In this Q&A, Maddie and Victoria, wellness coaches at the Lapeer location, talk about chemical vs. mineral sunscreens.
Now that it’s summer, the sun is shining brightly, the days are lasting longer, and you’re probably spending more time outside. So, let’s talk about protecting your skin! Did you know that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S.? In fact, one in five Americans develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable. One of the easiest ways to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. Broad spectrum means the sunscreen will work against UVA and UVB rays.
However, not all sunscreen is created equal. That’s why Maddie and Victoria, wellness coaches at the Lapeer location, have teamed up to help you make sense of sunscreen ingredients in this Q&A.
What are the different types of sunscreens?
Victoria: There are two main types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral.
Chemical sunscreens are lightweight and transparent. They absorb into your skin and soak up the sun’s rays, converting them to heat which is released from your skin.
On the other hand, mineral sunscreens are typically thicker formulas. They sit on top of your skin and create a protective barrier to reflect the rays away.
What are the ingredients in chemical vs. mineral sunscreens?
Maddie: Oxybenzone is used in 70% of chemical sunscreen products. Other common ingredients in chemical sunscreens are avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and octinoxate.
Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
❌ Which sunscreen ingredients are not safe?
Victoria: Studies have shown that oxybenzone mimics hormones and disrupts the endocrine system. It also has a high absorption rate—exceeding FDA standards—which means this chemical can accumulate in your tissues, organs, and brain.
Maddie: Research has also shown that after applying chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone can be detected in over 95% of people’s blood, urine, and even breast milk.In animal studies, oxybenzone has been shown to cause birth defects and pre-productive harm too.
Victoria: Even in small concentrations, ingredients found in chemical sunscreens cause harm and bleaching to coral reefs and can accumulate in tissues of fish, sea urchins, dolphins, and mussels. Sunscreen reaches our oceans through people swimming in open water after application or through wastewater runoff.
✅ Which sunscreen ingredients are safe?
Maddie: The only ingredients recognized as safe by the FDA are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—which are used in mineral sunscreens. Mineral formulas are considered by health experts as non-toxic, non-allergenic, safe for children, and safe for people with sensitive skin.
Victoria: Oftentimes, mineral sunscreen bottles will also say ‘reef-friendly,’ because they’re safe for your body and safe for marine life!
What sunscreen do you sell at Rebekah’s?
Maddie: At Rebekah’s, we carry Badger Sport Mineral Sunscreen, which is one of the top recommended safe sunscreens by dermatologists and divers.
So, come down to Rebekah’s and pick up a bottle of mineral sunscreen. Protect your health and your family’s health—and save a dolphin!
