CART
MENUMENU
  • Shop Now
        • Air Purification
        • Bath & Body
          • Body Lotions & Oils
          • Deodorant
          • Hair
          • Hand & Body Soaps/Washes
          • Home Spa Products
          • Intimacy Salves
          • Kids' Bath & Body
          • Period Supplies
          • Shaving
          • Sunblock & Bug Repellent
        • Cleaning & Laundry
          • Air Filters, Fresheners & Purifiers
          • All-Purpose Cleaners
          • Bathroom & Tile Cleaners
          • Floor Cleaners
          • Dish & Dishwasher Soaps
          • Glass & Wood Cleaners
          • Hand Soap
          • Laundry & Dryer Products
          • Sponges & Cloths
        • Clearance
        • Clothing & Accessories
          • Baby Carriers
          • Backpacks & Lunchboxes
          • Organic Baby Clothes
          • Play Mats & Baby Seats
          • Towels, Cloths, Swaddles
        • Dental Care
          • Dental Floss
          • Teethers & Pacifiers
          • Toothbrushes
          • Toothpastes
        • Diapering
          • Cloth Diapering
          • Diaper Creams & Powders
          • Disposable Diapers
          • Wipes
        • E-Books & Guides
        • Face Care
          • Anti-Aging Skincare
          • Cleansers & Exfoliants
          • Creams, Oils, Lotions & Serums
          • For Acne-Prone Skin
          • For Sensitive Skin
          • Lip Balms
          • Makeup
          • Toners & Mists
        • Feeding Baby: Bottle or Breast
        • Furniture, Bedding & Decor
          • Area Rugs
          • Bed Frames
          • Bedding & Toppers
          • Carpeting
          • For Babies
          • Mattresses & Futons
          • Pillows
          • Wall Art
        • Gifts
          • Baby Registry
          • Gifts for Her
          • Gifts for Him
        • Health & Wellness
          • Colds, flus, allergies
          • Cuts, bruises, rashes
          • Hand Sanitizers
          • Vitamins & Supplements
        • Kitchen & Eating
          • Coffee & Tea Supplies
          • Cookware & Gadgets
          • Dishes & Utensils
          • Food Storage
          • Lunch Boxes & Food Containers
          • Organic Napkins & Cloths
          • Super Foods We Love
          • Water Bottles & Sippy Cups
        • Pets
        • Pregnancy, Postpartum & Breastfeeding Products
        • Radiation Protection for Phones, Laptops & Tablets
        • Toys, Games, & Art
          • Art
          • Bath Toys
          • Infant and Toddler Toys
          • Puzzles and Games
          • Stuffed Animals and Dolls
        • Water Filters
  • Product Guides
        • Air Filters
        • Air Fresheners
        • All-Purpose Cleaner
        • Baby Clothing
        • Baby Food
        • Baby Lotion
        • Baby Shampoo
        • Baby Soap & Bubble Bath
        • Bar Soaps
        • Bread
        • Car Seat
        • CBD Oil
        • Cereal
        • Cookies
        • Cookware
        • Cow Milk
        • Deodorant
        • Diaper Rash Cream
        • Diaper Wipes
        • Dish Soap
        • Disposable Diapers
        • Face Cream
        • Fruit Popsicles
        • Hand & Body Lotion
        • Hand Sanitizer
        • Infant Formula
        • Laundry Detergent
        • Lipstick
        • Mascara
        • Mattresses
        • Mayo
        • Nipple Creams
        • Nutrition Bars
        • Olive Oil
        • Organic Prenatal Vitamins
        • Puffs
        • Shampoo
        • Sippy Cups
        • Sofa
        • Sunscreen
        • Teethers
        • Toothpaste
        • Toys
        • Yogurt
        • Water Filters
  • Blog
        • Breastfeeding & Weaning
        • Clean Travel
        • Formula Feeding Without Stress
        • Grandparenting
        • Healthy Holidays
        • Healthy Pets
        • Home Improvement & Yard Work
        • Illness & Natural Remedies
        • Mompreneurship & Career
        • Newborn & Infant Concerns
        • Non-Toxic Mattresses, Furniture & Decor
        • Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
        • Non-Toxic Kitchen Gear & Food Storage
        • Non-Toxic Toys, Clothes & Gear
        • Outdoor Products & Tips
        • Pregnancy, Childbirth, & Postpartum
        • Product Giveaways
        • Products We Love
        • Recipes & Healthy Eating
        • Safer Baby Supplies
        • Safe Product Guides
        • School, Arts & Crafts
        • Skincare & Haircare: Good, Bad, and Sneaky
        • Sleep for Babies & Toddlers
        • Start Here: Detox Your Home
        • Vaccines
        • Vitamins & Supplements
        • Water & Air Filtration
        • Weight Loss & Fitness
        • WiFi & Radiation Concerns
  • Consulting
    • Healthy Home Consults
    • Health Coaching for Healthy Eating
    • Quick Detox for Home & Body
  • About Us
    • About Gimme the Good Stuff
    • The Staff
    • Store Policies
    • Disclosures
    • Contact
    • Subscribe to Maia's Emails
  • Videos
  • Cart
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS $50 AND UP
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Gimme the Good Stuff

Home > Posts > Scary Stuff: Oxybenzone
aveeno baby sunscreen

Scary Stuff: Oxybenzone

March 23, 2015 | BY Rebecca Stern
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure page.

Rebecca Stern Headshot

Written by Rebecca Stern, Guest Blogger

In this installment of Scary Stuff, guest blogger Rebecca Stern shines a spotlight on a chemical called oxybenzone, examines why it’s scary, and provides easy tips on how to avoid it.

What is Oxybenzone?

Oxybenzone is a chemical that is able to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. It is the active ingredient in many sunscreens, and is also added to cosmetics to prevent degradation from UV exposure.

Why Oxybenzone Is Dangerous

Oxybenzone toxicity has been cited in studies published over the last several years, and one of the chief threats to human health posed by this compound is its potential for endocrine disruption (1,2). An endocrine disruptor (ED), causes harm to human health by interfering with hormone secretion and regulation in the body.

The symptoms that result from endocrine disruption vary widely within and among populations, but some more common illnesses associated with exposure to EDs include reproductive development problems, learning disabilities, and breast, prostate, and thyroid cancer.

Significantly, fetuses and infants are among the most strongly affected by endocrine disruptor exposure (3). In the womb, a fetus is extraordinarily dependent on maintaining the precise levels of hormones, as keeping these levels exact is important for healthy neurological and physical development. While a mother’s system is advanced and able to withstand exposure in small amounts to chemicals, concern has been raised that the same cannot be said for a fetus or infant.

Health problems associated with endocrine disruption in the womb include physical deformation, learning and attention disorders, and reproductive system abnormalities. In addition, exposure at an early age may be associated with an increased risk of developing cancer and reproductive illness later in life.

In addition to the health threats of endocrine disruption, documented dermatological concerns like contact dermatitis are frequently associated with oxybenzone exposure (4).

Sweden has banned the use of this ingredient.

aveeno baby sunscreen

Aveeno Baby’s Continuous Protection Sunscreen contains oxybenzone.

Where You’ll Find Oxybenzone

Given the photostabilizing effects of oxybenzone, the compound is found most commonly in sunscreens and lotions or lip balms with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. In addition, oxybenzone is added to common household cosmetics such as hair spray, nail polish, and makeup to protect from damage caused by sunlight exposure. Due to its risk of toxicity, current FDA regulation allows an amount of oxybenzone less than or equal to 6% in products.

It’s important to note that even brands that call themselves natural or “mineral-based” may contain oxybenzone. Aveeno Baby’s suncreen, for instance, contains oxybenzone, among other chemicals.

How to Avoid Oxybenzone Exposure

Luckily, oxybenzone isn’t the only ingredient that protects you and your family from sun damage and burns. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two ingredients found in natural, mineral sunscreens that provide sufficient UV protection without the toxicity of oxybenzone. Don’t trust what the front of a bottle says–always read the ingredients and stay away from anything that contains oxybenzone.

See our Safe Sunscreen Guide for the sunscreen brands we recommend, which include the following:

Sierra Sage Solar Goo from Gimme the Good Stuff

Sierra Sage Solar Goo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$10.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now


Kabana Green Screen

Kabana Green Screen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


`BABO_30_SPF_Sunscreen

Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Sunscreen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$20.00 — or subscribe and save up to 5%Buy Now


 About the Author:

Originally from Upstate New York, Rebecca grew up with an appreciation for nature and love of the outdoors. This translated into her undergraduate experience at Yale, where she majored in Environmental Studies and Political Science. In addition to her studies, Rebecca enjoyed teaching yoga and contributing to the campus newspaper. With a passion about writing and sharing ideas regarding chemicals in consumer products, she is excited about the opportunity to contribute to Gimme the Good Stuff and eager to share information with its readers. Currently, Rebecca resides in Westchester County and enjoys spending time outside with her mini-bulldog, Burke.


Citations

  1. Watanabe, Y., Kojima, H., Takeuchi, S., Uramaru, N., Sanoh, S., Sugihara, K., … & Ohta, S. (2015). Metabolism of UV-filter benzophenone-3 by rat and human liver microsomes and its effect on endocrine-disrupting activity. Toxicology and applied pharmacology, 282(2), 119-128.
  2. Kim, S., Jung, D., Kho, Y., & Choi, K. (2014). Effects of benzophenone-3 exposure on endocrine disruption and reproduction of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)—A two generation exposure study. Aquatic Toxicology, 155, 244-252.
  3. Meeker, J. D. (2012). Exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors and child development. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 166(10), 952-958.
  4. Billsland, D., & Ferguson, J. (1993). Contact allergy to sunscreen chemicals in photosensitivity dermatitis/actinic reticuloid syndrome (PD/AR) and polymorphic light eruption (PLE). Contact Dermatitis, 29(2), 70-73.

If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

Filed Under: Posts, Skincare & Haircare: Good, Bad, and Sneaky Tagged With: sunscreen, environmental toxins, guest posts

Reader Interactions


Share this:

Share the post "Scary Stuff: Oxybenzone"

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Reddit

Trackbacks

  1. Protect Skin With These Summer Sun Safety Tips | The Mind-Body SHIFT says:
    May 27, 2015 at 2:27 PM

    […] with hormone secretion and regulation and acting like estrogen in the body. Studies have linked endocrine disruptors with reproductive and child development problems, learning disabilities a…. Oxybenzone can also trigger allergic skin […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

 
CLEARANCE

Shopping Cart

Shop By Category

  •   Air Filters  |
  •   Body & Hair  |
  •   Cleaning  |
  •   Clothing  |
  •   Diapering  |
  •   E-Books  |
  •   Face  |
  •   Feeding Baby  |
  •   Furnishings & Bedding  |
  •   Health  |
  •   Kitchen  |
  •   Pets  |
  •   Pregnancy & Breastfeeding  |
  •   Radiation Protection  |
  •   Teeth  |
  •   Toys  |
  •   Water Filters

Featured Product Guide:

Our Safe Product Guides help conscious parents find safe, non-toxic, natural and organic products for their families and homes. Check out all of our guides find out what's good, what's bad, and what's sneaky.

Featured image

Safe Non-Toxic Cookware Guide

As much as we should avoid toxins in what we breathe and touch, we REALLY should avoid eating them! For this reason, many of you have asked about safe, non-toxic cookware. We’ve done the research for you, and I will cover all the details in this post.

Learn More >>

Browse Shopping Guides

Browse Blog by Category

Browse Blog by Tag

about us Activities for Kids Air Filters air fresheners Air Purification Air quality allergies animals anti-aging anti-inflammatories antibiotics aromatherapy asthma attachment parenting autism Ayurveda baby bottles baby food baby food guide Baby Formula bad stuff bath products bathroom renovation beach Beautycounter bedroom birthdays black friday Blue Light BPA Bread breakfast breastfeeding bug spray candy carpet CBD central america cereal Christmas cleaning cleanse coffee coffee & tea colds & flu cookies Cookware cradle cap dads dairy dental care deodorant dessert diapering diet dinners Dirty Dozen dish dish soap dogs drinks Easter Eczema energy Environmentalism environmental toxins europe European formula face care family time flame retardants flooring food storage formula formula feeding fruit futon gifts gimmethegoodstuff giveaway giveaways gluten-free Goat Milk Formula good deals greens Greenwashing guest posts gut health hair hand sanitizer healthy cereal Healthy Food at Disney Healthy Thanksgiving holiday sales home detox Honest Company Humidifier Immune boosters immunity insomnia interior design junk food just for fun kale kitchen products kitchen renovations laundry lip balm lotion Lumion lunch boxes lunches makeup mattress mattresses meal delivery services meat medications natural birth natural mattresses nature Non-Toxic Area Rugs Non-Toxic Carpets non-toxic coffee non-toxic mattress non-toxic mattresses NonToxic Bath Products nursing nuts nyc oils Olive Oil our team packaged food packed lunches paint Paleo Pesticides phthalates pillows plastics play pollution Poofy Organics pregnancy prenatal nutrition probiotics Project one-eleven Radiation Raw Foods recycling Resolutions Safe Toy Guide Sakara school-aged kids school lunch screens screen time separation anxiety sippy cups skincare smartphones smoothies snacks sneaky stuff soap social-emotional development sofas sofas/couches soup Spring sprouted flour sprouted grains sprouted wheat Staff stress sugar summer sunscreen teething Thanksgiving Ticks tile toddlers toothpaste Toxins toxins in coffee Travel triclosan vegan veggies wallpaper water water bottles water filters wine winter wooden furniture yams yoga

INSTAGRAM

@gimmethegoodstuf

gimmethegoodstuf

View

Jan 14

Open
Happy birthday to my BFF, my mom.

Happy birthday to my BFF, my mom. ...

Load More >> Follow on Instagram >>

Footer

About Our Founder

Maia James, the founder of Gimme the Good Stuff, has a lifetime of experience in the world of natural living, and has turned this passion into a career, now helping clients easily enjoy greener, cleaner lives, peace of mind, and better health.

Read more about Maia

Gimme the Good Stuff helps busy, conscientious parents easily avoid toxic products in their homes through our in-home consulting service, personalized shopping guides, and online store.We simplify the process of navigating the confusing world of “natural” products, and our readers, customers, and clients enjoy peace of mind and confidence that their home is a safe, healthy place for their families.
As Seen In...

Site Directory:

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Glossary
  • Product Guides
  • Store
  • Contact
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Connect with Gimme the Good Stuff:

approved-good-stuff

Good Stuff Approved:

copyright © 2021 Gimme the Good Stuff. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in