The Serious Dangers of Spray Sunscreen

Spray sunscreen is all the rage, but have you heard about spray sunscreen dangers? Are you wondering if spray sunscreen is safe?

I'll cover all of the ins and outs of spray sunscreen safety so you can make a well-informed decision about whether or not you want to use this on yourself and your loved ones.

Whenever we go to a pool or the beach, I constantly seeing all kinds of people spraying sunscreen on themselves. It seems like everyone is using it these days.

It's convenient, covers the body easily, you don't have to get your hands messy, and kids with sensory issues about textures and having things spread on them like it a lot better than regular sunscreen.

In fact, many daycares say that parents should ONLY send spray sunscreen with their child!

But with that convenience comes risks and some of them are a big deal.

In fact, even if you are using “safer” spray sunscreens, you could be putting your (and your children's) health at risk.

And even the spray sunscreen manufacturers know this.

Label Warnings

If you look at a bottle of spray sunscreen, you can see that there are warnings, but are we heeding them and do we know why they are there? Here are some warnings that you can see on spray sunscreen bottles:

• “If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Center right away.”
• “Do not spray directly into face.”
• “Do not apply in windy conditions.”
• “Use in a well-ventilated area.”
• “Avoid inhaling or exposing others to spray.”
• “Keep away from face to avoid breathing it.”

Sounds a little ominous, doesn't it?

I mean, basically, it sounds like you need to hold your breath for a long time while putting this on and that you shouldn't put it on around other people unless they're holding their breath too.

Kind of tough to do that!

In fact, it was a huge mess trying to get the photos for this post. The sunscreen got caught up in the wind over and over again so we had to hold our breath. Then it went all over my clothes and even the camera.

This stuff just goes EVERYWHERE!

Spray Sunscreen Dangers

In addition to normal sunscreen safety tips, there are special things to take into consideration when using spray sunscreen. Here are some of the things to think about when deciding whether or not to use these products, and how to use them should you choose to.

Inhalation Risks

First let's talk about the typical sunscreens on the market. When you spray sunscreen, besides the risk of what you're applying to your skin, there's the added risk of inhaling:

Chemical Sunscreens Such As:

• oxybenzone
• octinoxate
• avobenzone
• octisalate
• octocrylene
• homosalate

and any of the other ingredients on the list such as:

• artificial fragrances
• styrene/acrylates
• copolymer
• silica
• beeswax (maybe not thought of as being toxic, but glyphosate's an issue these days)
• cyclopentasiloxane
• ethylhexylglycerin
• glyceryl stearate
• PEG-100 stearate
• acrylates/dimethicone copolymer
• acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
• chlorphenesin
• triethanolamine
• Diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate
• Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
• Disodium EDTA
• BHT
• Methylisothiazolinone

Not really wanting to be breathing any of those.

Now, assuming you are using “safer sunscreens”, the likely active ingredients would be mineral sunscreens: titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. Those ingredients aren't really “on the radar” of skin toxicity guardians.

But here's the deal; if you're spraying sunscreen, the big risk for these two ingredients is — yes, you guessed it — inhalation.

Check out the toxicity warnings about titanium dioxide and zinc oxide from EWG's Skin Deep:

Titanium Dioxide:

• “It appears to have low skin penetration, but inhalation is a concern.”
• Cancer: 3 agencies cite it as having carcinogenic (causing cancer) properties when inhaled.
• Organ System Toxicity – Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful

Zinc Oxide:

• 4 citations of respiratory toxicity concerns
• Occupational Hazard citations
• Ecotoxicology (toxic to the environment)

Basically, you do NOT want to be inhaling these things.

One day, at our community pool, I was sitting at least 15-20 feet from a young girl who was spraying a popular brand of sunscreen on her body.  I felt like I was being gassed. I mean, I've always been sensitive to “fragrances”, but this was strong.

So I held my breath and turned away. Not just because of the stink, but I also didn't want that titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and other toxic stuff going into my lungs.

Flammability

Flammability is a concern for two reasons.

1. The cans themselves are flammable (due to what is inside) which can really be an issue in hot conditions. If you choose to use spray sunscreen, be very careful where you leave the cans.
2. The spray contains flammable components. The labels do state this, but you really do need to be careful spraying around barbecues, etc. If you spray sunscreen on and then walk too close to a citronella candle, you could literally go up in flames! And yes, this has happened, leading to very serious burns. One woman suffered severe burns using a welding torch hours after she applied spray sunscreen (source).

Environmental Concerns

In many sunscreens, the ingredients are not safe for the environment. That goes for many regular sunscreens (non spray) and other body care products as well, but more so for spray-on products.

A Unexpected Risk: Falling Danger

Unlike regular sunscreen, spray sunscreen goes EVERYWHERE and especially around pools, the ground can get really slippery, and falls are more likely to happen.

In fact, this has happened and has even led to people having concussions.

How to Use Spray Sunscreen Safely

If you choose to use spray sunscreen, here's how to do so more safely.

First of all, purchase a safer sunscreen: one with the safest ingredients you can find.

Second, here are some recommendations to prevent the other concerns outlined above:

1. Hold the nozzle of the sunscreen close to your skin and spray generously. 
2. Avoid inhaling when applying spray sunscreen.
3. Avoid using spray sunscreen when there is a lot of wind. It's best to apply indoors or behind a wall or other barrier to protect against wind.
4. Never apply spray sunscreen near any intense heat or open flame, or while smoking or standing hear someone who is smoking.
5. Don't use spray sunscreen in a place where the ground will become slippery should some end up on the floor/ground surface.

Safe Sunscreen Options

Of course, besides the aerosol spray aspect and possible inhalation issues, there are a lot of ingredients in sunscreen that just aren't the best.

Following are some safer sunscreens that I have personally used and liked.

Poofy Organics

Poofy Organics has super clean products that are truly affordable. With so many “natural” and “clean” companies getting caught not being honest and ethical, it's best to buy from a company that isn't lying about what they are putting in their products. Poofy is one such company.

They have a few different sunscreen products including Flawless Face Sunscreen, Sunscreen Lotion, and Lip Balm with SPF. Their sunscreen is a little thick and might need warming after sitting for a while, but it's a good value.

One REALLY great thing about Poofy's sunscreens is that you can see their testing results for their sunscreen stick and their sunscreen, right on their website. I don't believe I've ever seen this anywhere with any company before.

And Poofy Organics has more SPF options as well including Stick Sunscreen, SPF Facial Moisturizer, and a Lip Balm with SPF.

Get 10% off your first Poofy Organics order with code WNM.

Crunchi

Crunchi has SunLight Body SPF as well as a SunLight Face SPF.

Crunchi's sunscreen products have less of a white cast than most (or none at all) and get good reviews. It's much easier to use than Poofy's but it's more pricey. Crunchi also has a facial moisturizer with SPF. They are currently planning on introducing tinted sunscreen and possibly a tinted moisturizer with SPF as well.

Their body sunscreen is EWG verified and their facial sunscreen is as well.

Get 10% off your first Crunchi order with code ADVOCATE10.

Do you use Spray Sunscreen?
If so, will you keep doing so after reading this?
Share with a friend to help them make healthier choices too!