Sunscreen Ingredients we should avoid

 Summer is now almost here. I also take skin care seriously as much as food I eat. It got me attention when I know the truth about sunscreen. I used to only care about the number of SPF and the title of the sunscreen. But there are more important facts to know about the ingredients. According to EWG (environmental working group), lot of sunscreen lotion contain ingredients may damage DNA and skin cell and disrupt the body's hormone systems, some even may speed the development of skin tumors.

Some of ingredients used for 'chemical' sunscreen to avoid:

• Oxybenzone (notorious hormone disruptor)
• Octyl methoxycinnimate (hormone disruptor)
• 4-MBC (hormone disruptor)
• Retinyl Palmitate or Retinol * ( form of vitamin A = when applied to the skin in the presence of light, it can form free radicals that damage DNA and may develop skin tumors and lesions)

Better choice of ingredients for sunscreen:

• Mineral sunscreen contains UVA protection, which does not appear to penetrate the skin
• Zinc oxide (mineral sunscreen)
• Titanium dioxide (mineral sunscreen) **
• Avobenzone (3% for the best UVA protection)
• Mexoryl SX (ecamsule) (European chemical sunscreen formula)
• Tinosorb S and M (European chemical sunscreen formula)

Sunscreens Exposed: 9 surprising truths | EWG's 2011 Sunscreen Report | EWG's Skin Deep

*  Contradicting to the fact that Retinol or Retinyl palmitate is used in anti-aging cream to reduce wrinkles and sun spots and increase collagen to regain elasticity of your skin. However, it can't be used in the presence of light even with sunscreen. If you are using Retinol skin care product, use only at night and have very good sun protection during the day.

** Titanium dioxide controversy: although Titanium dioxide is listed as safe mineral, the form of ultrafine or namo particles (less than 0.1 microns = 100 nanometers(nm)) can penetrate the cells, leading to photocatalysis within the cell, causing DNA damage after exposure to sunlight. Coarse (less then 10 microns = 10000 nm) or fine (less than 2.5 microns = 2500nm) particles are safe and effective at deflecting and absorbing UV light, protecting the skin.

 This one is what I start to use this summer. Aubrey Organics Natural Sun SPF 30+ Unscented for sensitive skin and children 
So far, the coverage is very good. There is no typical sunscreen smell that I don't like. Lotion is kind of heavy. If you apply on your face and take picture with flash, I think the face will show very white......
There is same thing with SPF15. It is little more creamier than 30+ and less paste like.