Chemical blockers such
as oxybenzone absorb the rays and get rid of the extra energy in harmless ways.
In Mexico, «eco-parks» forbid the use
of oxybenzone - containing sunscreens.
Sunscreen ingredients
like Oxybenzone = endocrine disruptors that inhibit correct hormone formation.
The chemical's safety is studied «every weekend in the summer, when tens of millions of Americans are using sunscreen
with oxybenzone without any problems,» Dr. Rigel says.
Chemical sunscreens use one or more chemicals
including oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.
Just a quick search on the Environmental Working Group will show you that Aquaphor contains a level 8 chemical additive called
oxybenzone which has a long list of potential risks.
To to the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide I'd assume — most conventional sunscreens
use oxybenzone or avobenzone as the active ingredients.
The two chemicals of interest —
called oxybenzone and octinoxate — have been shown to leach coral of its nutrients and also create challenges for fish and other sea creatures like sea urchins and algae.
«This is the first real chance that local reefs have to recover,» said Craig Downs, a scientist whose 2015 peer - reviewed study
found oxybenzone was a threat to coral reefs.
«Lots of things kill coral reefs, but we
know oxybenzone prevents them from coming back.»
While oxybenzone and octinoxate are prevalent in most sunscreens, there are alternative products that use safer ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide.
The company «will continue to ensure we comply with all relevant regulations
concerning oxybenzone and octinoxate.»
To make your search easier, though, we've rounded up a
few oxybenzone - free products that have received a 1 or 2 ranking, rated the lowest risk by the EWG.
This is especially alarming
since oxybenzone is considered an endocrine disruptor, can reduce sperm count in men and may contribute to endometriosis in women.
Between oxybenzone, octy - methoxycinnamate and homosalate, to name a few, most sunscreens contain enough hormone altering chemicals to equal daily hormonal therapy for menopausal women.
Oxybenzone causes toxicity to sperm development and sperm viability, reduced prostate weight in mature males, and reduced uterine weight in juvenile females.»
Water samples taken at Hanauma Bay by ecotoxicologist Craig Downs in November 2017 found an
average oxybenzone concentration of 4,661 nanograms / liter of seawater, with the highest measurement around 29,000 nanograms / liter.
If you look at the label of most sunscreens, you'll
see oxybenzone listed as an active ingredient.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends
avoiding oxybenzone because it is suspected of altering hormonal systems.
Goddess Garden and Raw Elements are two options that will keep you covered without harsh chemicals
like Oxybenzone and Retinyl palmitate that could throw off your system and aren't great for the planet, either.
This bill prohibits the use of sunscreen products
with Oxybenzone and Octinoxate.
The Skin Cancer Foundation cites the FDA's approved list of active sunscreen ingredients, which
includes Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide and others.
Most conventional sunscreens are loaded with chemical sunscreen ingredients such
as oxybenzone and avobenzone which can potentially be toxic.
The EWG's most recent report listed Neutrogena as the # 1 sunscreen brand to avoid, citing high concentrations
of oxybenzone and other hormone disrupting chemicals, and misleading claims about their SPF levels.
If you're going someplace tropical and plan to spend any time in the water, be sure to pack a nontoxic sunscreen made
without oxybenzone.
The EWG warns against
using oxybenzone, especially on children or pregnant / breastfeeding women.
The state's legislature passed a bill Tuesday outlawing the sale of two particular chemicals —
oxybenzone and octinoxate — found in many sunscreens, according to BuzzFeed.
State lawmakers passed a measure this week that would ban the sale of sunscreens containing
oxybenzone and octinoxate by 2021 in an effort to protect coral reefs.
Scientific research has shown that
both oxybenzone and octinoxate destroy coral by absorbing its nutrients, affecting coral - dependent marine life like sea urchins and algae.
EWG said those worrisome products can include
oxybenzone, which is known to be a hormone disruptor, and retinyl palminate, a form of vitamin A that EWG says can sometimes actually heighten sensitivity to the sun.
hint ® also recently launched a sunscreen spray that is
oxybenzone and paraben - free and scented with hint fruit essence.
Of these sunscreen ingredients, the ones that may concern some parents include retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) and
oxybenzone.
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, for example, lists five active ingredients, including Avobenzone (UVA only), Homosalate (UVB only), Octisalate (UVB only), Octocrylene (UVB only), and
Oxybenzone (UVA and UVB).
Most chemical sunscreens contain the toxic chemical
Oxybenzone, and endocrine disrupter which can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
David Andrews, a senior scientist with the group, says that it is the inactive ingredients such as retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) and
oxybenzone that people should really watch out for.
It is also free of biologically harmful chemicals and does not contain Avobenzone,
Oxybenzone, or UV Chemical absorbers.
Our products are formulated without: parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium methyl sulfate, propylene glycol, aluminum, mineral oil, petrolatum,
oxybenzone, nano - particles, DEA, MEA or TEA, PEGs and PEG derivatives, ethoxylated ingredients associated with 1,4 dioxane, formaldehyde donors, or GMOs.
Expectant mothers definitely want to dump any sunscreen that includes
oxybenzone, as it has been connected to low birth weight in female newborns.
Many sunscreens include compounds like
oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.
In addition to being linked to the damage of cells, hormone disruption, and possible allergies,
oxybenzone is simply too risky for mom and unborn baby.
Get this: it's free of parabens, artificial fragrances, phthalates, PABA,
oxybenzone, and more.
According to EWG's research, 22 percent of all personal care products on store shelves today — including children's products — may contain a cancer - causing ingredient (1,4 - Dioxane), while some 60 percent of sunscreens contain
oxybenzone, a potential hormone disruptor.
According to the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are two major types of sunscreens available in the U.S. «Chemical» sunscreens, the more common kind, penetrate the skin and may disrupt the body's endocrine system, as their active ingredients (e.g., octylmethylcinnamate,
oxybenzone, avobenzone, benzophone, mexoryl, PABA or PARSOL 1789) mimic the body's natural hormones and as such can essentially confuse the body's systems.
These SPF formulas do not contain
oxybenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient believed to contribute to coral bleaching in Hawaii and the Caribbean.
Unfortunately, a TON of common sunscreens contain
oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Although many sunscreen products contain
oxybenzone — including face and body sunscreens as well as some SPF - infused moisturizers and lip balms — there are still plenty of options out there that are free of the controversial ingredient.