B Is For...Bye-Bye Benzophenone: The Not-So-Sunny Side of Sunscreen!
- Miss Sparkles
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to the first in the ‘B’ series of Beauty Baddies Busted! - where we shine a sparkly spotlight on the sneaky ingredients that might look innocent on the label… but aren’t so kind to growing skin.
Today’s baddie? Benzophenone – and it's not-so-sparkly sidekicks, Oxybenzone and Benzophenone-3.
They sound like science lab villains (because they kind of are) and oooh they love to hide in sunscreen and makeup. Sneaky little...
💡 What Is Benzophenone?
Benzophenone and its not so clean (more mean) pals, is a chemical sunscreen filter used to block UV rays and stop products from breaking down in sunlight.
Sounds helpful, right? Wrong and here’s the not-so-sparkly truth:
They may protect the product, but not your body – Wait, What?!
Yep you read that right, and this is especially true for growing, sensitive skin.
⚠️ Why We’re Saying “Bye-Bye” to Benzophenone
Oh so many reasons....
🚫 Hormone Disruptor - Can mess with your body’s natural hormones - this is not what we want for any of us, but especially not our little ones!
🌊 Reef Harmer - One of the chemicals linked to coral reef damage. (It’s even banned in some places for this very reason!)
🫣 Skin Irritant - May cause rashes or allergic reactions, especially on sensitive skin.
✨ What to Use Instead?:
Don’t worry, you can still protect your skin from the sun safely.
Look for mineral sunscreens made with:
✅ Zinc Oxide✅ Titanium Dioxide
These sit on top of the skin (instead of soaking in) and are gentle, effective, and reef-safe.
🧐 But What Is Titanium Dioxide And Is It Safe?
Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV blocker that reflects the sun's rays rather than absorbing them.
We will cover Titanium Dioxide in more detail later in the series, but for now the short answer is :✅ In non-nano, lotion form, it’s generally considered safe.
🧪 The Magic Word Here Is: Non-Nano
Non-nano = particles too big to get into your skin or bloodstream = ✅
Nano (yucky) = super small particles that might be absorbed or inhaled = 🚫
Avoid: sprays or powders because inhaling these particles isn’t ideal, especially for kids.
🧴 What About Zinc Oxide?
While titanium dioxide is often used in mineral sunscreens, it only provides partial UV protection. Zinc oxide, on the other hand, offers broad-spectrum coverage (UVA and UVB). According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), zinc oxide is the soundest sunscreen choice.
✅ Zinc oxide (non-nano) is also a mineral UV blocker and is considered to be one of the safest sun protection ingredients available.
It is (drum roll please):
Gentle on sensitive skin (it’s even in nappy creams!)
Non-irritating & unlikely to cause allergies
Broad spectrum & protects from UVA & UVB
Reef-safe & eco-friendly
Non-toxic & hormone-safe
⚠️ Watch out for “clear zinc” — it might mean nano particles. Check that label!
🌞 Safer Sunscreen Ingredient Checklist
✅ Better Choices | 🚫 Ingredients to Avoid |
Non-Nano Zinc Oxide | Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) |
Non-Nano Titanium Dioxide | Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) |
Fragrance-Free | Homosalate |
Cream or lotion (not sprays) | Avobenzone |
Reef-safe / Mineral-based | Octocrylene |
Water-resistant (for swimming) | Parabens, synthetic preservatives |
👩⚕️ Bottom Line for Parents
Titanium Dioxide and especially Zinc Oxide are generally considered safer alternatives to chemical sunscreens – especially when non- nano and used as lotions, not sprays or powders.
Look for:
Non-nano mineral sunscreen
No harsh chemicals
Kid-safe labels
But Do Brands Have to Say “Nano” On Their Label?
Nope. Most countries don’t require it.
So remember:
If it says “non-nano” – great!
If it doesn’t mention it at all – be cautious.
If it says “clear zinc” or “invisible formula” – likely, you guessed it - nano (but not always)!
But you can be proactive sparkle detectives and check the brand’s website or ask customer service because many companies will proudly tell you if their product is non-nano.
Some Sunscreen Brands That You May Like To Explore:
Badger Kids Sunscreen Cream SPF 40
Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (22.5%)
Why we love it:✅ Organic ingredients✅ Reef-safe & biodegradable
Website: Badger Mineral Sunscreens with Zinc Oxide - Reef Safe Sunscreens
NOTE: Badger offer a 'clear Zinc sunscreen' that is non-nano and they have a whole section dedicated to explaining this:
This is what they say bout their clear zinc sunscreen:
'Clear zinc oxide is a specialized type of mineral zinc oxide powder whose particles have a porous surface texture, like a sea sponge, so they don't reflect as much visible light as other zinc oxide particles and are therefore less whitening on the skin. The large particle size of this 'clear zinc' oxide gives it the same outstanding safety and efficacy of standard non-nano zinc oxide meaning it won't absorb into your skin, it won't harm the environment, and it provides excellent UVA and UVB protection.
Thinksun SPF 50+ Sunscreen
Active ingredient: Non-nano zinc oxide (20%)
Why we love it:✅ Broad-spectrum protection✅ Water-resistant (80 minutes)✅ Free of parabens, phthalates, and fragrance
Website: Kids Suncare – thinksun
Raw Elements Kids SPF 30+
Active ingredient: Zinc oxide (non-nano)
Why we love it:✅ Reef-safe and plastic-free tin✅ Very water-resistant✅ Made with food-grade ingredients
Website: Baby + Kids – Raw ElementsUSA
Bonus for Tweens:
If you're looking for a more grown-up option for tweens that’s still safer than chemical sunscreen:
ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 https://attitudeliving.com
💖 Miss Sparkles Says:
“Always read your sunscreen label! If you spot words like Benzophenone or Oxybenzone it might be time to swap it out. Protecting your skin should never mean risking your health — or our oceans!”
Lots to discuss on this weeks blog!
And remember guidelines change all the time and from country to country so always do your research!
EWG is a useful tool and stands for the Environmental Working Group - a non-profit organisation in the U.S. that researches and educates the public about environmental health and consumer product safety.
BUT:
Some UK/EU-specific products or formulations may not be listed.
The EU/UK cosmetics regulations ban or restrict many chemicals that the U.S. still allows.
So, products sold in the UK often have stricter formulation requirements, especially for hormone-disrupting or carcinogenic ingredients.
While the EWG is still helpful for ingredient research, here are some UK-based or EU-trusted resources to look at:
Think Dirty App (international)
Cosmetic Ingredients Database (Cosing) – the official EU database of approved and banned ingredients: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/cosmetics/cosing
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics UK – emerging groups focused on UK awareness
No excuses now Sparkle Detectives! :)
📬 Don’t miss the next post in the ‘B’ series of Beauty Baddies Busted!
Can you guess what the next baddie might be?
Subscribe now and glow the safe way, one ingredient at a time! 🌈💌
Disclaimer:
The product recommendations shared in this post are based on personal research and opinions only. I’m not a medical or skincare professional, and every child’s skin is unique. Always check ingredient lists carefully and do a patch test before trying a new product—especially for kids with sensitive skin or allergies. If you have concerns about any skincare product or ingredient, please consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist. I don’t receive compensation from these brands—just sharing the love for safer, gentler choices!
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