Scientists Warn: Harmful Chemicals in Sunscreens
Before we slather on that sunscreen this summer, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s inside the bottle.
A recent Environmental Working Group (EWG) sunscreen report revealed that nearly 80% of them fail to meet basic safety and health standards, raising serious red flags about harmful sunscreen ingredients.
So, while we may be protecting our skin from UV rays, we could be exposing ourselves to other unexpected health risks. Together, let’s break down what’s going on behind the labels, and which safe sunscreen alternatives we should be tossing in our beach bags.
Urgent Health Warning Issued Over Popular Sunscreen Brands with Toxic Ingredients
Spray sunscreens are super convenient, especially when we’re wrangling the kiddos or trying to cover hard-to-reach spots. But, they may come with a hidden price.
The EWG has raised concerns about the inhalation of tiny particles like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, commonly found in spray sunscreens.
The ingredients themselves aren’t bad. (They’re effective mineral blockers.) But, breathing in those fine particles can pose a risk to our lungs and possibly enter our bloodstreams.
What may be even more concerning is benzene in sunscreen. This chemical, a known carcinogen, has shown up in several aerosol products in recent years, prompting high-profile recalls.
Exposure to benzene has been linked to dizziness, immune system suppression, and even blood cancers like leukemia. Not exactly what we had in mind for a day at the pool.
Don’t Be Fooled by the SPF Number
Higher SPF sounds like stronger protection. But, there is a catch: many sunscreens inflate their SPF ratings using ingredients like butyloctyl salicylate (BOS), a chemical that can mimic higher SPF performance without actually delivering better UVA or UVB protection.
Even worse, BOS is part of a family of chemicals tied to developmental and reproductive issues. So, while the bottle might say SPF 100, we may not be getting more protection, just more sunscreen health risks.
Harmful Sunscreen Ingredients to Watch Out For
When trying to shop smart, here are some of the biggest offenders flagged in the latest research:
Benzene: A cancer-causing chemical found in some aerosol sprays.
Butyloctyl Salicylate (BOS): Boosts SPF numbers artificially, with links to toxicity concerns.
Oxybenzone: Once in nearly every non-mineral sunscreen (now declining), but still worth avoiding.
Speaking of oxybenzone dangers, this chemical has been found in everything from breast milk to blood plasma after sunscreen use, and it's been shown to interfere with hormone function in animal studies.
While more human research is needed, the risks might be enough to make us think twice.
The Fall of Oxybenzone and Vitamin A
There’s good news on the ingredient front: oxybenzone use is on the decline, down from 70% of products in 2016 to just 9% in 2025. That’s a big win for health-conscious consumers.
The EWG attributes this shift to growing awareness about how easily oxybenzone is absorbed through the skin and the long list of potential issues that come with it.
Another ingredient losing popularity is vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), which once appeared in over 40% of sunscreens. Research suggests it can actually speed up skin damage when exposed to sunlight – the exact opposite of what we want our sunscreens to do.
Looking for Safe Sunscreen Alternatives?
Still, the EWG has our back. Its EWG Verified label is our best bet when scanning shelves for a safe choice.
Products with this seal meet stricter criteria than those set by U.S. or European regulations. To qualify, sunscreens must offer UVA and UVB protection, avoid harmful chemicals, and be fully transparent about their ingredients.
Over 60 sunscreens – plus dozens of moisturizers and lip balms with SPF – have earned this badge, making it easier than ever to find safe sunscreen alternatives that actually live up to the hype.
Here are a few top-rated, EWG-friendly picks available online:
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30: Reef-safe and free of oxybenzone
Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc SPF 50: Gentle on sensitive skin and safe for kids
Badger Mineral Daily Sunscreen SPF 30: Water-resistant with USDA-certified ingredients
Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen: Pediatrician-recommended and EWG Verified
Don’t Get Burned by Harmful Sunscreen Ingredients
Protecting our skin from the sun is essential, but not at the cost of our overall health. As the EWG sunscreen report makes clear, many products on the market contain harmful sunscreen ingredients that may pose serious health risks, from benzene in sunscreen to oxybenzone dangers and misleading SPF ratings.
The good news? We have options. Let’s try to stick with mineral-based formulas, skip the aerosols, and look for that EWG Verified seal. It seems our skin – and our bodies – will thank us.