Sunscreen Guide
During summer months especially, many people are more thoughtful about sun protection. The conversation and research on sunscreen -- what the safest sunscreens are to use, and what are the environmental impacts of sunscreen are – is becoming more widespread. I went through some of the top non-toxic sunscreens to give my feedback on all, starting with my favorite which is Badger:
SPF: 40
Area: Face & Body
Cost: Badger - $17.99/2.9oz = $6.20/oz.
Thrive - $14.49/2.9oz = $4.99/oz.
Amazon - $15.29/2.9oz = $5.27/oz.
Sustainability: Reef-friendly, Protect Land + Sea Certified, Certified B Corporation, 50% Recycled Package – made with solar power
User Questions:
- Is it easy to take off? Yes, with Aleavia soap
- Is it easy to rub on? Yes
- Does it stay white? No
Considerations: Water-resistant for 80 minutes, Unscented, only 4 ingredients
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 22.5%, uncoated
Inactive Ingredients: Organic Sunflower oil, Organic beeswax, Sunflower Vitamin E
- No concerns on these ingredients
Name: BABO BOTANICALS BABY SKIN MINERAL SUNSCREEN
SPF: 50
Area: Face & Body
Cost: Babo Botanicals $17.50/3oz = $5.83/oz.
Thrive - $15.49/3oz = $5.16/oz.
Amazon - $16.44 = $5.48/oz.
Sustainability: Certified B Corporation
User Questions:
- Is it easy to take off? Yes
- Is it easy to rub on? Yes
- Does it stay white? No
Considerations: Water-resistant (80 minutes), EWG Verified, Fragrance-Free. Multiple ingredients that need further research before I feel comfortable recommending. Safe for babies over 6 months of age
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%, non-nano
Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil^, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil^, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil^, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter^, Cetearyl Alcohol^, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate^, Microcrystalline Cellulose^, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*^, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*^, Nasturtium Officinale (Watercress) Flower/Leaf Extract*^, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Flower Extract*^, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*^, Bisabolol*^, Tocopherol^, Cetyl Alcohol^, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Glucoside^, Behenyl Alcohol^, Arachidyl Glucoside^, Arachidyl Alcohol^, Polyhydroxystearic Acid^, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate^, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin^, Caprylhydroxamic Acid^, Cellulose Gum^. Key: *CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS ^PLANT-BASED INGREDIENTS
Arachidyl Glucoside – found to be a cosmetic allergen
- See reference #5 below
Cetearyl Alcohol – found to cause allergic contact dermatitis in a small study
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate – case study of one patient found to cause allergic contact dermatitis
- See reference #7 below
Caprylyl Glycol – over a 19 year period, found 30 cases of allergic contact dermatitis.
- See reference #8 below
Name: EARTH MAMA BABY MINERAL SUNSCREEN LOTION
SPF: 40
Area: Face & Body
Cost: Earth Mama - $14.99/3oz = $5.00/oz.
Thrive – N/A.
Amazon - $14.99/3oz = $5.00/oz
Sustainability: Reef-friendly, Certified Plastic Neutral Product
User Questions:
- Is it easy to take off? It can be hard as it is thick.
- Is it easy to rub on? Yes
- Does it stay white? No
Considerations: Difficult to get out of bottle due to thick formulation
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, non-nano 25%
Inactive Ingredients: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Fractionated Coconut) Oil*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Rubus Idaeus (Red Raspberry) Seed Oil*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Tocopherol, Calendula Officinalis Flower (Calendula) Flower Extract* *Organic
No concerns on these ingredients
Name: RAW ELEMENTS BABY & KIDS
SPF: 30
Area: Face & Body
Cost: 17.99/3oz = $5.99/oz.
Sustainability: Reef-safe, Biodegradable, Recyclable/reusable tin, Compostable merchandising box
User Questions:
- Is it easy to take off? Yes
- Is it easy to rub on? Yes
- Does it stay white? No
Considerations: Doesn’t sting/run into eyes, safe for babies 6m+
Active Ingredients: 25% Zinc Oxide, non-nano
Inactive Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Organic Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (Organic Beeswax), Cocos Nucifera (Organic Coconut) Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Calendula Officinalis (Organic Calendula) Flower Extract, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Organic Chamomile), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Natural Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol (Natural Sunflower Vitamin E)
No concerns on these ingredients.
Name: OLITA MINERAL SUNSCREEN
SPF: 30
Area: Face, Body
Cost: Olita - $18/3oz = $6/oz.
Amazon - $15.99/oz = $5.33/oz.
Sustainability: Reef-friendly
User Questions:
- Is it easy to take off? Yes
- Is it easy to rub on? Yes
- Does it stay white? Yes
Considerations: Water-resistant for 80 minutes, Fragrance-free, All Certified Organic Ingredients.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%, non-nano
Inactive Ingredients: Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic beeswax, Organic Castor Seed Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Tocopherol
No concerns on these ingredients.
Name: PIPETTE MINERAL SUNSCREEN
SPF: 50
Area: Face & Body
Cost: Pipette (sold out) - $13.50/4oz = $3.37/oz.
Thrive (sold out) - $13.49/4oz = $3.37/oz.
Amazon - $24.88/4oz = $6.22/oz.
Sustainability: Responsible, minimal packaging and carbon neutral shipping
User Questions:
- Is it easy to take off? Yes
- Is it easy to rub on? Yes
- Does it stay white? No
Considerations: Safe for babies, noncomedogenic, Leaping Bunny Certified, Difficult to find online – try local stores. Reef-friendly. I do like this but I always prefer to use products with fewer ingredients.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20%, non-nano
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Palmitate, Coco-Glucoside, Ethyl Ferulate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Lecithin, Bisabolol, Physalis Angulata (Wild Gooseberry) Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isostearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol
Acacia Senegal Gum – no concerns per research topically
Name: SUPERGOOP MINERAL MATTE SUNSCREEN
SPF: 40
Area: Face
Cost: Supergoop $38/1.5oz = $25.33/oz.
Amazon - $38/1.5oz = $25.33/oz.
Sustainability: Not reef-friendly due to Active ingredients on the “HEL list” (contains Zinc Oxide nanoparticles)
Considerations: More ingredients than other brands. Multiple ingredients that need further research before I feel comfortable recommending.
User Questions:
- Is it easy to take off? Yes
- Is it easy to rub on? Yes
- Does it stay white? No
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 1.33% , Zinc Oxide 17.42%
Titanium Dioxide – “Regular supply of TiO2 NPs at small doses can affect the intestinal mucosa, the brain, the heart and other intestinal organs, which can lead to an increased risk of developing many diseases, tumours or progress of existing cancer progresses. The mechanism behind the nanotoxicity of NPs has not been discovered yet. Many studies attribute to oxidative stress, thus nanotoxicity is still an important area for future exploration”.
- See reference #1 below
Inactive Ingredients: Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, C9-12 Alkane, Glycerin, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Ethylhexylglycerin, Water (Aqua), Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Silica, Stearic Acid, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Lactobacillus/Arundinaria Gigantea Leaf Ferment Filtrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Dimethicone - no concerns per PubMed research (same as above)
Ethylhexylglycerin – commonly considered a contact allergen. Small study of 13 patients from 1990-2015 – dermatitis of face and sometimes on the hands and/or axillae.
- See reference #2 below
CL 77499 – per my research, “Only synthetically made CI 77499 is considered safe in cosmetics by the U.S. FDA since when naturally obtained, CI 77499 and the other iron oxides may be contaminated with heavy metals.”
Name: SUNTEGRITY MOISTURIZING MINERAL FACE SUNSCREEN & PRIMER
SPF: 30
Area: Face
Cost: Amazon - $45.00 = $26.47/oz.
Sustainability:
- Refillable: Yes
- Reef Friendly: No
User Questions:
- Is it easy to take off? Yes
- Is it easy to rub on? Yes
- Does it stay white? No
Considerations: Functions as a face moisturizer, sunscreen and make-up primer all in one but more ingredients than other sunscreens reviewed.
Active Ingredients: Zinc-Oxide 20%, non-nano
Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride+, Water (Aqua), Glycerin+, Hydrogenated Castor Oil+, Sorbitan Sesquioleate+, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate+, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract*, Astaxanthin+, Hyaluronic Acid+, Chlorella Emersonii (Red Algae) Extract+, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Dimethicone, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Essential Oil*, Citrus Reticulata Blanco (Tangerine) Essential Oil*, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (less than 0.1% per EU restrictions), Ethylhexylglycerin.
*Certified Organic + Natural or Naturally-derived ingredients
Dimethicone – no concerns per PubMed research
Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Essential Oil* - no concerns per PubMed research
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (less than 0.1% per EU restrictions) - The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reviewed the safety of Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, which is a preservative in cosmetic products, and concluded that the data is insufficient to determine the safety in products that may be accidentally inhaled. Otherwise, it is safe at a low concentration and when formulated to be nonirritating and non-sensitizing.
- See reference #4 below
Ethylhexylglycerin - commonly considered a contact allergen. Small study of 13 patients from 1990-2015 – dermatitis of face and sometimes on the hands and/or axillae.
- See reference #2 below
I prefer mineral sunscreens, which sit on top of the skin to protect and filter out UV rays (versus chemical sunscreens which absorb into the skin). Mineral sunscreens typically include titanium dioxide or zinc oxide and are broad-spectrum, providing protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Because mineral sunscreens work by creating a protective barrier between the skin and UV rays, it works pretty much immediately upon application, but can also leave a white film on the skin. I always look for sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. And I am always careful to avoid ingredients such as added fragrances, chemicals, and dyes. Of note, AAP recommends keeping babies under 6 months old out of the sun with loose-fitting clothes that cover all of the skin). See notes on what sunscreens were found to be safe for babies 6 months of age and older.
Over-the-counter sunscreens are regulated by the FDA under the Sunscreen Innovation Act. In the recent FDA proposed rule, 2 active ingredients (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) were found to be generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE), while 12 active ingredients (cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, oxybenzone, and avobenzone) had insufficient data and therefore, more data has been requested from the sunscreen manufacturers.
Studies have shown that sunscreen chemicals can be absorbed systemically and sometimes even at levels above the FDA-established threshold. Another study, found that the blood concentration of some of these sunscreen chemicals continued to rise as daily use continued.
From an environmental perspective, studies also indicated that sunscreens play a role in damaging our coral reefs. Recently, Hawaii as well as the only living coral reef in North America: Key West, Florida, have banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate because they cause coral bleaching and are dangerous to marine ecosystems.
To keep our oceans healthy, the key is to find a sunscreen with the active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as they provide a physical block to protect the skin from absorbing any rays (whereas chemical sunscreen absorbs UV rays, turns the rays into heat, then releases them from the skin). There is also still further research being done about the concern about nanoparticles in sunscreen, particularly zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. When purchasing sunscreen, you can also make sure your sunscreen doesn’t include any harmful ingredients listed on the HEL list.
REFERENCES:
1. Baranowska-Wojik E, Szwajgier D, Oleszczuk P, Winiarska-Mieczan A. Effects of Titanium Dioxide anoparticles on Human Health -a Review. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2020 Jan;193(1):118-129. Doi: 10.1007/s12011-019-01706-6. Epub 2019 Apr 13. PMID: 30982201; PMCID: PMC6914717.
2. Aerts O, Verhulst L, Goossens A. Ethylhexyglycerin: a low-risk, but highly relevant, sensitizer in ‘hypo-allergenic’ cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis. 2016 May;74(5):281-8. Doi: 10/1111/cod.12546. Epub 2016 Feb 15. PMID: 26876063
3. https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/inci-ingredients/ci-77499
4. Johnson W Jr, Boyer I, Zhu J, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, Marks JG Jr, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW, Heldreth B. Safety Assessment of Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (Polyhexxamethylene Biguanide Hydochloride) as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol: 2020 Nov/Dec;39(3_suppl):26S-73S. doi: 10.1177/1091581820958683. PMID: 33203268.
5. Boucneau F, Goossens A, Huygens S, Gilissen L. Arachidyl glucoside: Another cosmetic allergen. Contact Dermatitis. 2018 Nov;79(5):321-323. doi: 10.1111/cod.13077. Epub 2018 Jul 16. PMID: 30009453.
6. Carbo MA, Rodríguez-Serna M, Taberner-Bonastre P, Miquel-Miquel J. Allergic contact dermatitis from cetearyl alcohol in Thrombocid® ointment. Dermatol Online J. 2016 Jul 15;22(7):13030/qt8ht9300r. PMID: 27617733.
7. Pralong P, Dendooven E, Aerts O. Sodium stearoyl glutamate: Another amino acid alkyl amide sensitizer in cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis. 2022 Nov;87(5):453-454. doi: 10.1111/cod.14184. Epub 2022 Jul 20. PMID: 35808936; PMCID: PMC9796517
8. Kreeshan FC, Williams JDL. Allergic contact dermatitis to caprylyl glycol: A novel "para-preservative" allergen. Contact Dermatitis. 2020 Nov;83(5):418-419. doi: 10.1111/cod.13628. Epub 2020 Jun 29. PMID: 32468581.
9. Song U, Kim J. Assessment of the potential risk of 1,2-hexanediol using phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity testing. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2020 Sep 15;201:110796. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110796. Epub 2020 Jun 3. PMID: 32505050.
10. Severin RK, Belsito DV. Patch Testing with Decyl and Lauryl Glucoside: How Well Does One Screen for Contact Allergic Reactions to the Other? Dermatitis. 2017 Nov/Dec;28(6):342-345. doi: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000327. PMID: 29064883.
11. Fiume MM, Heldreth B, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler D, Marks JG Jr, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW, Andersen FA. Safety assessment of decyl glucoside and other alkyl glucosides as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2013 Sep-Oct;32(5 Suppl):22S-48S. doi: 10.1177/1091581813497764. PMID: 24174472.
Song - rSong U, Kim J. Assessment of the potential risk of 1,2-hexanediol using phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity testing. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2020 Sep 15;201:110796. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110796. Epub 2020 Jun 3. PMID: 32505050.