Sunscreen Showdown: Ingredient Deep Dive

It’s summertime! Whether you get to travel on vacation or enjoy a staycation this summer, almost all of us will need to remember to pack sunscreen in our suitcase or tote bag to protect us from sunburn during this especially hot and high-UV time of the year. 

As you start preparing for your outdoor adventures this summer, remember to be mindful about the sunscreen that you purchase. Sunscreen ingredients can impact both our bodies and our environment, so it is important to choose one that has a lower impact and less harmful ingredients. 

The UV rays emitted from the sun have 3 forms: UVA, UVB and UVC rays. Due to the ozone layer, the UVC rays don’t reach the earth’s surface, although there are artificial sources of UVC radiation. UVA and UVB rays are the ones that affect us when we are enjoying time outside – UVA rays can reach the middle layer of our skin (may cause skin aging), and UVB rays reach the outer layer of the skin (may cause skin cancer and most sunburns). Sunscreen can help protect you from both UVA and UVB rays and prevent you from getting sunburns, sun poisoning, and skin cancer.

The active ingredients in sunscreen work to protect you from the sun, while the inactive ingredients in sunscreen have other formula functions, such as binding agents and moisturizers. Like all products, be familiar with the ingredients and pay attention to how your skin reacts. This makes it easier to find what works best for you, and that is different for everyone!

We find it helpful to review EWG's Skin Deep ratings for products we use on our skin, like cosmetics, soaps, and sunscreens. EWG (Environmental Working Group) is an organization dedicated to empowering people through research, allowing consumers to make informed choices about the products, foods, and drinks they use and consume. The organization rates products and ingredients on a scale of 1 (best) to 10 (worst), and we have compiled these ratings below for a popular conventional sunscreen, Banana Boat Sport SPF 50, and our new favorite sunscreen, All Good Untinted SPF 50 and All Good Tinted SPF 50. A big thanks to Daria Baker for all her research and writing on these ingredient comparisons! 

Banana Boat Sport 50 SPF Sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.7%, Homosalate 9.0%, Octisalate 4.5%, Octocrylene 6.5%

Other Ingredients: Water, Glyceryl Monostearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Packaging and end of life: Plastic tube and lid that can be recycled

Banana Boat Sport Ingredients

Function

EWG rating

Avobenzone 2.7 %

Protection from UV rays

2

Homosalate 9.0%

Protection from UV rays

4

Octisalate 4.5%

Stabilizes avobenzone and results in longer-lasting sun protection

3

Octocrylene 6.5%

Protection from UV rays 

3

Water

Improves the effectiveness of sunscreen

1

Glyceryl Stearate

Lipid; Surfactant and emulsifying agent

1

Peg-100 Stearate

Emulsifier and emollient

3

Cetyl Alcohol

Emulsifier

1

Cetyl Dimethicone

Increases the water resistance and spreadability of UV filters

1

Propylene Glycol

Skin conditioning agent

3

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative

4

Caprylyl Glycol

Skin conditioning agent; has some antimicrobial activity

1

Vp/Eicosene Copolymer

Helps the sunscreen adhere better to skin and resist breaking down in water

1

Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer

Improves the water and wear resistance of sunscreen

1

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient, emulsifier, and thickener

1

Sodium Polyacrylate

Thickener

2

Chlorphenesin

Synthetic preservative

3

Xanthan Gum

Viscosity agent

1

Disodium Edta  (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)

Protects the integrity of sunscreen from undergoing unwanted consistency changes, pH changes, odor changes, or texture changes

1

Fragrance

Undisclosed mixture of various scent and ingredients chemicals

8

Tocopheryl Acetate

Protection from UV rays

3

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Hydrating and soothing properties for the skin

1

All Good Untinted SPF 50 Sunscreen

Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 25% (Non-nanoparticle)

Inactive Ingredients: Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax), Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flowers infused in Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Non-GMO Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Packaging and end of life: 1 oz. metal tin that can be reused, repurposed, or recycled

All Good Untinted Ingredients

Function

EWG’s Skin Deep Rating

Zinc oxide (25% non-nanoparticle, active ingredient)

Inorganic oxide; colorant and protection from UV rays

2

Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil

Skin-conditioning agent

1

Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax)

Helps retain moisture and protects skin from UV rays

1

Organic Calendula Officinalis (Pot Marigold) Flowers infused in Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil

Helps protect skin from UV rays

1

Non-GMO Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Antioxidant; helps moisturize the skin

1

All Good Tinted SPF 50 Sunscreen

Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 25% (Non-nanoparticle)

Inactive Ingredients: Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Organic Calendula Officinalis Flowers* infused in Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Octyldodecanol, Trihydroxystearin, Non-GMO Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Yellow Iron Oxide.

*Certified organic ingredients

Packaging and end of life: 1 oz. metal tin that can be reused, repurposed, or recycled

All Good Tinted Ingredients:

Function

EWG rating

Zinc oxide (25% non-nanoparticle, active ingredient)

Inorganic oxide; colorant and protection from UV rays

2

Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil

Skin-conditioning agent

1

Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax)

Helps retain moisture and protects skin from UV rays

1

Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flowers infused in Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil

Helps protect skin from UV rays

1

Iron Oxides (CI 77491)

Colorant

2

Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Colorant

2

Octyldodecanol

Emulsifier

1

Trihydroxystearin

Emollient; softens or soothes the skin

1

Non-GMO Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Antioxidant; helps moisturize the skin

1

Yellow Iron Oxide

Colorant

2


To find out how your favorite sunscreen ranks on the EWG’s list, check out the EWG Guide to Sunscreen. Everyone’s skin is different, and choosing the right sunscreen is up to you! The most important thing is to protect your skin while you are out in the sun. Happy summer, everyone!

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