Sunscreen ingredients
When it comes to choosing the right product a knowledge of sunscreen ingredients is essential. It is vital that you not only understand how sunscreen works but what they contain. The ingredient lists can be intimidating but if you read past the fancy, scientific names, you'll be able to learn what each one does and what purpose they serve in your sunscreen.
Over the years, sunscreen has changed its ingredients and formulas in order to better meet the needs of the public. There are a handful of ingredients that appear on just about every label, which will become more familiar to you as you search for the right one to buy. Two of the most common ingredients are...
- Zinc Oxide - absorbs UVA rays, is ideal for wound healing, and is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), and gentle enough for most skin types.
- Titanium Dioxide - a reflective mineral that is white and chalky, is non-comedogenic, and non-irritating (but has potential risks).
There has been some debate as to whether certain sunscreen ingredients are potentially harmful to humans. PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) is one such ingredient that is rapidly becoming less and less common in sunscreen products. Over the years, studies have shown that exposure to this chemical could possibly lead to an autoimmune response (turning the body against its own cells or tissues). Medical studies have found other ingredients to be potentially carcinogenic (cancer causing) to humans, which has spawned many organic versions of sunscreen.
Organic sunscreen ingredients are naturally occurring materials that provide more effective results in blocking ultraviolet rays and are often gentle enough for use on sensitive skin types and even on young children and babies. Common organic ingredients include chamomile, aloe vera, fruit extracts, essential oils, cocoa butter, shea butter, and jojoba, among many others. Zinc oxide is also a popularly used ingredient in organic sunscreen products.
