Avoid sunscreens containing Oxybenzone
Thursday, 10 April 2008
One of the key reasons I’m uncomfortable with using chemical sunscreens is because studies at all levels have proven that chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin, get into the bloodstream and are harmful to the body. As a matter of fact, a widely-used sunscreen ingredient called Oxybenzone, also known as Benzophenone-3, has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage with a new study recently published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to back it up.
According to this analysis from Environmental Working Group (EWG), findings of the CDC study indicate that Oxybenzone reacts negatively with sun exposure and have negative impacts on our bodies such as:
- triggering possible allergic reactions by sun exposure.
- forming free radical chemicals that may be linked to cell damage.
- disrupting the hormone system.
- absorbing through the skin in significant amounts.
- accumulating in the fatty tissues in the body for many days.
- helping other chemicals penetrate the skin.
A companion study released a day earlier also revealed that mothers with high levels of Oxybenzone in their bodies were more likely to give birth to underweight baby girls. And what’s also alarming is on top of the many sunscreen products in the market that contain this harmful ingredient, companies also use the toxic chemical in other personal care products, including lip balm, lipstick, moisturizers and fragrance for women.
I know many have criticized EWG as a scare mongrel, but I’m in support of their stance especially since they’ve always back their analysis with studies as in this case. Moreover, just think about the amount of sunscreen you have to slap on just to get adequate protection and think about how much toxins you’re subjecting yourselves to in the longer term if yours contain Oxybenzone.
So gals, let’s do ourselves a favor. Read the ingredient list of your sunscreens and for the matter, all your personal skincare products and look out for Oxybenzone to avoid. Afterall, we do have plenty of safer choices.
For a safe list of sunscreens, look up Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database.
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Posted in Sun Protection | 11 Comments »
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December 12th, 2008 at 11:21 am
An alternative view: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/bulletin/103008-full.htm
Eveline: Thanks for the link. I’ve read Paula’s views before but I don’t really agree on some of them though.
March 16th, 2009 at 3:43 am
I agree with Paula Begoun, also I dont agree so much with avoiding avobenzone+physical filter. There inst enough independent proofs
David: Well, I think it’s a personal choice. There are so many ingredients to protect ourselves against UV damage and I don’t see why I need to use something that has bad press. But to someone else with high threshold for risk, then they wouldn’t mind since like you said, it is not definitive.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I have just purchased a product containing oxybenzone to help with thread viens and un even skin. It is for you legs but I’ve have been putting it on my face? Is this wrong? Should I stop altogether?
Not feeling too good now
sesame Reply:
May 20th, 2009 at 8:38 am
It is not wrong; just that you want to be more aware of what is said about the ingredient. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid everything so it also depends on your threshold. I suggest you go through some of the sources I’ve cited in my entry and if you don’t feel good, then just keep the product on your legs.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:21 am
Just found your site while I was doing some research on the toxic chemicals in sunscreens. This blog is great! You have some really useful information. I personally do not use commercial sunscreens and have not used them for years. I use Badger natural sunscreen or UV Naturals (no chemicals!.)
sesame Reply:
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:17 am
I’ve tried Badger and am using UV Natural currently. Both are great but their texture is too much for my face so I use UV Natural for my body. Badger leaves a whitecast for me so am not using it.
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Avon is using Oxybenzone in their Anew lipcolor line. I find it amusing — and alarming — that they are adding it to a lipstick promoted to reduce wrinkling and to create more youthful lips. This ingredient may block the sun’s rays, but what is the use when it allows free radicals to enter the body, which are largely to blame for signs of aging to begin with? Talk about irony…
June 24th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I have noticed that products containing oxybenzone have given me an allergic reaction. I also noted that it was made worse by sunlight.
sesame Reply:
June 25th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Your skin might be sensitive. You might want to switch to mineral/physical sunscreen.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 am
so what’s a good one that won’t break me the hell out. What’s the point of wearing anything at all if one gives you wrinkles or the other gives you zits?
sesame Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 am
It depends on your skin type. Check out my current post on some the best sunscreens rated by EWG. Maybe you’ll find something there for your skin type.