You’ve been told over and over again that if you’re going to step in the sun, you’d better slather on sunscreen first. But before you do, take a close look at the ingredients of your favorite SPF product. Does it read like a laundry list of unpronounceable chemical compounds? If so, you may be exposing your body (and the environment) to potentially unsafe or toxic compounds that can seep into your skin or wash away into the water supply. Below are five questionable chemicals commonly found in sunscreen:
1. Parabens: It’s difficult, although not impossible, to avoid parabens””they’re found in makeup, moisturizer, shaving cream, sunscreen and so much more. Usually listed as methylparaben, butylparaben or propylparaben, these potentially hazardous compounds can mimic estrogen and act as an endocrine disrupter.
2. Diazalidonyl Urea: This chemical preservative may cause skin irritations in some individuals and may also release formaldehyde.
3. Propylene Glycol: A major component of antifreeze, you’ll also find propylene glycol in many personal care products, from toothpaste to sunscreen. This hazardous substance may be irritating to the skin and can be very harmful when ingested by humans or animals.
4. Octinoxate: This chemical is included in sunscreen formulas due to its ability to absorb UV-B rays and prevent them from penetrating your skin. Unfortunately, octinoxate may be linked to skin irritations, endocrine disruption and poor cellular health.
5. Oxybenzone: The Centers for Disease Control recently reported that 97% of Americans are contaminated with this common sunscreen ingredient, which may be linked to skin irritations, hormone disruption and low birth weight.