Sunscreen protects the skin by either absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet rays that can cause sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer. Most sunscreen formulas fall into two categories: chemical and mineral.
Chemical sunscreens form a thin protective film to absorb UV radiation. They use ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone and octocrylene to absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat before it reaches the skin.
Mineral sunscreens rely on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to physically block UV rays from reaching the skin
More Americans are questioning the safety of everyday products, driven by a growing distrust in conventional health advice, pharmaceutical companies and federal regulators. Among them are supporters of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again movement, who have helped revive skepticism of sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone and titanium dioxide.
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Health professionals warn that anti-sunscreen messaging can be harmful for the public because skin cancer remains one of the most common types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Experts say sunscreen is one of the most effective tools for prevention.
