2024 Summer sunscreen guide

A common question I get every year as summer approaches is “what are my favourite safe sunscreens?” 

Concerns around the toxicity of commonly available sunscreens revolve around certain chemical ingredients.  Some of these concerns include:

1. **Chemical Penetration**: Common ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. There is some evidence suggesting that these chemicals can cause hormonal disruptions and allergic reactions. Definitive links to cancer in humans has not been established yet.

2. **Free Radicals**: Some studies suggest that certain sunscreen ingredients may generate free radicals when exposed to UV light, potentially causing skin damage and increasing the risk of skin cancer. Seems counterintuitive right?

3. **Environmental Impact**: The impact of sunscreen chemicals on the environment, particularly on coral reefs highlights the broader ecological concerns associated with certain sunscreen ingredients.

Overall, dermatologists and health organizations still strongly recommend the use of sunscreen as an effective measure to protect against the harmful effects of UV radiation, which is a known major risk factor for skin cancer. It is advisable to use sunscreens with safer, less controversial ingredients (such as zinc mineral based) and to combine sunscreen use with other sun protection measures.

The best resource to check the toxicity rating of your favourite sunscreens is the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database.   This website is a great resource for the toxicity rating of many cosmetic products. I try to aim for a rating of 1 or 2 but feel okay about using products that are rated 3. 

But don’t be fooled, not all mineral sunscreens are the same.  For example SunBum, a common brand that claims to be mineral based has a number of products with high toxicity ratings on the Skin Deep database.  Same with the Australian Gold Mineral face sunscreen.

Here are my favourite safe sunscreens for 2024:

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by any of these companies, they are simply what I have researched to be the best, available in Canada and many of them I personally use.

For the whole family:

ThinkSport, ThinkBaby and Think Kids - EWG Certified

Attitude Sunly line of products - EWG Certified

Green Beaver spray - no rating on EWG since this is a Canadian product but this is still a favourite of mine due to easy application and non-white appearance

For face:

COOLA Dew Good Illuminating Serum SPF 30 - Rated 2

Andalou Age Defying BB Balm with SPF 30 - rated 2 

Andalou Naturals Brightening Vitamin C BB Beauty Balm, Sheer Tint, SPF 30 - rated 2

Cetaphil Daily face Moisturizer with SPF 15 - rated 2

Easy application:

COOLA or Thinksport aerosols - rated 3
I am cautious of aerosol spray options due to the potential for inhalation of harmful chemicals.  But sometimes they are the most convenient.  Always apply outdoors.  

Nonmineral based option:

Australian Gold Sport Lotion sunscreen - Rated 3

Bottom-line, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen.  So use what you have as well as take other precautions to keep yourself safe like hats and shade. 

If you are concerned about your risk for skin cancer, get screened by a dermatologist or check out the Skin Cancer Screening Clinic in Guelph which is a private, self-referral clinic that does specialized mapping of your skin blemishes to track for changes over time.  

I hope you have a sunny, safe and wonderful summer!!