Safe Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is certainly better than not wearing any at all— but many conventional sunscreens use ingredients that can do more harm than good for your skin. Some ingredients can result in annoying side effects like rashes and acne flare-ups, while others like oxybenzone have been linked to cancer. Sunscreen products that use these ingredients are considered chemical sunscreens.

• Oxybenzone

• Parabens

• PABA

• Avobenzone

• Octisalate

• Octocrylene

• Homosalate

• Octinoxate

Oxybenzone is the most harmful of these ingredients. This chemical can imitate estrogen, a female hormone that signals the growth of women’s reproductive organs. Its ability to mimic estrogen has been suggested as a possible cause of breast cancer, uterine cancer, endometriosis, and fertility issues. Parabens are another ingredient that mimics estrogen, although more research is being done on side effects. PABA is also a known skin irritant that causes one of the highest rates of allergic reactions among those who use chemical sunscreen. A non-PABA sunscreen can prevent irritation on highly-sensitive skin.

So how do you protect your skin from the sun and chemical irritants? Physical sunscreens, also known as safe sunscreens are a great alternative for those who want to commit to healthy, radiant skin.

There are two types of active ingredients in sunscreens— mineral and chemical filters. Our physical sunscreen uses minerals like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or a mixture of both to create a protective barrier against the sun. Chemical sunscreens use active chemical ingredients to absorb UV radiation before it gets to the skin. Chemical sunscreens typically cause more allergic reactions.

Colorescience offers a variety of safe sunscreen products rich with natural minerals that nourish— and protect the skin. Our safe, hypoallergenic sunscreen powders use mineral filters to reflect the sun’s harmful UV rays. Our all-natural SPF face powder for sensitive skin is made of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—two organic ingredients that provide natural coverage without the harmful effects of other chemicals. Colorescience water-based primer makeup contains SPF properties paired with essential ingredients to keep skin nourished and protected. Our sunscreen is paraben-free, oxybenzone-free, and contains no other commonly irritating ingredients. Colorescience is your source for safe sunscreen that will protect your skin.