Sunscreens with toxic ingredients being absorbed into our bloodstreams.
Protection from harmful UV rays is important, but so is the safety of something we lather all over our bodies. Traditional chemical sunscreen manufacturers seemed to have overlooked the latter. In my research I cover toxic ingredients in sunscreens with a focus on the Banana Boat, Neutrogena and Coppertone brands — given they dominate market share.
The side effects of these toxic ingredients could be immediate such as hives, dermatitis and allergic skin reactions, or they could be long term that are not immediately known. These long term bioaccumulative consequences - such as disruptions to our hormones and endocrine system and lower testosterone levels - are especially concerning. The focus in this research is thus covering both the immediate and long term side effects. I give special attention to the active ingredients used by chemical sunscreen manufacturers and their troubling safety records - these include Oxybenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene and Avobenzone. I also cover the damage being done to our environment and coral reefs by these sunscreens.
Please Note: Here is my article on all-natural sunscreens from small companies with integrity.
Also: Here is my deep dive exploring the failure of traditional chemical based sunscreens in lowering skin cancer rates. This research article includes data over the last 50 years from the U.S. and U.K.
Neutrogena sunscreens pose health risks to humans and are harmful to our coral reefs. The side effects include both immediate ones like allergic skin reactions including itching and hives, and ones that are not immediately obvious. The long term consequences that can manifest after years or decades - like hormonal & endocrine disruptions and lower testosterone levels - are of the highest concern.