Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals in Sunscreens
Why chemical filters like oxybenzone are more dangerous than you think. Common Chemical UV Filters to Avoid- - Oxybenzone - Avobenzone - Octinoxate - Homosalate - Octocrylene These chemicals are absorbed through the skin and have been detected in blood, urine, and even breast milk — sometimes days or weeks after a single use. How They Disrupt Hormones - Check to see if this correlates with a known Health Condition of yours or someone You love. Oxybenzone - Acts like a xenoestrogen (a synthetic compound that mimics estrogen) - Can bind to estrogen receptors, throwing off hormone balance - Linked to lower testosterone in adolescent boys - Associated with endometriosis, fertility issues, and earlier puberty in women Avobenzone - Degrades quickly in sunlight unless stabilized with other chemicals (like octocrylene) - Can form reactive oxygen species that damage cells and DNA - Disrupts the thyroid axis, affecting metabolism and energy regulation Octinoxate - Mimics estrogen and can interfere with progesterone and testosterone - Alters signaling in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis - Shown in animal studies to cause reproductive system disruption Others (like Homosalate & Octocrylene) - Linked to androgen suppression (lowering DHEA and testosterone) - Disrupt thyroid and adrenal hormone production - Increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body These are not just “inactive ingredients.”They're bioactive, endocrine-disrupting, and often unregulated in terms of long-term human exposure. Even small, repeated exposures can add up — especially for children, teens, and women already dealing with hormone imbalances. Do you know of someone that uses lots of Sunscreen or regularly that suffers from any of these?