Hi everyone, as an active member of this thread and a current Med Student, I came across some information recently that really worried me. This 2020 study linked here outlines some of the most common ingredients used in sunscreen (Oxybenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate and Octocrylene) and their effects on our skin.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE:
As we already know, in order to provide UVA/UVB protection, chemical sunscreens tend to penetrate the skin rather than sit on top of it. This was well known and completely fine, provided that the chemicals within the sunscreen are safe and wash out with water at the end of the day.
However, this has proven to not be the case at all as most of these ingredients not only penetrate our skin but live inside of our bodies for much longer as we initially thought. In Oxybenzone for instance "the FDA study found blood levels 438 times above cutoff for systemic exposure" WHAT?
The article goes on to illustrate other chemicals and how high above the systemic cutoff they are:
Homosalate - FDA study found blood levels 37 times above cutoff for systemic exposure
Octisalate - FDA study found blood levels 10 times above cutoff for systemic exposure
Octocrylene - FDA study found blood levels 14 times above cutoff for systemic exposure
THESE CHEMICALS STAY IN OUR BODIES - SO WHAT?
As someone who has suffered with extremely bad skin and breakouts in the past, i'm naturally cautious of anything I put on my skin. What frightens me the most about these chemicals is how nearly every single one of them have been linked to disrupting or causing hormonal changes in the body.
With Oxybenzone for instance, the study mentions "Weak estrogen, moderate anti-androgen; associated with altered birth weight in human studies"
This is the case with Homosalate too as it "Disrupts estrogen, androgen and progesterone"
Now I know from personal experience with birth control, that hormone disruption is often the main reason for my breakouts, which I hate.
DOES MY SUNSCREEN EVEN HAVE THOSE CHEMICALS IN THEM? HOW DO I CHECK?
Thankfully, the FDA requires all sunscreen products to report their active ingredients at the back of the bottle. So it's quite easy to check if your sunscreen is using these ingredients. Most do, with the exception of mineral sunscreens that have ZINC OXIDE as their main ingredient.
HOW IS THIS EVEN LEGAL? WHY CAN COMPANIES STILL GET AWAY WITH THIS?
There's no reason for these companies to avoid using these harmful chemicals. They're cheap to manufacture and to be honest, unless someone dies from it, or if it's linked to some rare form of disease/cancer (which we wouldn't even find out until decades later once a comprehensive study is funded and completed) then business continues as usual.
But just because the FDA hasn't outright banned a chemical, it doesn't mean it's necessarily good for you or safe to use. Think about the use of aluminum in deodorant for instance. There's plenty of deodorants that still use it (it's perfectly legal), but people are beginning to realize the effects of aluminum in the body, and are opting for safer (and better) deodorant alternatives like NATIVE aluminum free deodorant or SCHMIDT'S deodorant.
No one cares about your body as much as you do. Doctors and health professionals may advise you once you are actually unhealthy and have a condition of some sort, but anything up until that point is entirely YOUR responsibility. What you choose to put on your skin should be as carefully monitored as what you put inside of your child's mouth.
My personal philosophy has always been to use as close to natural ingredients as possible whenever I can. It might cost a dollar or two more, but I find that on 99% of skin types, it's the natural ingredients that work more harmoniously and cause less breakouts. Why? Because your body is used to natural stuff. It's often the chemicals that irritate your skin.
ALTERNATIVES (RANKED BEST FROM WORST)
Mineral sunscreens tend to be the safest option not only to avoid any skin allergy and breakout, but also for the environment and its effect on coral reefs.
Here are my top alternatives
- TEMPLE Organic SPF with Moisturizer - THIS is truly the holy grail of sunscreens. After trying 30+ products I was introduced to this brand recently by my sister in law. Apparently it has a cult-like following in parts of New York and Hawaii where Sun Exposure is rampant and organic ingredients have become the preferred option. I use this everyday since it's a moisturizer as well. It has a matte finish and it has no white cast which is always a plus. It's like the Elta MD but more lightweight and blends better.
- EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 - Pricey but it's a good option if you're just starting to get into sunscreen. It doesn't have a moisturizing aspect to it (sunscreen only) but it's fine because its lightweight as well. No white cast on this. A little less organic than #1 but still a wonderful option nonetheless.
- First Aid Beauty Weightless Liquid Mineral Sunscreen - I've heard alot about this sunscreen and have seen it a few times online from some trusted sources, but I haven't had the fortune of trying it out myself yet. From what I hear, it's among the few good mineral sunscreens (along with the other two I mentioned) that have no white cast. It's pricer for sure but it's Zinc Oxide based which is always something to look for. Comes in a good quantity as well.
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