Breaking: Summer Must-Have Under Investigation
Growing up, I always thought that as long as I lathered my half-Irish skin with loads of sunscreen, I would come home slightly burnt but would never reach the tomato status everyone else came home with. Both my parents preached to me about the superman-level capabilities of UV protection and if I’m being honest, I have always loved applying it. I thought it smelled good and I liked the idea of this “invisible shield.” During my prime youth soccer days, I was always the kid making her dad apply sunscreen before games. I saw the equation well: sunscreen + application = no burnt skin, and I followed it religiously. I was a stickler, rule-following kid, but especially when it came to sunscreen.
Sunscreen made me feel safe from the sun.
And then my mom showed me a lotion that could give me a tan without even having to go outside. I was elated.
However, my love letter to sunscreen is only context for what comes next. Typical sunscreen “protector” ingredients are currently under FDA investigation for how they absorb into and affect our body and skin.
To be honest, I never thought to question what was inside that goopy white lotion that stopped the sun from burning me up every summer. I never before thought that sunscreen could harm my skin or the environment. As much as I hate to think there might be something wrong with my daily staple, this investigation is highly warranted. Over the summer, I absorb to what probably amounts to 10 bottles of sunscreen. So, it’s true that I should know – what exactly is my body absorbing? My California beach days needed some revamping and, unfortunately, so did the way I viewed my sunscreen.
Sunscreen is definitely still a work in progress. Invented in 1936, the product’s main ingredients haven’t changed much since. The FDA isn’t worried about the naturally-derived ingredients, i.e. which “mineral” meaning it contains mainly zinc or other natural ingredients that stick to the top of your skin instead of absorbing in (that white after-residue that is sticky on your shoulders).
These are the ingredients the FDA is looking into:
Ingredients more common in the U.S.: ensulizole, octisalate, homosalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, oxybenzone, avobenzone.
Ingredients not as common in the U.S.: Cinoxate, dioxybenzone, meradimate, padimate O, sulisobenzone. (American Academy of Dermatology)
But even more notably, when chemical sunscreens wash off into the ocean, these chemicals can harm the coral reefs and the ocean ecosystem. That white residue might not look as cute as your summer glow, but it’s cuter than killing coral reefs and leaving them with the white residue. Another note to self: aerosol sunscreens…huge polluter. Think twice before buying just for your convenience.
I understand we all want the quick spray on application so we can get our #tan on, so here are a few tips for when buying and applicating for the rest of the summer:
1. Try buying lotion instead of aerosols, or at least use aerosols minimally.
2. Try using a mineral sunscreen for daily tasks or for when you’re just sitting out in your backyard.
3. Educate yourself – our skin is our largest organ in our body.
4. Wear mineral sunscreen during your snorkeling and diving trips to minimize your impact on the coral reefs and fish that you are there to see.
5. Always wear sunscreen on your arms, shoulders, and chest while driving and ALWAYS wear a daily sunscreen on your face to prevent burns, premature aging, and skin cancer.
The new #hotgirlsummer anthem? Reapply that sunscreen…responsibly.
By Harper Wayne
BU Student, self-published author, and an enthusiastic thrifter with a soft spot for rainy days.