Potentially Dangerous or Controversial Sunscreen Ingredients

At Sun Milk, we believe sunscreen should do more than just block UV rays — it should protect your skin without harming your health or the planet.

While sunscreen is essential, what’s inside the bottle matters. Many mainstream brands still rely on outdated chemical formulas linked to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and environmental damage. This guide breaks down the worst offenders and shows you how to choose better.

Understanding the Risks

Chemical UV filters are often absorbed into the bloodstream, interfere with hormones, and trigger allergies. Some break down into carcinogens. Others damage coral reefs and marine ecosystems. If you care about clean living and clean oceans, these are the ingredients to avoid.

The Dirty Dozen: Harmful Sunscreen Ingredients

Oxybenzone
Hormone disruptor, allergy trigger, absorbed through skin
Causes coral bleaching, toxic to marine life
Banned in Hawai’i and U.S. Virgin Islands; Not GRASE by FDA
Still found in ~13% of U.S. sunscreens

Octinoxate
Disrupts thyroid hormones, skin allergen
Harms coral reefs and marine ecosystems
Banned in Hawai’i; Not GRASE by FDA; Allowed up to 10% in EU
Still common in chemical sunscreens

Octocrylene
Breaks into benzophenone (possible carcinogen), skin allergen
Accumulates in marine species, coral stress
Under FDA/EU review; banned in some areas
Found in 2,400+ products

Homosalate
Hormone disruption, absorbed systemically
Potentially toxic to marine life
EU recommends max 1.4%; FDA allows 15%
Common in U.S. products

Octisalate
Highly absorbable, potential allergen
Possible reef impact under review
Not GRASE without more data
Used as a secondary UVB filter

Avobenzone
Unstable in sunlight, can trigger allergic reactions, possible hormone disruptor
Breaks into toxic byproducts; listed in reef bans
Banned in Hawai’i (2023); Not GRASE by FDA
Still one of the most used UVA filters

PABA
Severe allergen, may become carcinogenic under UV
Declared unsafe by FDA
Rarely used anymore

Padimate O
Estrogenic activity, forms free radicals, DNA damage under UV
Toxic to coral
Not GRASE by FDA
Less common today

Retinyl Palmitate
May promote skin tumors under sunlight, forms free radicals
Under FDA review
Still used in some “anti-aging” sunscreens

Parabens
Endocrine disruptors, common allergens
Found in fish and water, disrupts wildlife hormones
Banned/restricted in EU and California; still legal in U.S.
Declining, but not gone

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
Strong allergen; “Allergen of the Year” in 2013
Toxic to aquatic life at high doses
Banned in EU for leave-on products
Still found in some U.S. sunscreens

Benzene (contaminant)
Known carcinogen linked to leukemia (not added intentionally)
Not permitted by FDA; found in recalled products
Detected in ~27% of tested sunscreens

The Sun Milk Alternative: 5 Simple Ingredients

Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil
Naturally moisturizing with SPF 2–8
Lightweight and non-comedogenic

Organic Unrefined Red Raspberry Seed Oil
High antioxidant content with SPF 28–50
Offers broad-spectrum UV protection

Organic Cold-Pressed Sweet Almond Oil
Natural SPF around 5
Rich in vitamins A and E for healthy skin

Non-Nano, Undercoated Zinc Oxide Powder
SPF 55, safe for reefs and sensitive skin
Provides a physical UV barrier — never absorbs into the bloodstream

Organic Unrefined Carrot Seed Oil
SPF between 38–40
Known for regeneration and sun defense

Our Promise to You

We don’t compromise. No toxins. No hormone disruptors. No synthetic junk. Just clean, safe, and effective sun protection crafted for you and the planet.

Better for your skin. Better for the planet.

Frequently asked questions

Our sunscreen is made with 100% natural ingredients, free from synthetic chemicals, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Unlike 97% of the sunscreens on the market, Sun Milk is 100% carcinogen-free. Sun Milk is simply 4 natural oils and non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide, which, unlike normal zinc oxide, is clean, healthy, and good for your skin and body. Even our production process, storage, and bottling is cleaner than any other sunscreen on the market—no plastic and no aluminum, ever.

Yes! Our sunscreen is formulated with gentle, non-irritating ingredients, making it suitable for sensitive skin. It is free from harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives that can cause irritation. Always perform a patch test before applying to larger areas. All of our ingredients are also non-comedogenic, so Sun Milk is wonderful for your face as well.

Absolutely! Our sunscreen is 100% reef-safe. It contains no oxybenzone or octinoxate, two harmful chemicals known to damage coral reefs. We only use natural oils that are safe for both your skin and the environment. Not only is Sun Milk reef-safe but it is “human safe.” Many “reef-safe” sunscreens still have multiple carcinogens in them, Sun Milk does not.

Our sunscreen is broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It is formulated with mineral filters like non-nano uncoated zinc oxide, which is proven to provide effective sun protection, and every oil that we use has its own SPF rating. We recommend reapplying every one to two hours or more frequently if you're swimming or sweating. See Directions of Use on website.

We offer an SPF 15 and an SPF 30. SPF 30 offers good protection for everyday use, while SPF 15 is great for someone that already has some tan or is simply looking to get a bit of color. Also, it’s been proven that anything above SPF 30 is simply marketing, so we focused on the two SPFs most commonly used. Remember to reapply regularly, especially if you’re outdoors for extended periods.

For best results, apply a generous amount of sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin 15–20 minutes before sun exposure. Be sure to reapply every one to two hours, and after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.

Yes, our sunscreen is safe for children ages 6 months and older. We recommend
you check with your pediatrician before using any new products on infants under 6
months of age.

Mineral sunscreens leave a white residue. Tallow, beeswax, and shea butter sunscreens are hard to rub in and often leave a residue. Sun Milk was developed and tested to do away with these issues. Once you “shake to milk” your Sun Milk, it will come out white, but as you will see and unlike our competitors, Sun Milk blends perfectly and easily onto your skin leaving no residue. Many of our customers have said they’ll put it on just because of how amazing it makes their skin look and feel.

Yes! We are proudly cruelty-free. We never test our products on animals, and we ensure that our suppliers adhere to cruelty-free practices as well.

Our sunscreen is designed to be gentle on sensitive skin, but we always recommend consulting your dermatologist before trying new products, especially if you have a specific skin condition. Read through our extensive ingredient breakdown as we list all of the health benefits for each of our ingredients—you will likely find that Sun Milk is not only great for sun protection but will also help with any skin ailment you may have.

No, we never use artificial fragrances, dyes, or preservatives. Our sunscreen is scented only with natural essential oils that provide a subtle, refreshing fragrance.

Sun Milk is naturally not waterproof. The reason for this is simple: in order to create a "waterproof sunscreen," harsh chemicals have to be added—something we would never do. That said, Sun Milk is an oil-based sunscreen, so you will know when it’s no longer on your skin, and then you simply reapply.

Yes, our sunscreen is non-comedogenic and is safe and effective for both face and body. We will be offering a formula designed for facial use with added hydration or mattifying effects, depending on your skin type, in the near future. This was born out of requests from our clients for a "face-only" Sun Milk. Coming soon.

Yes, launched and announced—We call it SUNTAN

Sunscreen effectiveness can decline after the expiration date, especially in terms of SPF protection. We always recommend using sunscreen within the shelf life indicated on the packaging for maximum effectiveness.

You can buy our sunscreen directly on our website, or you can find our products
in select retailers and health stores. Please visit our “Where to Buy” page for more
details.

Yes! We offer seasonal promotion first-time customer discounts, and bundle
offers. Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media to stay updated on
our latest deals.

Yes, we are committed to sourcing our ingredients responsibly. We work closely with suppliers who prioritize sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring that all ingredients are harvested in an environmentally friendly manner, never using plastic or aluminum. We are focused on bringing the cleanest and healthiest products to market, so we never use plastic or aluminum in any of our processes. All of our ingredients are 100% natural, 100% organic, and 100% sourced and made in the USA.

If you experience any irritation, redness, or other reactions, stop using the product immediately and consult with a healthcare provider. If you have concerns or need assistance, our customer support team is here to help.

No, FDA approval is only necessary for man-made ingredients. All of our ingredients are natural and thus do not need FDA approval, but more importantly, our ingredients are proven by hundreds of years of use..

All of our ingredients have a natural SPF range; for example, our Coconut Oil has an SPF of 2–8, while Carrot Seed Oil has an SPF of 38–40. Only the non-nano zinc oxide has a static SPF of 55, while the other four ingredients have a natural range; hence the “ish.” Please see our “Full Ingredients” list for a complete breakdown.