Dermatologists Say These Are the Ingredients to Avoid in Sunscreen

Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl palmitate is a form of vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant. We're normally fans of these things in our routine—but when retinyl palmitate meets your skin and the sun, that's when the problems begin.

"This form of vitamin A is added to sunscreens as an antioxidant. However, it can potentially increase the risk of skin cancer when exposed to sunlight," says dermatologist, Aanand Geria, MD, who notes that animal studies have shown that, when exposed to the sun, the ingredient forms free radicals, which is quite literally the opposite reason you want antioxidants.

Avobenzone

"Avobenzone is an ingredient included in chemical sunscreens," says dermatologist, Brendan Camp, MD. "It is destabilized upon light exposure, so it is often coupled with other ingredients to maintain its efficacy at protecting skin from UV radiation. Avobenzone has been reported to be a possible cause of allergic contact dermatitis," he explains.

Oxybenzone/Octinoxate

"When at effective levels, certain chemical UV filters, namely oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been found to negatively impact coral reefs and contribute to coral bleaching," says dermatologist, Tiffany Libby, MD. "Reef-safe sunscreens are those with mineral blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are considered safer for coral reefs," she continues. Also, she points out that some sunscreens will include "reef-safe" to help guide consumers who are particularly interested in this topic.

Dr. Libby adds that oxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3, was awarded the allergen of the year in 2014 and is the most common sunscreen ingredient known to cause photoallergic contact dermatitis.

Homosalate

Homosalate is a commonly used chemical in sunscreens and other skin care products containing SPF, which helps prevent the absorption of the sun's most harmful rays. But it's also potentially an endocrine disruptor which some studies suggest could impact the hormones. "Homosalate has been linked to skin allergies and hormone disruption," Dr. Geria says.

Methylisothiazolinone

Methylisothiazolinone is an ingredient seen in countless skincare products, due to its efficacy as a preservative. While it preserves the shelf-life of some products, it's not great for sensitive skin. "This ingredient can cause allergic reactions for some people, particularly those with sensitive skin," Dr. Geria says.

Fragrance

Dermatologist, Karen Kagha, MD, recommends that those with sensitive skin should opt for sunscreen without fragrance as this can be a common allergen. "I also prefer those with sensitive skin to use mineral-based sunscreen over chemical sunscreen (chemical sunscreens can also be an allergen)," she adds.