The Ingredients You Want — and Maybe Don’t — in Your Sunscreen

Is it even summer if we’re not talking about sunscreen? And these days, it seems that people on TikTok have a lot to say about it — including that you should be skipping sunscreen altogether. (Yikes.) And, in case it needs to be said: “Skin cancer is the number one most common cancer diagnosed in the US, and sunscreen has been proven to significantly reduce your chances of getting skin cancer in multiple large studies,” says Scott Braunstein, MD, national medical director of Sollis Health.

There’s also a lot of confusion about the ingredients in sunscreen. So, we asked Braunstein what we really need to know. 

What ingredients should I look for — and avoid —  in sunscreens? 

Many experts — including the American Academy of Dermatology — say that the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use. Still, if you’re focused on the ingredient list, consider…

Choosing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. As Braunstein explains, these are ingredients used in physical blockers, which are also known as physical or mineral sunscreens. He says they reflect and absorb the sun’s rays (compared to chemical sunscreens, which generally absorb them). Plus, they’re a good choice for sensitive skin — in adults and kids — since they tend to cause less irritation. 

They reflect the sun’s rays and are a good choice for sensitive skin — in adults and kids — since they tend to cause less irritation.

Skipping oxybenzone. It's one of at least 12 ingredients (including homosalate, octocrylene, and octinoxate) that the FDA has said it’s looking into. But oxybenzone is likely the most well-known, partly because it's been linked to various adverse effects like skin irritation and potential hormone disruption. 

However, Braunstein says "there is currently no conclusive evidence that [it's] harmful to humans." And, overall, most experts would weigh the benefits versus the risks here.