The ingredients commonly found in sunscreens can be categorized into chemical and mineral (or physical) sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens contain organic compounds that absorb and neutralize the heat generated by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the skin. Some common chemical sunscreen ingredients are avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene
. On the other hand, mineral sunscreens, also known as sunblock, contain the active ingredients titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which protect the skin by deflecting and scattering UV rays
. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), only two ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, have been classified as safe and effective by the FDA, while several other chemical sunscreen ingredients have been proposed as not generally recognized as safe and effective
. The FDA has approved 17 ingredients for use in sunscreen, including oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, and several more are under FDA consideration
. Some of the common chemical ingredients to avoid in sunscreens, as per Stream2Sea, include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate, among others
. These ingredients have been associated with various concerns such as skin penetration, hormone disruption, and environmental hazards. In summary, when choosing a sunscreen, it's important to consider the active ingredients and their potential impact on both personal health and the environment. Mineral sunscreens with ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally considered safer, while some chemical sunscreen ingredients have raised concerns about their safety and environmental impact.
