Harmful Ingredients In Sunscreen And How To Prevent Sun Damage Naturally

I used to spend a LOT of time in the sun. Between competitive swimming and water polo in high school, life guarding nearly every summer as a teenager, and years of shameless sun bathing in an all-out effort to become the tannest version of myself possible, I’ve definitely had more than my fair share of sun exposure.

Looking back on my years of reckless sun worshiping, I kick myself. Not just for spending more than a healthy amount of time in the sun, but more so for not paying any attention to all of the harmful ingredients in sunscreen that I regularly applied to my body and face (thinking it was the healthy thing to do).

That’s what I thought too. So I spent the majority of my life covering myself in misty clouds of chemical-laden aerosol sunscreen spray in an effort to prevent sun damage and skin cancer. Back then, I had no idea that everything I had been told about sunscreen and sun exposure was wrong.

All of us have bought into the anti-sun hype at some point or in some way. We’ve been religiously slathering on the ‘screen and spending more time indoors than ever before, yet skin cancer rates continue to skyrocket.

We live in a society that’s civilized beyond common sense. And instead of taking a reasonable and sane approach to subjects like food, medicine, and sun exposure, we rely on quick fixes and listen to what “experts” say we should do to be healthy without ever digging any deeper or figuring out what our bodies intuitively need.

Many of these quick fixes have been created with a greater interest in our bank accounts than in our health. And they just can’t compete with a good ol’ fashioned natural approach to health and wellness. Conventional sunscreen is one of the quick fixes I’m talking about. It really isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it’s a lot worse (and more dangerous) than it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why:

• Sunlight is good for you (in moderation). Unprotected sun exposure stimulates Vitamin D production within the body. Vitamin D is a big deal. Trust me — you don’t want to be deficient. Sunscreen blocks the UVB rays that stimulate Vitamin D production. Constant use of sunscreen = not enough Vitamin D.
• No sunburn DOES NOT = no sun damage. Sunscreen is great at blocking the UVB rays that cause us to burn (and produce cancer-fighting Vitamin D). But it does almost nothing to protect against UVA rays, which penetrate much deeper than UVB rays, damaging skin cell membranes and the DNA inside.
• Most conventional sunscreens contain harmful ingredients. They often contain a number of harsh, hormone disrupting and cancer-causing ingredients that we thoughtlessly slather all over the largest organ on our body before venturing out into the sun. And ingredients like Oxybenzone, Retinyl Palmitate, and Titanium Oxide aren’t the only culprits. According to Chris Kresser, “For one sunscreen that was analyzed for aluminum concentration, a single application would provide 200mg of aluminum. (1) Another concern is that, as an oxidant, the aluminum in sunscreen might contribute to oxidative damage in the skin, increasing the risk of cancer.”

Sunshine is indeed a wonderful thing, but too much of it can also be damaging. We all have occasions that require us to spend prolonged amounts of time in the sun. And when covering up or finding shade isn’t an option, using a non-toxic sunscreen that offers sun protection is definitely the way to go.

Because sunscreen isn’t inherently bad. It’s far more nuanced than that.

Since the world of “natural” sunscreens can admittedly be pretty confusing, I want to share a few basic principles I’ve found helpful when looking for a better sunscreen. 

All of these are things I’ve learned through time, experience, countless conversations with sun and skin experts (some of which you can listen to on Grounded Wellness!), and, most recently, formulating our very own tallow-based sunscreen!

What to Look For In a Truly Non-Toxic Sunscreen 

1. Sunscreen that creates a physical barrier, not a chemical one.

Chemical sunscreens are loaded with toxicity risks and are known to end up in your bloodstream. The safest sunscreens create a physical barrier that sits on your skin rather than being absorbed by it. 

Look for a rub-on, mineral sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide as the main active ingredient. It’s one of the safest and most effective ways to block both UVA and UVB rays. Choosing non-nano (rather than nano or micronized zinc oxide) is key because larger particles stay on the skin’s surface, providing better sun protection and a much lower risk of absorption.

2. Ingredients that nourish + support skin integrity.

Many so-called “clean” sunscreens (even mineral ones) are still loaded with seed oils, silicones, or synthetic fillers. This isn’t just a hormonal + toxicity concern – these ingredients can oxidize under sunlight, compromising the sunscreen’s protection and/or your skin’s health. 

Instead, choose a mineral sunscreen complemented by nourishing, whole ingredients that support your skin barrier. Things like tallow, shea butter, beeswax, and jojoba oil.

3. No synthetic fragrances or emulsifiers.

Steer clear of products that include synthetics – especially fragrance or emulsifiers. These ingredients can irritate the skin, disrupt your microbiome, and pose toxicity risks. A truly non-toxic sunscreen should smell like what it’s made of – natural oils, botanicals, and whole ingredients – not a lab-created “beach” scent.

But the most important advice I can give you is to do your own research when you’re shopping for sunscreen. Never assume a product is clean just because the label says so. Unfortunately, many brands are making false claims (or half-truths) about the safety of their products – especially in the SPF world.

That’s exactly why we formulated our Sun Cream Line with a completely different approach.

A Truly Non-Toxic Sunscreen Rooted in Ancestral Wisdom

Our Sun Cream is powered by non-nano zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection – but unlike conventional mineral sunscreens, it’s designed to act like skincare. The zinc (which, by the way, goes on almost completely transparent!) is blended with nutrient-dense animal fats and plant oils that nourish and strengthen your skin barrier while you’re in the sun, including:

• Tallow – Sun-stable and rich in skin-similar fatty acids, it’s one of the best ingredients to deeply nourish and support the skin’s structure, especially in the sun. 
• Coconut Oil + Mango Butter – Nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich moisture.
• Beeswax – Rich in vitamin A and protective against irritation, locking in moisture.
• Non-Nano Zinc Oxide – Delivers safe, effective, broad-spectrum protection without penetrating the skin.

With 9 simple ingredients (and a sold-out launch!), this is one of the products I’m most proud of. We took three years to get it right, and in my opinion, the wait was more than worth it. :)

→ SHOP: Sun Cream Line

So whether you’re spending the day at the beach, hiking, or gardening, you can enjoy time in the sun without compromising your health (or your skin barrier) in the process.

XO, 

Bethany, Founder of Primally Pure