The No List to look for in Sunscreens - Sunscreen Ingredients To Avoid

By now, we all know why applying sunscreen is the best skincare step of 'em all! It not only protects the skin from the harmful UV rays that damage the skin with repeated exposure but also reduces the chance of skin cancer. So yes, wear sunscreen daily, even indoors!

Sunscreen Ingredients To Avoid

Choosing the right sunscreen is more important than applying the product. Why? Because what if the ingredients present in your daily essential are not completely safe and are doing more harm than good?

So without further ado, let's check out the *harmful* ingredients that shouldn't make it to any sunscreen product in the first place!

The *No No* ingredients you should say NO to!

Not every ingredient mentioned here is a villain- some of them are just plain useless and others may not be safe for the environment. Don't you worry as these are the *not approved by SunScoop* ingredients you need to ignore like it's that annoying ex!

Oxybenzone/Benzophenone-3

Found in: Physical sunscreens

Oxybenzone is a popular ingredient choice as it's often found in broad-spectrum sunscreens, helps filter both UVB & UVA rays. As exciting or safe this ingredient may sound- it is NOT.

A study, created by the Haereticus Environmental lab, found that the ingredient contributed to bleaching and poisoning coral reefs. If you are an environmentally conscious person, then you know why we all should refrain from using it!

1. Formaldehyde

Found in: sunscreens

Formaldehyde is yet another ingredient that you may find in the ingredient list of many sunscreens. Constant exposure to it can cause skin irritation and even severe skin allergies. Even if you do not see this ingredient, do watch out for Diazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, DMDM Hydantoin and Hydroxymethylglycinate as they are all formaldehyde releasers.

2. Parabens

Found in: sunscreens

You may have seen 'paraben-free' in many of your beloved skin/body care products. Most of its prototypes include propylparaben, benzylparaben, butylparaben, methyl paraben are usually added to prevent the growth of yeast, bacteria in personal care products.

But little did you know that they can mimic estrogen (the female hormone) which has been known to contribute to breast cancer. Make sure you are reading the labels, friends!

3. Homosalate

Found in: Physical sunscreens

Homosalate is one of those ingredients that you may find in sunscreen. But did you know that along with this 'skin protecting' ingredient comes many skin allergies and allergic reactions. This is also categorised as Endocrine disruptor.

Since some of the chemicals can be easily absorbed through the skin and can be detected in the blood, it is highly advisable to refrain from using such ingredients.

4. Drying alcohol - Alcohols specifically ethyl alcohol is used as a solvent in some of the products but it has a drying effect & instead moisturising alcohols are recommended.

5. Methylisothiazolinone - This is also widely used in products to control bacterial/fungal growth. Studies suggest that if this is used at a higher concentration may result in skin irritation as this is categorised as skin sensitizer.