Sunblock basics
Protect your family from
harmful rays by learning more
about sunscreen ingredients
We all need to use sunscreen daily to protect our skin. But if
you have sensitive or dry skin—or if you’re slathering up young
children—you’ll probably want to be more discerning about
what’s in that bottle you’re buying. Here’s what to look for—and
what to avoid—in sunscreens.
For optimal skin protection—and minimal irritation risk—
choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which blocks both UVA
a *nd UVB rays. Active ingredients to look for:
Avobenzone (Parsol 1789): Provides broad-spectrum
skin protection; less likely than other chemicals (such as PABA)
t *o trigger a skin reaction.
Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide: Protect skin by physically (as opposed to chemically) blocking, scattering, and absorbing harmful rays.
*Following are some ingredients you may want to avoid:
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid): Can trigger an itchy
r *ash.
Benzophenones (such as dioxybenzone, oxyben-zone, or sulisobenzone): Cause rashes, acne, dryness, and
i *tching in some people.
Alcohol: Can be drying and cause skin allergies in sensi-t *ive individuals.
Fragrances: Can set off skin reactions in very sensitive
s *kin.
Some preservatives (especially quaternium- 15): Can
t *rigger allergic skin reactions.
Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylpar-aben): Recent studies found high concentrations of these
chemicals—common preservatives and antimicrobials—in
breast cancer tissue. No clear links have been established, but
many health-oriented manufacturers are removing them from
their formulas just in case.
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A note about sunscreen and babies: It’s best to keep babies
younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. But the American
Academy of Pediatrics now recommends applying sunscreen
to infants on small areas (such as the face and back of the
hands) if clothing protection and shade will be inadequate.
Finally, consider doing your skin a favor and avoid the midday sun, which is more likely to cause sunburns. And if you’re
craving a bronzed look, try out one of the great, natural sunless
tanners that are on the shelves these days. You’ll get all the
glow—without the risks.p –Victoria Dolby Toews, MPH
Don’t forget! Too much direct sun exposure,
especially during peak hours between 11 a.m. and
2 p.m., can be dangerous. If you’re going outside with
the kids beyond a 10-minute daily dose, everyone
should wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Look for
a sunscreen formulated for children that protects
against both UVB and UVA rays. –Carlotta Mast
