What Are the Dangerous Ingredients in Sunscreen?

When it comes to sun cream, we often find ourselves in a bit of a dilemma, because we know how important a good high factor sun cream is, but we also know that many of the synthetic versions contain some less than desirable ingredients. At Nakin we believe in using natural skincare wherever possible, which is why we developed our award-winning range. We do not have a sun cream in our collection as we instead focus on producing natural anti-ageing face products that contain lots of skin boosting ingredients. All the products are made for day and night use, and we see sunscreen as a very separate but hugely important product that we should apply before going out and reapply frequently as required. We always recommend using a natural sun cream, even if it means the look and feel on the skin is not great, or that it needs more frequent application. This is because there are ingredients that are found in some synthetic sun creams that we recommend completely avoiding. Read on to find out more.

Sunscreen is a crucial product in protecting your skin from the sun's harsh rays. But did you know that some sunscreen ingredients could have potential negative effects and we are going to dive into the potentially dangerous ingredients in sunscreen that you should avoid.:

1. Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is one of the most common ingredients in sunscreen products. However, this ingredient is harmful as it can penetrate the skin, get into the bloodstream, and interfere with the body's hormones. Oxybenzone may also trigger allergic reactions and has adverse effects on marine life.

2. Octinoxate

Octinoxate is another common sunscreen ingredient that has controversy around it as it could potentially penetrate the skin, disrupt hormones, and trigger allergic reactions. Besides, Octinoxate is harmful to marine life, making it a threat to the environment.

3. Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)

Many sunscreen products contain Retinyl Palmitate, which is marketed as an anti-ageing ingredient. But this may expose your skin to more harm than good. When exposed to sunlight, Retinyl Palmitate can break down and produce free radicals that effect skin cells. 

4. Homosalate

Homosalate is a common sunblock ingredient that can cause harm to your skin and health. This ingredient has been linked to hormone disruptions, reproductive system damage, and thyroid hormone imbalance. It can also cause skin irritation, photosensitivity, and allergic reactions.

5. Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are tiny particles that are found in some sunscreens. These particles can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, leading to potential toxic effects in the body. They can also cause significant damage to marine life, as they wash off into the ocean.

Now that you know about the unwanted ingredients in sunscreen, it is time to ensure that your sunscreen products are free from these toxins. It is essential to read the labels before buying sunscreen products and choose those made with natural ingredients. While sunscreen remains vital in protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays, it is crucial to make informed decisions to keep yourself and the environment safe.