Crypto News: Sunscreen 101

Hi, it's Anna in Virginia. Happy Fourth of July to those in the US. Before you head out for hot dogs and fireworks, I'll tell you all you need to know about sunscreen. But first...

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Let's start with the obvious. Despite what influencers touting misinformation on TikTok say, please use sunscreen. That said, there are so many choices. I've done a lot of reporting on sunscreen in the past couple of years, so let me help. Here's what you should consider before making a pick.

1. What do US regulators say?
Americans have basically had the same options in the sunscreen aisle for decades because the US Food and Drug Administration requires comprehensive research to get new ones approved. Several years ago, FDA researchers discovered that chemical sunscreen ingredients like octocrylene, oxybenzone and avobenzone make it into the body's bloodstream at higher levels than originally thought and linger for extended periods, even after one use. The agency's leaders said they couldn't consider chemical sunscreens safe until the industry gave them more data. We haven't seen that yet. Mineral sunscreens, like zinc and titanium dioxide, are considered safe.

2. What's the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens?
Chemical sunscreens absorb ultraviolet rays. Mineral sunscreens sit on the skin and reflect UV rays. Both should have a sun protection factor of at least 30.

Chemical sunscreen ingredients may cause endocrine disruption, meaning they can mess with your hormones. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has linked endocrine disrupters to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, in addition to cancer and fertility issues. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says chemical sunscreens and nano versions of mineral sunscreens can hurt marine life, including coral. Mineral sunscreen labels often indicate whether the ingredients are nano, or slightly bigger — potentially making them less dangerous in the ocean.

A parent applying sunscreen to their child. Photographer: Madeline Gray/Bloomberg

3. Should I buy a spray or rub-on sunscreen?
Lotions, as annoying as they can be, prevent inhalation of sunscreen ingredients — something that's especially important for children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Spray sunscreens also often use propane and isobutane to propel the product from the bottle, both petroleum products that many don't realize are in their sunscreen. Sunscreen sticks are another option that won't harm your lungs.

4. What should I look for when choosing a mineral sunscreen?
Mineral sunscreens don't absorb in the bloodstream and are less harmful to marine life, which all sounds good. But lately, some manufacturers are enhancing their mineral sunscreens with chemical-like ingredients masked as inert substances, labeled "inactive" on the bottle. Those ingredients include butyloctyl salicylate and ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, which are very similar in structure to potentially problematic chemical sunscreen ingredients.

5. Anything else?
Lastly, stay vigilant. Your favorite sunscreen may be reformulated without notice. I recently had to send some back after the brand I've been buying added "natural fragrance oils" to its ingredient list. My daughter and I have sensitive skin so no, thank you. Always beware of the term "fragrance." It isn't closely regulated and manufacturers can hide all kinds of ingredients under it.

And my sunscreen pick? I'm on the hunt for a new favorite. — Anna Edney

If all-over-body deodorant at double the price of regular deodorant sounds crazy to you, check out my Bloomberg colleagues on "upflation."

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Ask us anything — well, anything health-related that is! Each week we're picking a reader question and putting it to our network of experts. So get in touch via AskPrognosis@bloomberg.net.