There's no reason to avoid chemical sunscreens unless you have an individual allergy to some of the components. The concerns about them being "carcinogenic" or "disrupting hormones" or "killing the environment" is fearmongering and marketing bullshit pushed by "clean beauty" companies.

This is a good summary of the topic:

https://labmuffin.com/sunscreen-myth-directory/

https://labmuffin.com/factcheck-low-tox-sunscreen-swaps/

▲

scrollop 4 days ago | parent | next [-]

Points to consider with chemical sunscreens:

Endocrine disruption: Oxybenzone (BP-3) and related benzophenone-type UV filters have demonstrated endocrine-disrupting properties in vitro and in animal studies, with some human data suggesting possible hormonal alterations and increased risk of uterine fibroids and endometriosis.[6-7] However, most human plasma concentrations are much lower than those producing effects in bioassays, and current evidence suggests low intrinsic biological activity and risk of toxicity for most organic UV filters except oxybenzone.[8-9]

Contamination: Benzene, toluene, and styrene have been found in a large proportion of sunscreen products, likely due to manufacturing processes rather than the UV filters themselves. Benzene contamination is a particular concern due to its established carcinogenicity.[1]

	▲	flexagoon 4 days ago \| parent [-]
		Yes. Those are all covered in the pages I linked.

▲

reducesuffering 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

The FDA listed 12 typical sunscreen ingredients, such as avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone, as not currently having sufficient data to be recognized as safe and effective. They're absorbed into the bloodstream and studies have found them to persist for weeks

Based on current data, the FDA categorized only two sunscreen ingredients as safe and effective, the mineral-based ones: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which don't permeate the skin much.

▲

thyristan 4 days ago | parent | next [-]

The safety of titanium dioxide is somwhat in doubt and it is suspected to be carcinogenic (in Europe at least): https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/service/frequently-asked-question...

	▲	reducesuffering 4 days ago \| parent [-]
		That's about oral ingestion as a food additive. I would also not recommend eating chemical-based sunscreen lotions... From your link: "There are currently no indications that the use of titanium dioxide in cosmetic products is harmful to the health of consumers if the legal requirements are complied with. Titanium dioxide is not absorbed dermally, i.e. through the skin, and consequently not by application of skin care products containing titanium dioxide. In several opinions on titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreens the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has considered absorption via the skin of no concern according to the current state of knowledge when applied to both intact and sunburn-damaged skin."

▲

loeg 4 days ago | parent | prev [-]

We have millions and millions of people using these substances on their skin for dozens of years. If they were remotely harmful, it would be pretty obvious.

▲

reducesuffering 4 days ago | parent [-]

There are a plethora of hormonal problems being observed with no clear answers what's causing them or why. We have generational testosterone decline and sperm counts falling. Puberty age has been dropping consistently. Could be a mix of the following: microplastics, pesticides, sunscreen chemicals, tap water pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals on receipts and cans, etc.

Many times in history things weren't obvious until years of damage had passed. You could also say, if they were remotely safe, it would be pretty obvious, but the FDA hasn't been able to determine that. Right now the evidence is unknown, proceed at your own risk. And you have an alternative with minimum blood absorption right next to it in the aisle.

	▲	loeg 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		You didn't mention obesity, a more likely culprit than sunscreen for a lot of these phenomena.