An EWG study of laboratory tests of 51 sunscreen products found that only 35 percent of the products tested met the EU standard, but 94 percent would pass the current U.S. standard.. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Breakdown products of avobenzone have been shown to cause allergic reactions. But to reduce its response to sunlight, manufacturers use forms of minerals coated with inert chemicals. Sunscreen sales have increased dramatically, so sunscreen companies can certainly afford to conduct the studies needed to ensure their customers are safe.. 2018 Feb;17(1):15-19. doi . Nanoparticles in sunscreens | EWG's Guide to Sunscreens This is all very helpful the k you so much but I was also thinking about the effects sunscreen has on our oceans? What Sunscreen is Banned in Hawaii? Plus 7 Reef Safe Options But some environmental and health groups single out oxybenzone as potentially unsafe for some people and the environment. LorettaDrmtlgyDrunk ElephantDukeDuke Cannon Supply Co.e.l.f.Earth HarborEarth MamaEarth Scienceeau thermale AveneEco LipsEleven by VenusEltaMDEmmaus BeautyeosEpionceEqualineEquateErbavivaErin's FacesEucerinEVER SkincareEveryday HumansFenty Skin First Aid BeautyFlorence by MillsFlorida GrownFlorida SnowbirdFormula 10.0.6FRE SkincareFresh MonsterGarnierGhost DemocracyGlo Skin BeautyGlossierGlow RecipeGMGoddess GardenGold BondGood SenseGreen GooHamilton BabiesHampton SunHarris TeeterHarry'sHawaiian BlendHawaiian SolHawaiian TropicHello BelloHempzHero CosmeticsHeroes BeautyhersHigher Education SkincareHonest BeautyILiaImage SkincareInna OrganicInstaNaturalISDINIt CosmeticsJan MariniJane IredaleJASONJaxon LaneJergensJLo BeautyJuice BeautyJulepJune JacobsJust Skin FoodKabana Organic SkincareKari GranKate SomervilleKe KoKeysKeys SoulcareKiehl'sKinloKinshipKiss My FaceKokua Sun CareKrogerKyprisL'OrealL'Oreal ParisLa Roche-PosayLancerLancomeLASPA Naturals LeaderLilyAna NaturalsLove Sun BodyLumeneMad Hippiemade ofMaelove SkincareMambino NaturalsMANTLMario BadescuMarket BasketMary KayMaui Natural OrganicsMax BlockMaybellineMDSolarSciencesMeijerMeleMiami Beach BodyMineral FusionMuradMustelaMy Day ScreenMyChelleNativeNaturiumNeogenNeoraNeutrogenaNiveaNo 7No B.S.NuoriNcessaireOars + AlpsOBAGIOlaOlayOld SpiceOle HenriksenOlenOlitaOlita BabyOlivina MenOne Love Body SoulOriginsOsmosis SkincarePacific Beach OrganicsPacificaPalmer'sPanama JackPanoxylPaula's ChoicePCA SkinPelagic Sun Protection Peter Thomas RothphilosophyPhysicians FormulaPipettePixiPondsPoofy OrganicsPridefulProactivProfile CobaltProject SunscreenProtectorPurehavenRare BeautyRaw ElementsRejuva MineralsRen Clean SkincareRene RouleauReViveRevlonRoCRocky Mountain Sunscreen Rodan and FieldsS4SaieSalt & StoneSanReSea & SkiSea & SummitSea KindSeven MineralsShea MoistureShiseidoSignature CareSimpleSimple Truth SkinCeuticalsSkinMedicaSmashboxSoap & GlorySobel SkinSoftlipsSolara SuncareSolbarSoleil ToujoursSoleo OrganicsSolimoSonageSonreiSonya DakarSpecific BeautySt. I am wondering if you are familiar with Beautycounter products or if our sunscreen was left off of your safe list for another reason. To lower the risks to sunscreen users and maximize these products sun protection, EWG supports stronger guidelines and restrictions on the types of zinc and titanium used in sunscreens, including nanoparticles, which we have analyzed in detail. This is by no means a complete list. Ive found this to be the best choice for a 100% zinc oxide sunscreen, says Dr. Chen. The Supergoop Play 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 30 with Green Algae, for instance, only contains zinc oxide as the active ingredient which is what we are looking for in reef-safe sunscreens. The good news is you can get enough vitamin D and protect yourself from burns without always turning to sunscreen. With much gratitude, Alba is free of oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, nano-sunscreens and Vitamin A, so I guess its not that bad. How Safe is Sunscreen - Sunblock Ingredients Without Oxybenzone An EWG analyst warns: Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection and should not be relied on alone. According to Prevention, Neutrogena's Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is free from oxybenzone and is designed for sensitive skin plus, it also offers a non-greasy finish. Chemical blockers contain chemicals that absorb the sun's ultraviolet rays. EWG recommends that consumers avoid all spray and powder sunscreen products. For You If: If you want next generation, moisturising, sensitive skin friendly, anti-ageing sunscreen protection. Avobenzone can disrupt the endocrine system and has been shown to block the effects of testosterone in cellular studies. I couldnt just lay there. THANKS! It didnt mention on the list, but definitely deserve a pot on the best sunscreen list. Their app is helpful because you can pull out your phone in the store and scan the barcode before you even purchase. I was introduced to it by a friend when skiing in Hokkaido couple years ago. Environmental Working Group. Is oxybenzone a chemical? [Fact Checked!] - ScienceOxygen I would like to know if the ingredients are safe or harmful. FDA 2019 proposed classification as safe and effective. are clickable links to these studies. It has taken quite some time, but oil pulling has finally gained Environmental Working Groups 17th annual Guide to Sunscreens is a mix of good and bad news when it comes to the state of sunscreens sold in American and beyond. Sunscreens made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are mineral-based, so rather than being absorbed like traditional sunscreen, the particles of these ingredients sit on top of the skin and block harmful UV rays. Its very difficult to apply in a thickness that will provide adequate protection, plus, it increases the risk youre sending potentially damaging sunscreen chemicals directly into your lungs (and the lungs of everyone sitting around you.). The FDA has requested additional safety tests when a sunscreen is absorbed above this level. When it comes to sunscreens, here are some of the other worst overall offenders scoring in the Red Zone (10) for major safety concerns. this article was very helpful! We are excited to announce the inclusion of our first, The trouble with ingredients in sunscreens, EWG's methodology for assessing sunscreens, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Best Sunscreens For Kids 2023 - Forbes Vetted Not all products have been tested, so other that I scanned did not yet have a rating. Has anyone included Rocky Mountain Sunscreen in the research? According to one study, benzophenones levels can increase in products over time. Buy it here. Black-Owned Brands. All Cetaphil sunscreens include vitamin E to protect your skin from surface free radicals. Cons. Thats because some studies suggest oxybenzone may alter hormone levels in both animals and humans. Read More $27.96 ON AMAZON. But some did better than others and could be alternatives if you're concerned (see below). We dont know what they do or how long they last in your body, but we do know that they are being absorbed into the bloodstream. The ingredients highlighted by the FDA are avobenzone, octocylene, homosalate, octisalate, octinoxate, and of course, oxybenzone. This request for additional data does not mean that the FDA has concluded that these 12 ingredients are unsafe, says Theresa Michele, M.D., director of the division of nonprescription drug products at the FDA. It does not ask the public to stop using sunscreens that contain any of these ingredients. The rate of new melanoma cases among American adults has tripled since the 1970s. Other sun-smart methods to avoid overexposures are a must. Its fragrance-free formula can work for both the face and body. Image Credit: Nykaa. CETAPHIL DAILY FACIAL MOISTURIZER WITH SUNCREEN SPF 50- octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, titanium dioxid. The group says thickly applying sunscreen coatings, reapplying every time youre out of the water and choosing a better product to begin with are all key. Best for Dark Skin: Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 at Amazon . Sunscreens can break down while still in the bottle. Fast forward to my late 40s when I began to juice for health and drank lots of carrot juice. And its possible for sunscreen users to inhale ingredients in sunscreen sprays and ingest some of the ingredients they apply to their lips, so the ingredients must not be harmful to the lungs or internal organs. Hi Dr Axe, Thank you for your very informative article. What about using Zinc oxide instead of sunscreen? EWG recommends avoiding. Should I be concern about the light coming from the screen of my computer to my face everyday? EWG VERIFIED frees consumers from the same limited sunscreen options every year. This includes toxicity testing for irritation and skin allergies, as well as testing for skin absorption and the potential to cause cancer, disrupt the hormone system and cause harm during reproduction and development. Weve been asking that people use sunscreen on a daily basis all year-round and apply it every few hours during prolonged sun exposure, says Henry Lim, M.D., a dermatologist at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and immediate past president of the American Academy of Dermatology. Im wondering the same. What level of SPF should you use? curious what you think! Dr Axe, please also check out Waxhead sunscreen and other products. What level of SPF should you use? This research has been welcomed by the Cancer Research UK, who warned the public that no sunscreen is effective 100%. The European Commission recently concluded that although there was some evidence of octocrylenes hormone-disrupting potential, current use concentrations up to 10 percent were considered safe. Mineral sunscreens are made with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, usually in the form of nanoparticles. Environmental Working Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, EIN 52-2148600. EWG recommends consumers avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone. You should consider sunscreen your last resort to prevent sunburns, though. Filter by. Download EWG's Healthy Living App . All these factors can impact your skin, but the question of oxybenzone goes much deeper than that. Sunscreens under scrutiny: While the FDA looks into some ingredients Thanks! There have been a lot of worrisome reports recently about the health effects of sunscreens with chemical ingredients such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, substances shown to protect skin from the suns ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause sunburns and skin cancer. About half of the 80 sunscreen lotions, sprays, and sticks in CRs current sunscreen ratingsincluding all of the recommended onescontain oxybenzone. Is Cetaphil Sunscreen Reef Safe? - Food And Life Lover (and you might want to fix that statement it seems to be a key statement) The lotion shields against UVA/UVB rays and serves up antioxidants, according to Dr. Mariwalla. They are all affordable, do not leave white residue and can be found on Amazon: 1. Not to mentionall but natural sunscreens are toxic to the environment. One of the things we worry about is that it could disrupt the endocrine systemit might be a kind of hormone disruptor, says Susan Chon, M.D., professor of dermatology at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. I also love Vanicream lite lotion. CeraVe is atrusted brand for all types of skinbecause its designed with sensitive complexions in mindplus, its products are easy to find in just about any drugstore. Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30, Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Unscented, SPF 30, ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Unscented, SPF 30, ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Orange Blossom, SPF 30, ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Tropical, SPF 30, ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Tropical, SPF 30, Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30, Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Face, Unscented, SPF 30, Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30, ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen Stick, Kids, Face, Unscented, SPF 30, Solara Suncare Clean Freak Nutrient Boosted Daily Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 30, True Botanicals Everyday Skin Tints, SPF 30, Beautycounter Countersun Daily Sheer Defense for Face, SPF 25, Ao Skincare 6000X Elemental Screen, SPF 30, Solara Suncare Time Traveler Ageless Daily Face Sunscreen, Unscented, SPF 30, Solara Suncare Clean Freak Nutrient Boosted Daily Sunscreen, Naturally Scented, SPF 30, Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30, Rejuva Minerals Sheer Daily Wear Face Protection, SPF 16, True Botanicals Skin Barrier Sun Shield, SPF 30, Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70, Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration Sunscreen Clear Spray, SPF 70, COOLA Classic Body Sunscreen Spray, Peach Blossom, SPF 70, Bare Republic Clearscreen Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100, Banana Boat Ultra Defense Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen Lotion Spray, SPF 60, Australian Gold Botanical Natural Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70, Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100, Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100, CVS Health Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100, Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen Spray, Fragrance Free, SPF 70, Banana Boat Kids Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 65, Banana Boat Kids MAX Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100, Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 65, The Seaweed Bath Co. Sport+ Cooling Mist, Peppermint & Aloe, SPF 60, Equate Beauty Ultra Light Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100, Oxybenzone, found to be a troublesome ingredient for many reasons, is on the way out.