Healthy Alternatives for Sunscreens
For years I have said there were lots of additives in sunscreens that may be unhealthy and one of these days we will find out the sunscreens have called lots of health issues for our children once the strategy was pushed to put sunscreen on daily all over your body to prevent skin cancer. But now research is coming out to verify my suspicions. Well, it turns out some of the ingredients are actually hormone disruptors and also may cause skin irritations.
The Scoop on Health Issues with Sunscreens
Sunscreen is one of those products that gets used without much thought about what’s actually in it. Oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, octocrylene — these are some of the most common chemical filters found in conventional sunscreens, and several have been linked to hormone disruption and skin irritation.
Cleaner Options are Available
Cleaner options exist and work just as well. Mineral sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide provide broad-spectrum protection without the concerning ingredients — and they start working the moment you apply them.
If your goal is to avoid oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene and move toward mineral-based sunscreens, the biggest things to look for are broad-spectrum SPF 30+, zinc oxide (especially non-nano if that matters to you), good wearability, and whether you want face vs body use. Mineral sunscreens generally start protecting immediately after application and are often chosen by people with sensitive skin.
For ingredient labels, look for the following ingredients:
- Look for: Zinc Oxide (or Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide)
- Avoid if desired: Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Octocrylene
- Choose: Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ and reapply every ~2 hours outdoors
My Favorite Sunscreen for My Face
If your goal is to choose a mineral sunscreen and avoid oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene, EltaMD UV AOX Elements SPF 50 is one of the stronger fits in that category. It uses mineral UV filters rather than those chemical filters. This is the sunscreen I use daily.
Healthy Choices of Sunscreens for Your Babies and Children
For infants and children, many pediatricians and dermatologists also recommend mineral sunscreens that use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. For babies under 6 months, shade, protective clothing, and hats are generally preferred, with sunscreen used on small exposed areas when necessary.
What to Look for When Buying Sunscreen for Babies
- Zinc Oxide (preferred by many experts)
- Broad-Spectrum SPF 30–50+
- Fragrance-Free
- Water Resistant for swimming
- Designed for Sensitive Skin
Here’s some Extra Sun Protection Ideas for Kids
☀️ Wide-brimmed hats
☀️ UV-protective swim shirts (UPF 50+)
☀️ Sunglasses with UV protection
☀️ Shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
☀️ Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming
Note: This content was generated with assistance from ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI. I used ChatGPT for the graphics and pulling this blog together for this topic, but I also check the information carefully to ensure the health information is correct. In order to get the right answers & the development of these health blogs when using ChatGPT effectively, you must know how to pose the correct questions.
is a registered dietitian with a Master’s Degree in clinical nutrition. She is the Chief Blog Organizer for www.DayByDayLiving.net
Barbara worked as a research nutritionist with the military’s tri-service medical school collaborating with Department of Defense, National Health Institutes (NIH), and also United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Barbara worked as a performance nutrition consultant to Navy SEALS’ BUD/S Training Program and West Coast Navy SEAL Teams. Barbara is the former nutrition performance consultant to the University of Louisville Athletic Department.
She is the author of Fast Facts on Fast Food for Fast People and High Energy Eating Sports Nutrition Workbook for Active People used by the University of Louisville, University of Tennessee Lady Vols and the Tennessee football program, the LSU basketball program, the Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns and by the United States Navy SEALs.
Barbara is the former publisher of Kentuckiana HealthFitness Magazine, Kentuckiana Healthy Woman magazine and radio show host of Health News You Can Use and a TV segment on the Local ABC station called Barbara’s Right Bite.
Barbara has over 50 years of experience in promoting healthy lifestyles to consumers. Barbara is a former runner who walks, a spinner, hiker, a pickleball player, a mother and grandmother to 13 grandchildren.
Barbara also serves on the Leadership Team for Moms for America as the Grammy Grizzlies National Group Leader. (www.momsforamerica.us).