[dynm]

The FDA did (3 days ago!) finally approve a new ingredient: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-expa...

My personal hot take is that we should all be using zinc (or titanium) oxide sunscreen which AFAICT maxes out both effectiveness and chemical safety. (And is the best for the fish?) Interestingly, these are the only ingredients that the FDA currently deems both safe and effective.

[Semaphor]

My wife is black and has sensitive skin. She once tried zinc oxide sunscreen. If one wants to be protected from the sun while cosplaying as purple monster, it's a great choice.

[culi]

This truly is the biggest drawbacks. It's almost impossible to make zinc sunscreen see-through. One technique is to micronize the zinc but this comes with its own set of risks including skin penetration and environmental risks that micronized zinc can pose to aquatic life.

I think the only solution is to embrace it. There isn't really a 100% safe sunscreen that is also invisible

[apt-apt-apt-apt]

I'm light-skin and look like a ghost with Blue Lizard. I can't imagine how ridiculous it must look on dark skin.

[jerlam]

Sunscreens that use zinc/titanium dioxide as active ingredients are often so unpleasant to use that people don't apply enough of them or refuse to use them. The "nicer" sunscreens that use these ingredients often sneak in SPF boosters which are actually derivatives of other chemical sunscreens but are treated differently on the ingredients label, pretty much cheating the system.

SPF boosters: https://labmuffin.com/100-mineral-sunscreens-using-unregulat...

The coral-safe sunscreen claims don't have a lot of evidence behind them:

https://labmuffin.com/is-your-sunscreen-killing-coral-the-sc...

[dynm]

> The "nicer" sunscreens that use these ingredients often sneak in SPF boosters which are actually derivatives of other chemical sunscreens but are treated differently on the ingredients label, pretty much cheating the system.

Interesting, thank you for pointing this out. I had a little trouble understanding what the link was saying at first, but it seems to (correctly) state that many "mineral" sunscreens contain active chemical ingredients like butyloctyl salicylate. (And they're sometimes labeled as non-active ingredients?)

[culi]

the EWG's sunscreen reviews are quite in depth fwiw. They even assess the "data availability" of each ingredient

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-spo...

[GloriousKoji]

But they didn't do any actual testing? It's just some score based on ingredients and advertised SPF?

[culi]

It's a compilation of the science around every ingredient. And the most in-depth one at that

[horizion2025]

Titanium dioxide is now an IARC 2B suspected carcinogen.

[t0mpr1c3]

IARC is not a regulatory body, and its categories do not address disease risk.

Maybe FDA got this right. I bet you dollars to donuts that putting TiO2 on your skin reduces the risk of cancer.

[KetoManx64]

The FDA... Which doesn't do it's own studies and trusts the study results of the manufacturers who want to sell their products?

[t0mpr1c3]

Why would FDA do its own studies? It's a regulatory body. (Do you know what NIH does?)

"My smoke alarm is no good because it never turned off my stove."

[naishoya]

I think the idea of listening to the FDA's untested opinions on what is effective and safe need to be carefully reviewed.

Here's a simple approach to UV A,B and High Intensity Blue light protection that is safe for the wearer and for downstream ecosystem organisms from the microbiotic to environmental scale. It is not the kind of cream that 'vanishes' after application, nor is it readily available at the local bodega, but it will keep you from catching solar melanoma and carcinoma.

Step one - long sleeved shirt, or t-shirt and sleeves with a high effective SPF factor - they call these 'rash guards' and the ones made from petrochemical polymers require proper recycling when you are done with them to keep them from degrading into microparticulate plastics that are harmful so depending on the availability of such recycling programs to the wearer, selection may require choosing natural fibre of biopolymer compostable materials.

Step two - revist the stone age resources for this task:

Red or yellow Ochre is an effective UVA, UVB, and HIB blocker in sufficient thickness - it does have a 'war paint' look if unmixed, but if your focus is on avoiding skin cancer over conforming to current fashion, so what.

40% Distilled Water and Aloe Vera Gel (Evaporative Base) - spreadability and skin soothing 15% Cosmetic Kaolin Clay (Structural Base) - fine clay to provide smoothness and full, non-cracking coverage 15% Superfine Matcha Powder (Polyphenol/Film Former) - antioxidant to prevent free radicals formed by the UV from causing cellular damage: this also can be used in combination with choice of red+yellow ochres to fine tune the color 15% Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (Light Scattering) - aid the internal light scattering process to amplify the effectiveness of the ochre powders 10% Cosmetic-Grade Yellow/Red Ochre (UV Absorber) - these have been used since the stone age and are still in use, even by wild animals such as elephants, as mud based sunscreen. Effective, non-toxic, iron oxide particulates, which if acquired from a reputable cosmetic supplier have been tested and are free from heavy metal compounds. 4.6% Vegetable Glycerin (Humectant & Plasticizer) - improve the feel of the blend, aid in skin conditioning and wearability 0.2% AMTicide Coconut - natural antifungal to help this blend not "grow nastiness" 0.2% Leucidal Liquid - natural radish ferment (kimchi family) anti-bacterial: not a bacteriocide but bacteriostatic.

this blend can be adjusted with sodium alginate in the aloe vera fraction for personal preference.

And this only needs to be worn on the parts of one not covered by clothing or shaded under a wide brimmed hat.

But this all flies in the face of modern "fashion" - or it will, until some empty headed, emotionless stick figure poses for a fashion show to promote for a fee. And then it might become a 'must have' look.

If your goal is to not burn while pursuing outdoor work or play in intense UV environments, be that in hot or cold locations - high altitude can be stupid powerful UV exposure, you can make this recipe yourself and 'caveman safety' to the rescue.

Stay safe