"97% of Americans have Oxybenzone — a hormone-disrupting sunscreen chemical — detectable in their bloodstream."

Such are the concerns surrounding toxic sunscreen ingredients — a topic that keeps us at Suntribe on our toes! Navigating the world of sunscreen can be as complex as decoding a secret language. Ever found yourself wondering which sunscreen ingredients to avoid? Luckily, we have crafted a straightforward and practical guide to unravel toxic sunscreen ingredients and help you confidently select a sunscreen that is as safe as it is effective.

The science is increasingly hard to ignore:

⇒ They're widespread and largely unregulated — 63% of ingredients in the most popular sunscreens in Europe are classified as dangerous for human health and/or the environment.

⇒ They interfere with your hormones — Conventional sunscreens contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can throw your hormonal system off balance, and have even been linked to infertility in men.

⇒ They enter your body — Certain chemical UV filters have been shown to cause decreased birth weight and are detectable in the bloodstream and urine — meaning they don't just sit on your skin.

⇒ They pass to your children — Chemical UV filters have been found in breast milk and linked to Hirschsprung's disease, a serious digestive birth defect.

In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration, which governs sunscreen safety, proposed its most recent update to sunscreen regulations. It was found that only two UV filters were classified as safe and effective. This is based on information currently available and revealed Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to be the safest options. Most of the other conventional sunscreen ingredients were proposed as not generally safe and effective, some due to insufficient data and some due to highly concerning study results.

To help you detect harmful ingredients in sunscreen and skin care products, we’ve compiled an overview of toxic sunscreen ingredients here.

The list below is in the order of their toxicity ranking according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The ingredients listed have also been found to exceed the safety thresholds of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For reference, Zinc Oxide reaches an EWG safety rating of 1 (when used in creams) to 3 (when used in spray or powder sunscreens). A safety rating of 1 is the best possible, whereas 10 is the worst possible. Due to their high toxicity, the following high-risk chemical UV filters have already been banned in 8 countries and regions around the globe.

For reference, Zinc Oxide reaches an EWG safety rating of 1 (when used in creams) to 3 (when used in spray or powder sunscreens). A safety rating of 1 is the best possible, whereas 10 is the worst possible. Due to their high toxicity, the following high-risk chemical UV filters have already been banned in 8 countries and regions around the globe.

The ingredients below carry a moderate level of concern — they're not the most alarming on our list, but there's enough evidence of hormonal disruption, skin sensitivity, and environmental harm to warrant a closer look at your label.

These ingredients sit at the lower end of our concern scale — but "low risk" doesn't mean risk-free. The issues here are more indirect: stability problems, ecotoxins, and a tendency to be formulated alongside more problematic filters.

Besides harmful active sunscreen ingredients, some inactive ingredients are not yet restricted, even though they bear significant risks to public health. Here, you can find a list of inactive sunscreen ingredients, and you should make sure that they don't appear on the list of components of the products you use!

Thankfully, many countries have taken action and banned several of these toxic sunscreen ingredients by now. Hawaii and Palau have banned the most harmful UV filters to save coral reefs. Various national parks in Mexico have also banned high-risk active ingredients to preserve their environment. So far, eight destinations worldwide have banned toxic sunscreen ingredients.

Generally speaking, mineral sunscreens are much healthier and bear no risk to human health or the planet's well-being when formulated with the right ingredients. They also offer additional benefits, such as protecting you from the moment of application.

Mineral and chemical sunscreens work in very different ways. Chemical sunscreens reply on UV-filters such as Oxybenzone or Avbenzone and penetrate your skin and bloodstream. Many people are unaware that chemical sunscreens need to be applied before being exposed to the sun. They take 20-30 minutes to work since they have to penetrate your skin. Chemical sunscreens need to change the characteristics of your cells from within to protect you from the sun.

Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, act as a shield on top of your skin and reflect sun rays. They protect you from the first moment of application, which is worth a lot when, for example, you're at the beach with your kids, who are eager to run into the water! Plus, mineral sunscreens tend to be much less skin-irritating as they usually contain more natural ingredients. This makes them suitable for sensitive skin, allergies and babies.

⇒ They work differently — and more completely — Mineral sunscreens physically reflect UV rays rather than absorbing them, giving you broader, more reliable protection across both UVB and UVA spectrums.

⇒ Fewer ingredients, less to worry about — Mineral formulas tend to be simpler and cleaner, which means fewer potential irritants, allergens, and unknowns sitting on your skin all day.

⇒ Better for the ocean, not just you — When formulated with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide or Non-Nano Titanium Dioxide, mineral sunscreens won't dissolve into the water and damage coral reefs — making them the most environmentally responsible choice currently available.

⇒ The "ghost face" era is over — Modern mineral sunscreens blend seamlessly into all skin tones, with many formulas going on completely transparent. No white cast, no compromise.

Now that you know what to avoid, here's what to look for. These three tips will help you cut through the noise and pick a safe sunscreen.

We hope this makes it easier for you to find a worry-free sunscreen for you and the planet. By taking these tips as a guideline and being aware of potentially toxic ingredients, you can choose a safe sunscreen for you and nature!

Should you come across any more specific questions on the topic, you’re always welcome to reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to give you a hand in finding the perfect sunscreen for you.