Why You Should be Concerned About the Chemicals in Your Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a product many of us use, some even daily in our cosmetics and not just when we head for the beach. You may have heard, in recent years, of sunscreens’ negative effect on coral reef habitats, which not only affects the reef itself but also the species that live within it. Beaches with coral reef habitats have begun to ban the use of sunscreens that contain harmful chemicals. These chemicals not only affect wildlife but also human beings.

Sunscreen is still very beneficial, but it is important to be aware of what you are buying and select a sunscreen that both protects the skin and does not harm the body or the planet. To learn more about the benefits of sun exposure on the skin, check out our article on the Risks and Benefits of Sun Exposure.

Conventional sunscreen contains between two to eight UV filters. They often contain multiple phenols, such as azobenzene, benzophenone -3, and parabens. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which act in sunscreen as nanoparticle UV filters, are also very common (Wolff, M.S., et al., 2017).

What is SPF — Sun Protective Factor

Many people are mistaken about the meaning of SPF. Sun Protective Factor, and its varying numbers, is not an indication of how long you are protected from UV rays…