Check your sunscreen: it may contain toxic ingredients

The active ingredients in sunscreens come in two forms, physical (mineral) filters or chemical filters. Most conventional creams, without organic or natural certification, use chemical filters, composed of synthetic substances, created in the laboratory, which can be harmful to health. According to a report made by Ecologists in Action, many brands include them in their sunscreens. This organization recommends avoiding the following ingredients:

Caution with physical sunscreens

In addition to chemical sunscreens, chemical filters can be found in creams. In this case, They function as “screens” that reflect radiation and protect the skin from the sun. The most common are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

In principle, physical filters are safer than chemical ones, but it is advisable avoid its presentation in the form of nanoparticles –they carry the concept (nano) after the name of the ingredient– because their safety has not been sufficiently proven, especially in the case of titanium dioxide (titanium dioxide or TiO2), which has been qualified by the International Agency for Cancer Research ( IARC, a body dependent on the World Health Organization) as a possible carcinogen to humans when inhaled.

Bio certified protectors

The most recommended filter is zinc oxide, not nano, as an ingredient in creams with some recognized natural or organic certification (such as Cosmos, Ecocert, Vida Sana, BDIH…). Ecologists in Action warns that, in the absence of these certifications, the words “natural” or “organic” on the label or in advertising do not mean anything, since they respond solely to an advertising strategy.

Toxic brands

Ecologistas en Acción echoes the analysis carried out by the Danish consumer organization THINK Chemicals, which has studied the brands of sun creams to warn of those that incorporate toxins and disseminate those that are free of these substances that are harmful to health.

Of 47 brands tested, at least 17 were free of toxic ingredients. Among those that contained a substance suspected of being toxic to human health, the following were mentioned: Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess SPF 30, Garnier Ambre Solaire light and silky SPF 30, Korres Sunscreen Face and Body SPF Yogurt Emulsion 30, Lancaster Sun Beauty SPF 30, Piz Buin Moisturizing Sun Lotion SPF 30, Shiseido Wetforce Sun Expert with Anti-Aging Protection SPF 30, Lancome Bronzer SPF 30, Nivea Sun SPF 30 or Yves Rocher Comfort Lotion SPF 30.