The most effective way to reduce your risk of skin cancer is to always wear sunscreen outside, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. For people with sensitive skin, or those who prefer all-natural ingredients, organic sunscreen is an ideal choice. UMMC recommends choosing a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Finding an organic formula that satisfies these recommendations can be made easier if you pay attention to the active ingredients found in the various types of sunscreen.
Zinc Oxide/ Titanium Oxide
While zinc oxide and titanium oxide are technically considered inorganic ingredients, according to UMMC, they are often found in many organic sunscreens and sunblocks. These UV-blocking pigments are not absorbed by the skin, so they are safer than UV-blocking agents that get absorbed into the skin and bloodstream. Additionally, they block almost all UVA and UVB rays from the skin, according to UMMC.
Virgin Olive Oil
Virgin olive oil is found in many organic sunscreens, according to the Daily Green, and it acts as an all-natural moisturizer for the skin.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a type of liquid wax -- similar in texture to oil -- that is derived from the Jojoba shrub seed. It is an effective all-day moisturizer that is similar in composition to the oil produced by human skin, and it does not evaporate in the sun.
Cocoa Butter/Shea Butter
Cocoa butter and shea butter are both all-natural moisturizing agents that can be found in many hand and body lotions in addition to being common ingredients found in organic sunscreens.
Oxybenzone and Benzophenone-3
Organic formulated sunscreens often contain either oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 as the active ingredient. These two UV-filtering chemicals block UVA and UVB rays, making them effective active ingredients to look for in an organic sunscreen, according to UMMC. Another similar active agent that effectively blocks UVB and some UVA rays is called ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil acts as an all-natural moisturizer in organic sunscreens. Soybean oil is often referred to as vegetable oil when used in cooking applications.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is found in many different types of moisturizers, including sunblock and sunscreen, because of its skin nourishing properties. On some sunscreens or lotions, vitamin E may also be referred to as alpha-tocopheryl acetate, according to Maret G. Traber, Ph.D. of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. She points out that vitamin E can offer health benefits as a topical agent, including providing antioxidant effects when it is absorbed by the skin.
