You’ve probably heard the news: The chemicals used in sunscreen can seep into your bloodstream, according to a recent study released by the Food and Drug Administration. The main four chemicals used in a majority of sunscreens — avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule — were found in the bloodstreams of 24 participants observed in the study after one day of use.
While this definitely doesn’t mean you should stop wearing sunscreen, you may want to consider switching to more natural sunscreens (that are free of those particular chemicals) while the FDA continues to do more research. Aside from potentially being harmful to our bodies, these chemicals are also damaging to coral reefs and sea life. In fact, Key West, Florida, and Hawaii have already started the movement to completely ban sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate (another questionable chemical that has been found to contribute to bleaching of coral reefs) beginning in 2021. Other Caribbean and Pacific islands are following suit, and it’s anticipated that other locations around the globe will also consider the ban soon. Fortunately, there are sunscreens out there that are completely chemical-free and reef-safe, like Love Sun Body’s 100% Natural Mineral Sunscreen.
To buy: amazon.com, $21
Love Sun Body is actually the first natural sunscreen brand in the United States to be certified by Ecocert, an organization that inspects and certifies natural and organic cosmetics, and has also been given a perfect scored by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Its main ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide, which is not harmful to the environment, won’t enter your bloodstream, and still offers strong UV protection. Plus, the sunscreen includes other safe ingredients that are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and nourishing — like vitamin E and almond oil.
Love Sun Body has three-ounce and six-ounce sizes of its SPF 30 sunscreen (amazon.com, $32) available. Plus, there’s a fragrance-free option available (amazon.com, $32) alongside its naturally vanilla scented version. While the price point may be a little higher than what you’d usually spend on sunscreen, it’s definitely worth it for the peace of mind that the sunscreen you’re putting on your body isn’t harming you — or the environment.
