There’s a lot of confusion around sunscreen lately, with some taking to TikTok to declare that it’s safer to go without sunscreen and expose your skin to direct sunlight than it is to wear sunscreen. The culprit, it seems, is specific ingredients that are present in some chemical sunscreens and that may contribute to health issues. The solution should never be to forego sunscreen completely, according to dermatologists — doing so puts you at risk for skin cancer. Wearing a physical sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection using ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium can be your alternative method — and it’s important to note there is still ongoing research that needs to be done when it comes to the safety of chemical sunscreens — we can’t say they should not be used. The research isn’t there yet.
So while the jury is still out on whether all chemical sunscreens that contain the following ingredients are safe for all skin types, if you want to play it the safest way possible, you may want to read labels and check for these four ingredients that some experts say can be dangerous — one may even increase your risk of skin cancer.
Octocrylene
Considered generally safe in moderate amounts, there has been some research that found octocrylene can break down into potentially harmful compounds when exposed to sunlight. Some research suggests it might have irritating effects on the skin, as well. If you’ve tried using chemical sunscreens in the past, only to find they leave your skin red and irritated, this ingredient may be a contributing factor.
Homosalate
Homosalate is worrisome to some because it may have potential hormone-disrupting effects. Homosalate is also a known irritant that may cause your skin to become red, itchy, and dry. Its safety is currently under review.
Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)
This is another ingredient that is under fire as a potential hormone disruptor, but its reputation extends to how it may negatively impact the environment. It has been banned in some places like Hawaii, Thailand, and the Virgin Islands for the way it can harm marine life, including coral reef.
Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
When you think about sunscreen ingredients that are potentially harmful to your health and environment, oxybenzone may be the one that receives most of the bad press. It is known as a hormone disruptor and has been linked to allergic reactions. Although this needs much more research, there is some proof that it generates free radicals when exposed to sunlight, which could put your skin at greater risk of skin cancer. It is also banned in some places because it poses a risk to marine life, like coral reef.
One final note: dermatologists and doctors are in agreement that it’s important to wear sunscreen each day. If the ingredients in chemical sunscreen leave you worried about the potential risks, switch to a physical sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. But going without sunscreen is not something that experts recommend.
