Spotlight on Skin: 3 sunscreen ingredients to avoid

Is your sunscreen disrupting your hormones?

Say what? I thought my sunscreen was protecting me from the dangerous rays of the sun, but now I have to worry about it harming me too? That’s right, ladies, there are many toxic chemicals lurking in the average product that you see on the shelf.With summer in full swing, it’s freeing to be outdoors enjoying the warmth of sun on your skin. But as important as our daily dose of Vitamin D is, so is our protection from a burn and perhaps more serious illnesses. And with that, comes another caution - beware of the ingredient list on your sunscreen!

Sunscreen ingredients to avoid and why:

OXYBENZONE - Oxybenzone easily penetrates the layers of skin, allowing it to enter your system. It has been linked with endocrine hormone disruption (including reproduction), an increase in endometriosis, cellular level changes, and system toxicity.RETINYL ACETATE (VITAMIN A ACETATE) - Vitamin A in your diet has been proven to protect against HPV proliferation and cervical cancer, but putting it on your skin in the sun does not have the same effects. Studies have shown that vitamin A treated skin exposed to sunlight can increase your risk of cancerous tumor growth.OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE (OMC) - Studies have linked to increased levels of estrogen, reduced production of thyroid hormones, and declined immune function.

Ingredients to look for:

AVOBENZONE - Used in products since 1978, avobenzone provides protection against UV-A rays and test results show no hormone disruptions.ZINC OXIDE - Remember the 80s with zinced up lifeguard noses? This mineral shows limited skin penetration, no photoallergy and no hormonal disruption.TITANIUM DIOXIDE - Great for UV protection, this other mineral also has limited skin penetration, no photoallergy and no hormonal disruption.Our environments today have an increased number of industrial-created chemicals that alone not seem toxic but in combination with all the other chemicals (in shampoo, make up, cleaning products, plastics in our home, paint on our walls, finishes on our furniture, I could keep going) and environmental factors (sun exposure) may lead to detrimental effects on our systems. Take control where you can!At FLO living we love using EWG as a resource for product information, all studies cited in this post are results from research done by EWG. Take a peek at their sunscreen guide to 2012.Knowledge is power, and we like you having power!To go even deeper and get an in-depth power session for your body and hormones, sign up for a complimentary 30 minute consultation here.