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!