How To Choose Safe Sunscreen

What to look for…

After using Beautycounter sunscreen exclusively for the past 8 or so years I found myself on a mission to find a replacement. I always opt for a mineral based sunscreen but it can be hard to find one that isn’t drying and that doesn’t leave a white cast. I will explain what to look for and then share my favorites.

What to consider when choosing a sunscreen:

When searching for safe sunscreens the EWG Skin Deep data base is a great place to start. Avoid aerosol sprays as they are terrible for your lungs and the environment. Instead, opt for air powered sprays. Other ingredients to avoid are oxybenzone, avobenzone, parabens, octinoxate, SLS/SLES, and fragrance. Always choose a mineral based sunscreen over a chemical base. Look for non nano zinc oxide. Myth buster…higher SPF does not equal better. It just means you are exposing yourself to more chemicals. This article discusses the problems with high SPF.

“High SPF products require higher concentrations of sun-filtering chemicals than low SPF sunscreens do. Some of these ingredients may pose health risks when they penetrate the skin and have been linked to tissue damage and potential hormone disruption. Some may trigger allergic skin reactions.

If studies showed that high SPF products were better at reducing skin damage and skin cancer risk, the extra chemical exposure might be justified. But they don’t. So it’s prudent to choose sunscreens with lower concentrations of active ingredients, for example SPF 30 instead of SPF 70.

The FDA has long contended that SPF higher than 50 is “inherently misleading.” SPF values are limited to 50+ in most countries. In 2011, the FDA proposed prohibiting labels higher than SPF 50+.”

This is why you will see most EWG verified sunscreens have an SPF 30. The most important way to protect your skin is to reapply every 2 hours and wear hats and sun protective clothing.