What's Lurking in Your Sunscreen?

Summer's here, and when you're heading outdoors, it's important that you slather on the sunscreen to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV. Wearing sunscreen every time you go outside can keep you from ending up lobster red and reduce your risk of developing some forms of skin cancer later in life.

 

image source: sunshineandadaisy.blogspot.com

 

But not all sunscreens are the same. Some of the FDA-approved active ingredients found in sunscreen may be as dangerous as the sun itself! Some concerning chemicals found in many sunscreens include:

 

- Oxybenzone. This chemical causes allergic reactions in many people and has been found to affect the body similarly to estrogen. In animal studies, it's been shown to negatively affect sperm production, and it's been linked to reproductive problems in women.

 

- Octinoxate. Like oxybenzone, this commonly used sunscreen active ingredient has been shown to have hormonal properties that have the potential to cause reproductive health and thyroid concerns.

 

- Homosalate. This ingredient is believed to be safer than the previously mentioned sunscreen ingredients, but it has been shown in lab studies to disrupt estrogen, androgen and progesterone, and it may be toxic when it breaks down in old sunscreen.

 

- Octocrylene. While this ingredient hasn't been shown to be toxic, it has a high potential to cause allergic reactions and has been detected in the milk of nursing mothers.

 

The good news is that it's possible to protect your skin from the sun without exposing yourself to these chemicals. ThinkSport and ThinkBaby sunscreens sold here at Paperless Kitchen use natural minerals to provide ample protection from both types of UV and are nontoxic. You can check them out here.

 

 

 

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