Since July is UV Safety Month, here’s the scoop on some of the frightful ingredients found in sunscreens. You’ll want to keep these far far away from your skin.
Parabens
Why we’ve used it:
Parabens are used as a preservative in most personal-care products, (sunscreen, shampoo, deodorant, etc.) extending their shelf life for months to years. They prevent bacterial growth and other molds or yeasts from forming, making it a “preservative of choice” for sunscreens.
Why It’s Dangerous:
Parabens have been shown to imitate the activity of estrogen, causing hormonal disruptions, allergies, toxicity, linking them to a multitude of health conditions like melanoma and even breast cancer. Disguised with prefix’s like butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-, it is the second most used ingredient in personal-care products, second to water. Scary!
Oxybenzone
Why we’ve used it:
Oxybenzone is a proven protector of the deeper layers of skin against UV rays. It’s an effective chemical at absorbing and filtering harmful rays after absorption into the skin.
Why It’s Dangerous:
Oxybenzone is a chemical. Like Parabens, it can cause harmful bodily damage (hormone disruptions, toxicity, allergic reactions) once absorbed into your skin. Even more dangerous is that Oxybenzone is a “penetration booster.” It helps other chemicals absorb deeper into your skin. Imagine how long those can stay in your body!
Retinyl Palmitate
Why we’ve used it:
Retinyl Palmitate is an antioxidant. It’s a combination of Vitamin A (Retinol) and palmitic acid, which is in palm and coconut plants. It’s job is to improve the sunscreen’s performance against the aging effects caused by UV ray exposure.
Why It’s Dangerous:
Talk about a controversial ingredient! It’s job is to enhance a sunscreen’s anti-aging power? Well, some forms of UV exposed retinol break down and actually PRODUCE the harmful free radicals that cause damage to your cells! Think loss of elasticity, skin cancers, etc.
You’re “Out-of-the-Woods” Under These Ingredients:
- Natural broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient
- Blocks damage from both UVA “Aging” rays and UVB “Burning” rays
- Recommended re-apply every 2 hours
- Natural broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredient
- Blocks damage from both UVA/UVB rays, but Zinc Oxide is stronger
- Recommended re-apply every 2 hours
- It’s a Chemical but is relatively safe when it comes to toxicity
- Provides almost complete protection from UVA rays, the “Aging” rays