However, those seeking the safest products in the US market should look for physical, also known as “mineral,” sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. That's because “there are fewer concerns about absorption and safety”, says King.
Mineral sunscreens
Mineral sunscreen may be your safest bet, though it's a hotly debated topic in the research community. The two ingredients often found in mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are marked "GRASE" (generally regarded as safe and effective) by the Food and Drug Administration.
Due to the health concerns associated with oxybenzone, EWG recommends consumers avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone. Octinoxate is a non-mineral UV filter.
The best sunscreen for everyday use will be a mineral sunscreen that is made from only two active ingredients– zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It will also need to be broad-spectrum, which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and will have a SPF of at least 30.
Why You Shouldn't Wear Sunscreen Every Day. If you were to use sunscreen every day, your body would continuously absorb any chemicals it contains, potentially much faster than your body can filter and excrete them.
Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
Its star ingredient, niacinamide, is an essential part of this formula for its complexion-brightening, moisture-replenishing properties. To tackle dryness-related wrinkles, this formula also features hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump skin and "fill in" fine lines.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that everyone use sunscreen that offers the following: Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays) SPF 30 or higher. Water resistance.
Oxybenzone (BP-3) and octinoxate (OMC), two common sunscreen ingredients, were recently banned in Key West and Hawaii due to their toxic effects on marine ecosystems.
When choosing a sunscreen, Dr. Silva advises looking for broad-spectrum protection, a minimum SPF of 30, mineral-based ingredients, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formulations, water resistance, and a suitable texture.
The popular sunscreen brands made by Neutrogena, Coppertone, and Banana Boat are all not recommended, according to dermatologists.
At issue is not just whether people are using enough sunscreen, but what ingredients are in it. In countries such as Japan, South Korea, and France, sunscreens include newer chemical filters, some of which have been shown to provide broader protection against UV rays than those used in the U.S.
Mineral sunscreens (i.e., physical sunscreens) are safer than chemical sunscreens for your health and the planet. They contain the minerals titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, which physically sit on the skin's surface (rather than penetrating the skin) and reflect or refract UV radiation from the skin.
The Best Sunscreen
Blue Lizard has reformulated its Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+, our top pick. It now contains an aloe extract and the SPF booster butyloctyl salicylate, among other inactive ingredients. The active ingredients, zinc oxide (10%) and titanium dioxide (8%), remain the same.
The Skin Cancer Foundation's Position
“While there is an abundance of indirect evidence suggesting that sunscreen has anti-aging benefits, this is the first clinical human trial to show it. This study provides evidence that daily sunscreen use significantly slows skin aging, even in middle-aged men and women.
Features and Benefits
WHY WE MADE IT: This hypoallergenic sunscreen helps calm and protect skin prone to discoloration and breakouts. Contains 5% Niacinamide to help visibly improve skin tone and discoloration. Formulated to calm and protect acne-prone skin. Helps keep your skin smooth and even.
Many cultures developed their own methods to keep their skin from burning, from pastes and lotions derived from ingredients found in nature, to special clothing that warded off the sun. It's fascinating to know how far we've come with sun protection, especially since nowadays, sunscreen is nearly invisible on the skin.
SPF values do not reflect a product's ability to protect from UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays, and are associated with skin aging and cancer, such as melanoma. SPF values are also unreliable because the test method that companies must use to determine a product's value is imprecise.