Sun Protection: Chemical, Physical vs. Inner

CHEMICAL FILTERS

Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, Dioxybenzone, Sulisobenzone, Octinoxate, Cinoxate, Homosalate, Octisalate, Trolamine Salicylate, Octocrylene, Ensulizole, Padimate O, Iscotrizinol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, and PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid), Meradimate.

1. Avobenzone

Harm to the body:

• Unstable under UV exposure – breaks down into toxic compounds.
  
  
• May cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
  
  
• Can contribute to free radical formation.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Toxic to marine life and coral reefs, causing degradation.
  

2. PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid)

Harm to the body:

• Known strong allergen; can cause contact dermatitis.
  
  
• Associated with phototoxic reactions.
  
  
• May disrupt hormonal balance.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Toxic to aquatic organisms and marine ecosystems.
  
  
• Banned in some countries due to environmental harm.
  

3. Cinoxate

Harm to the body:

• May cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
  
  
• Not stable under sun exposure.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Water-soluble, accumulates in water bodies, negatively affecting ecosystems.
  

4. Dioxybenzone

Harm to the body:

• Hormone disruptor (endocrine disruptor).
  
  
• Can cause irritation and phototoxic reactions.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Negatively affects marine flora and fauna.
  

5. Ensulizole

Harm to the body:

• Can irritate skin, especially for sensitive individuals.
  
  
• Weak UVA protection, making it less effective.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Toxic to aquatic organisms when it enters oceans.
  

6. Homosalate

Harm to the body:

• Accumulates in body tissues.
  
  
• Endocrine disruptor, affects hormones.
  
  
• May cause skin irritation and phototoxicity.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Toxic to aquatic ecosystems and contributes to coral reef degradation.
  

7. Meradimate

Harm to the body:

• Limited effectiveness against UVB rays.
  
  
• May cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Mild but cumulative toxic effect on marine life.
  

8. Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)

Harm to the body:

• Disrupts hormonal balance by mimicking estrogen.
  
  
• Found in bloodstream and breast milk.
  
  
• Causes phototoxic reactions and allergies.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Causes coral bleaching and death.
  
  
• Toxic to marine flora and fauna.
  

9. Octisalate

Harm to the body:

• May cause allergic reactions in sensitive skin.
  
  
• Unstable under prolonged sun exposure.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Accumulates in water bodies; harmful to aquatic life.
  

10. Octocrylene

Harm to the body:

• Breaks down into benzophenone, a toxic and potentially carcinogenic substance.
  
  
• Causes allergies and skin irritation.
  
  
• Penetrates the bloodstream and accumulates in tissues.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Toxic to corals and marine life; accumulates in the aquatic environment.
  

11. Oxybenzone

Harm to the body:

• Strong endocrine disruptor, affects hormonal systems.
  
  
• Found in blood, breast milk, and urine.
  
  
• Causes irritation and phototoxic reactions.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• One of the main contributors to coral reef destruction.
  
  
• Toxic to marine ecosystems even in small concentrations.
  

12. Padimate O

Harm to the body:

• Can break down under UV exposure, forming free radicals.
  
  
• Causes allergic and phototoxic reactions.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Negatively affects aquatic ecosystems and marine life.
  

13. Sulisobenzone

Harm to the body:

• Penetrates the skin and accumulates in tissues.
  
  
• May cause irritation and phototoxic reactions.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• Hazardous to aquatic environments; toxic to marine organisms.
  

14. Trolamine Salicylate

Harm to the body:

• May cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
  
  
• Not well studied for long-term health effects.
  Harm to the environment:
  
  
• May accumulate in aquatic environments and negatively affect marine life.
  

Overall Harm of Chemical Filters:

• Hormonal Disruption: Many filters are endocrine disruptors, affecting sex hormones, the thyroid, and overall hormonal balance.
  
  
• Body Absorption: Most chemical filters are absorbed through the skin and detected in blood, breast milk, and urine.
  
  
• Skin Allergies and Irritation: Can cause dermatitis, redness, itching, and rashes.
  
  
• Phototoxicity and Free Radicals: Under sunlight, they may degrade into toxic compounds and free radicals, accelerating skin aging.
  
  
• Environmental Harm: When washed off into water, they cause coral bleaching, reef death, and disrupt ocean ecosystems.
  

Conclusion:

Most chemical filters in sunscreens pose toxic risks to both human health and the environment. They may disrupt hormones, cause allergic reactions, accumulate in the body, and contribute to coral reef and aquatic ecosystem destruction. Physical filters based on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer a safer alternative for both skin and planet.