Choosing Safer Sunscreens: Protecting Your Skin and Our Oceans

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Sunscreen has become a widely-used product for outdoor activities due to its well-established benefits in skin protection. Its recognition as an essential item for preventing skin cancer has also been firmly established. Among the diverse range of sunscreens available in the consumer market, the two prominent categories are chemical and mineral sunscreens. All things considered, there is a crucial distinction between the two distinct types of sunscreens that may be in your beach bag. 

Chemical sunscreens, which are composed of chemical compounds like oxybenzone; avobenzone; octisalate; octocrylene; homosalate; and octinoxate, have been found to be effective in absorbing and subsequently reflecting ultraviolet (UV) rays from the applied area. 

The observed benefits of chemical sunscreen use are the result of the chemicals’ absorption into the skin, rather than leaving an external residue like mineral-based sunscreens. This proves to be one of the defining characteristics of chemical based sunscreens, as they rely on an entirely different mechanism than mineral based sunscreens. 

Conversely, mineral based sunscreens are primarily composed of ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which act as external blockades against UV radiation. The aforementioned ingredients are more preferred for a decreased risk of skin absorption as well posing certain environmental benefits. 

Zinc oxide, in particular, is a safer alternative for other harmful sunscreen ingredients that are likely carcinogens–harmful substances which can induce genetic mutations. What’s more, mineral based sunscreens have been proven to provide more protection from ultraviolet waves in comparison to their chemical based counterparts. However, the two categories of products are also distinguished in their environmental impact.

Considering the contextual usage of sunscreen, much of the products we use will likely end up in water bodies when we swim or shower. The runoff water containing carcinogens from sunscreen products can enter larger bodies of water, effectively widening the scope of organisms affected by sunscreen misuse. Studies have shown that particular ingredients in chemical sunscreen products have had detrimental effects on coral reef systems, in particular. These ingredients can cause coral bleaching, which damages the delicate coral ecosystems that support marine biodiversity. 

Exposure to chemicals from sunscreen products can lead to a wide array of genetic deformities in countless marine life species, not just coral reef systems. According to the National Ocean Service, species that are subject to the effects of sunscreen chemicals also include green algae, sea urchins, fish, mussels, and dolphins. 

While sunscreen remains essential for protecting our skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and preventing skin cancer, it is crucial to consider the broader implications of its use. Chemical sunscreens, though seemingly effective, pose significant risks to both human health and the environment due to their tendency for skin absorption and the broader risk of harmful runoff into aquatic ecosystems. On the other hand, mineral-based sunscreens, with ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, offer a safer alternative that minimizes these risks. By making informed choices about the types of sunscreens we use, we can protect our skin while also safeguarding our environment and the delicate marine life that depends on it.

References:

• https://www.nps.gov/articles/protect-yourself-and-protect-the-reef.htm

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8963516/

• https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26381/review-of-fate-exposure-and-effects-of-sunscreens-in-aquatic-environments-and-implications-for-sunscreen-usage-and-human-health