What is Oxybenzone? & Safer Alternatives

While oxybenzone is commonly used to effectively filter UVA / UVB rays, environmental experts cite oxybenzone as a catalyst in coral bleaching and accumulation of toxic levels in human & marine life.

 

What is Oxybenzone?

Oxybenzone is a benzophenone derivative — it causes photochemical excitation and absorption of energy as a result of UVB and UVA II ray absorption.

 

What is meant by this scientific jargon may be esoteric, but the key takeaway is: oxybenzone is detrimental to both you, and the environment.

 

It is a naturally occurring chemical found in a variety of flowering plants, and is an active ingredient in most commonly found sunscreens; approximately 80% of chemical sunscreens contain oxybenzone. Its primary function in sunscreens is to absorb harmful UV lights — while it does do a good job at that, research has shown that it is absorbed into the skin and subsequently stays in our bodies for unknown periods of time.

 

The EWG has rated oxybenzone as an 8 on their toxicity rating scale — implicating that it is one of the most toxic ingredients found in cosmetic products today. Both the EWG and other prolific toxicology experts have pointed towards signs of the compound as carcinogenic; being linked to hormonal disruption in humans, potentially damaging cells, and leading to skin cancer.

 

Oxybenzone & Environmental Concerns

Coral bleaching is defined by the loss of a coral’s bright and vibrant colors, shifting into white. How does this relate to oxybenzone?

 

For a start, oxybenzone contributes largely by essentially turning the water around corals toxic. Studies have shown that oxybenzone exhibits DNA damaging characteristics towards young coral reefs, stunting their growth and development. While this does not directly lead to coral bleaching, it definitely makes them more susceptible to it. Not just this, oxybenzone leads to stress in the corals’ symbiotic partners; algae. Dormant viral infections in algae are awoken, subsequently leading to the expulsion of algae by the corals. This then leads to coral bleaching due to a lack of algae. If all this isn’t enough, the chemical has also been shown to cause corals to make an enlarged skeleton and to become encased in it — researchers state that oxybenzone is “a skeletal endocrine disruptor” in coral.

 

How does oxybenzone reach the ocean in the first place? The chemical enters the ocean whenever we swim with sunscreens containing the chemical on our skin. Not just this, it also enters the ocean whenever wastewater is drained from our homes after bathing whilst wearing the sunscreen in question.

 

Which Personal Care Products Contain Oxybenzone?

Sunscreen products are not the only off-the-shelf products found that contains oxybenzone. The prevalence of this toxic substance is rather mind-boggling; this is a small excerpt of the list of personal care products to look out for that contain oxybenzone.

 

Hair:

  • Cleanser
  • Conditioner
  • Hair Spray
  • Shaving Cream
  • Hair Removal Waxes

Nails:

  • Nail Glue
  • Nail Polish
  • Polish Remover
  • Cuticle Treatment

Makeup:

  • Eye Liner
  • Brow Liner
  • Lip Gloss
  • Lip Balm
  • Lipstick
  • Concealer
  • Foundation
  • Facial Powder
  • Makeup Remover

Skin:

  • Body Oil
  • Moisturizer
  • Foot Odor Control
  • Bar Soap
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Liquid Hand Soap
  • Anti Aging

Oral Care/Hygiene:

  • Breath Fresheners
  • Mouthwash
  • Tooth Whitening
  • Toothpaste

Babies:

  • Baby Bubble Bath
  • Baby Lotion
  • Baby Soap
  • Diaper Cream
  • Baby Wipes

For men:

  • Body Spray
  • Antiperspirant/Deodorant
  • Hair Loss Treatment
  • Shampoo
  • Beard Care
  • After Shave

Safer & Alternative Sunscreen Ingredients to Look for

Non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide are UV resistant alternatives to oxybenzone that are recognized as GRASE, and acronym for “generally recognized as safe and effective” by the FDA.

 

Not just this, they come with a variety of other benefits as well. Zinc oxide has antimicrobial properties, which can help wounds heal more quickly. Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are non-comedogenic, meaning that they are oil-free and will not clog up your pores — making them an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.

 

Whenever shopping for sunscreen products from now on, be sure to look out for labels and products containing oxybenzone; avoid them for the sake of both you, and the environment. All of our Black Girl Sunscreen formulas are created with these exact same safer alternatives to provide exceptional sun protection for both the skin and the environment. Switch to a oxybenzone-free sunscreen today.

Shontay Lundy, creator and founder of BlackGirlSunscreen

Shontay Lundy loves to be outside. She often hikes, practices yoga and walks her bulldog on the beach. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find a sunscreen that would protect her from the sun without cramping her style. Like many women with dark skin tones, applying sunscreen meant dealing with the white residue left behind by traditional products—and it wasn’t a good look.

 

“I knew there had to be something that could work,” said Shontay. “And I knew that if I could figure out how to make it happen, it’d be a game changer.”

 

Armed with an MBA and a personal vendetta against this unappealing residue, the New York-raised businesswoman started looking for a solution. She discovered that there were ingredients that could boost melanin production, offer proper UV protection and be fully absorbed by the skin. So, she worked with skin care experts to create BlackGirlSunscreen.

 

“I named my product BlackGirlSunscreen because there are a lot of people who still think having dark skin means that you have full sun protection. While we do have more protection than people with lighter skin tones, we’re still at risk for burns, cosmetic sun damage and—most importantly—skin cancer,” said Shontay.

At BlackGirlSunscreen, our mission is to educate customers on safe skin practices and sun protection. We also want to provide an answer to a question we hear far too often, “Do black people need sunscreen?” Yes!

 

Like many African-American women, Shontay likes to go to the beach, hike and practice yoga. As a sun lover, she thinks the sun should be safely enjoyed by all people. However, as an African American woman she has experienced difficulty in purchasing sunscreen. The tale-tale white cast that can be visible on the skin and the general lack of available products, stirred in her a desire to create a product that can be used by everyone and has benefits to those of a darker hue.

 

She developed the idea for this sunscreen, after completing her undergrad in upstate NY and her graduate degree in Miami FL. The realization that she was avoiding going out in the sun or hiding under an umbrella sparked this endeavor. The desire to get out from under the umbrella caused her to start looking at ingredients that would be nourishing to people of all skin types as well as melanin boosting.

 

Shontay wanted to create a product that would completely absorb, leaving no residue. And a product that would bolster the skin’s defense through health and proper UV protection. Shontay has transplanted several times on her journey from New York to Miami to Los Angeles and back to Florida. In her travels she worked on a formula that would nourish as well as protect and developed ties to people who could help create this company.

 

At BlackGirlSunscreen, we want to educate and empower our customers to protect and nurture their skin no matter what shade it comes in. The common misnomer that black people do not need sunscreen due to higher levels of melanin is sadly false. BGS wants you to be smart, protect your skin, and come out from the shade. Bye bye umbrella!