It’s a no-brainer that sunscreen is an extremely important part of everyone’s daily skincare routine, but what specific types of sunscreen should you be using? Natural sunscreens have become more widely produced and available at affordable prices, making this the clear choice. Below are a few reasons why you should choose a natural sunscreen.

They don’t contain harmful toxins. Some sunscreens contain ingredients such as retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate (derivatives of Vitamin A that could speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions) or ozybenzone (could disrupt hormones by penetrating the skin and entering the bloodstream).  Instead, look for mineral-based ingredients that won’t penetrate the skin, like zinc or titanium oxide.

Natural sunscreens often are unscented. Fragrances in sunscreens are often petroleum-based and can lead to organ toxicity and allergies. People with sensitive skin or skin that burns/breaks out easily should avoid anything with fragrances as well.

You’re helping the environment. Sunscreens that don’t contain these harmful toxins won’t get released into the environment. Any mineral that is harmful to humans to put on their skin also is generally harmful to wildlife and their ecosystems. You could also take into consideration that sunscreens with natural ingredients are produced in a more eco-friendly way as well, but this isn’t proven yet.