The U.S. is behind on sunscreen safety.

Here’s what I use.

Photo by Marita Mones on Unsplash

Last summer, when we were traveling in Europe, I grabbed a sunscreen off the shelf at a local pharmacy. It went on smooth, clear, and didn’t contain any of the chemical ingredients we regularly see in U.S. formulas. I was impressed… and also a little frustrated. Most of those options aren’t available here.

The U.S. is behind on sunscreen safety. The FDA has approved only a handful of active sunscreen ingredients. In contrast, the EU allows over 20, and many of theirs don’t carry the same safety concerns.

Sunscreens generally fall into two categories: chemical and mineral (physical).

Chemical sunscreens in the US contain ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, homosalate, octocrylene, and avobenzone. Some of these have been linked to hormone disruption, skin irritation, and damage to marine ecosystems. 🐠

The TOP 4 ingredients I avoid when choosing a sunscreen. The ones research shows are endocrine disruptors with potential health risks:

🚫 Oxybenzone

🚫 Octinoxate

🚫 Octisalate

🚫 Homosalate

* Octocrylene and avobenzone have less data showing that they may be harmful (or safe). In a pinch, I am fine using octocrylene and avobenzone personally. For babies and children, I would avoid until we know more.

Until we have more options here in the US, I stick with mineral sunscreens made with non-nano zinc oxide. They’re effective, reef-safe, and gentle on the skin.

Yes, zinc sunscreens used to leave a white cast, but today’s formulas are far more wearable and blend more easily into the skin.

🧴 My go-to body sunscreens:

• ThinkSport

• Suntegrity

• Babo Botanicals

• California Baby (one of the OG safe sunscreens! I used this when my daughters were babies… and they are turning 17 this summer 😳)

• BeautyCounter (a past favorite, but I haven't tried their new products since the company closed and then relaunched. It will likely be great since the founder bought back the company.)

🌞 For daily facial SPF with added skincare benefits:

• Suntegrity

• Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

• Saie Slip Tint (my teen daughter gave me this one and I love it!)

Here's a cheat sheet to help you when shopping for sunscreen:

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