.

The results of the EWG’s 10th annual Guide to Sunscreens report show that even though the sunscreen content has improved greatly over the last decade, most of the sunscreens available in America still fail to provide enough protection against ultraviolet rays, and include toxic chemicals.

We must point out that there’s no perfect sunscreen, as most of them include toxic chemicals and nanoparticles which can cross the blood-brain barrier and harm aquatic life as well. (1) 750 sunscreens, 100 lip products, and over 500 SPF-labeled moisturizers were analyzed by EWG, to rate their safety and efficiency in order to help users find a better choice.

The Best Sunscreen Brands of 2021

Beach & Sport

Moisturizers

Kid-Friendly

Avoid These Toxic Sunscreens

Since children are more prone to specific toxic chemicals and blistering sunburns obtained in the early stages of life might raise the risk of skin cancer, this year EWG has paid more attention to sunscreens for children. According to them, these are the worst children’s sunscreens:

Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
Banana Boat Kids Max Protect & Play Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70+
CVS Baby Sunstick Sunscreen, SPF 55
Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion Kids, SPF 70+
Equate Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
CVS Kids Wet & Dry Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
Coppertone Sunscreen Continuous Spray, Kids, SPF 70
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
Hampton Sun Continuous Mist Sunscreen For Kids, SPF 70
Coppertone Foaming Lotion Sunscreen Kids Wacky Foam, SPF 70+
Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 70+

Main Discoveries in the Sunscreen Report of EWG

Around 50% of all sunscreen products available in America won’t pass the stricter standards in Europe as they aren’t able to filter sufficient UVA rays.
The anti-aging antioxidant that can cause skin tumors and lesions on sunlight exposure, retinyl palmitate, was found in 10% of lip products, 14% of moisturizers with SPF, and 16% of sport and beach sunscreens.
Almost 30% of the tested sunscreens were sprayed, which are difficult to be applied properly, and which pose an inhalation risk. These spray sunscreens are also a concern to the Food and Drug Administration, although they are still not banned by the agency.
Oxybenzone, an allergen, and the hormone-disrupting chemical were found in 70% of non-mineral sunscreens.
If you are one of those who avoid the sun, check your vitamin D levels, as sunscreens can lead to a deficiency of this vitamin.

Luckily, you can protect yourself from sunburns and produce enough amounts of vitamin D, without necessarily applying sunscreens to your skin.

How to Avoid Sun Overexposure without using Sunscreen?

As we mentioned, the sun is important for our health as it triggers the production of vitamin D in our bodies. Foods rich in vitamin D can provide you with this vitamin, but still, the best method is through direct sun exposure. Actually, 10 minutes of exposure to the sun helps the body produce about 10,000 Vitamin D units.

The Deficiency of this vitamin has been related to certain autoimmune diseases, cancers, osteoporosis, depression, heart disease, and other illnesses, so it’s crucial to get enough vitamin D. We should turn to sunscreens as our last option to protect from sunburns. There’s no clear proof that sunscreen usage prevents skin cancer, and in fact, some sunscreen ingredients can even fuel skin cancer.

You can lower your sunburn risk without applying sunscreen, by just wearing sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and hats, and simply avoiding sun exposure during peak sunlight hours.

Final Thoughts

According to the EWG’s 10th Guide to Sunscreens report, there’s no such thing as perfect sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens generally have safer rates, but they usually include nanoparticles that haven’t been studied for long-term influence on aquatic or human health, and which aren’t tightly regulated.

They may even include hormone-disrupting chemicals and skin cancer-causing ingredients. Nevertheless, EWG’s report is helpful for people to find safer options and avoid the worst brands.

We should always take sun-protective measures like wearing sunglasses, and hats, avoiding peak sunlight for a longer time and seeking shades before we decide to use sunscreens. And when we decide to use sunscreen, we should ensure we have chosen one of the best and safer ones.

Pure and Smile

Via Draxe

about me

Gabriela

A mom of two with a background in journalism, I took health into my own hands and started researching to find answers to my own health struggles. My research turned into a blog that turned into an amazing community (starring you!).

When I'm not reading medical journals, creating new recipes, you can find me somewhere outside in the sun or undertaking some DIY remodeling project that inevitably takes twice as long as it was supposed to.

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