Summer is one of my favorite times of the year.  For one, it's actually warm enough to work out outside, there's pool parties, beach days, barbeques, and best of all, no snow.  You can pretty much spend all of your time outdoors if you wanted to, and well, who doesn't!?  We all know that sun is damaging to your skin and the importance of sunblock, but do you know the importance of which sunblock you choose?  Picking the wrong sunblock is not only damaging to the environment, but it can even be damaging to your health.


  So before you make that quick stop at the drugstore to pick up some sunblock on the way to the beach, think about these when choosing which sunblock to go with.

Environment
Depending on what type of suncare you choose, you could be harming marine wildlife.  For example, zinc oxide & titanium dioxide, two common ingredients found in sunblock undergo a chemical reaction when in sunlight.  They both have been linked to damaging phytoplankton, a key species in many marine ecosystems.  Benzophenone 2 & 3 are known for the damage they do to corals.  They can bleach adult corals and even kill juvenile corals.  Corals are another important species in the ocean which actually help control carbon dioxide levels in the sea among other things such as being home to a bunch of other marine species.  I think I speak for the majority of people when I say that I don't want an ocean without coral.  

Human Health
Picking the wrong sunscreen can also be bad for your health.  For instance, spray sunscreens can actually damage your lungs and cause asthma.  Also, some of the UV filters in some sunscreens can actually promote the creation of free radicals which is a big no no! Free radicals are created when molecules are split, creating extra molecules in your body that are searching for an extra electron (sorry for the Chem 101).  These molecules can attack DNA and can actually lead to cancer.  On the more superficial front, they can damage skin, leading to wrinkles.

In Conclusion
All in all, it is extremely important to pay attention to what you use for sunscreen-they're not all created equal!  One of my favorite go to brands is Coola suncare (they now have a new line at Target called Bare Republic!), they have tons of fun summery scents and keep your skin moisturized-not greasy!