3 Science-Backed Reasons to Avoid Spray Sunscreens

I know. I know. Spray-on sunscreen is just SO convenient! It’s the primary form of sunscreen I see most people use these days and I totally get why. 

Personally, as a mom of two little kids who is pretty religious about sunscreen application, I love the idea of spray sunscreen. Maybe your kids are perfect little angels, but mine HATE having sunscreen lotion slathered all over their skin. If I could just have them close their eyes and spray them down and boom-bam, we’re good to go? That’d be so amazing. 

Unfortunately… there are a few reasons why I completely recommend against using spray sunscreen, EVEN IF it’s a mineral spray sunscreen. I feel so strongly about this one. 

If you prioritize natural living and low-tox products backed by solid research, here’s why you might want to ditch the spray sunscreen in favor of safer alternatives.

(Did you miss my last post where I explained the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen as well as what the science says about the risks and benefits of both? If so, check it out here!)

1. Inhalation Risks: The #1 Concern for Most Toxins

The issue with spray sunscreen comes down to a couple of things but it all has to do with the primary function of a spray sunscreen: that it makes sunscreen… into a spray…

Why is this problematic? Well, if you’ve been around for a while you’ll have seen me say in various posts that a lot of ingredients are generally safe for topical application but that they become problematic when inhaled. This is partially because they can be irritating when inhaled and partially because they can be toxic when inhaled. It all depends on the ingredient.

Take benzene for instance. It’s a petroleum derivative that’s thought to be toxic. It’s particularly damaging if inhaled or ingested. (remember this for point #2!) Another example is lye (or sodium hydroxide) which is just soap. It’s harsh on the skin and can cause irritation, but it’s very dangerous to inhale (though this is unlikely to happen except in manufacturing settings) because of the level of irritation it can cause.

Lots of substances are like this. That’s because things are more likely to actually hit your bloodstream when ingested or inhaled and because our airways are sensitive, the particular concern depends on the substance.

Just generally speaking, inhalation is an effective method of ingestion because it’s relatively easy for toxins to enter your bloodstream via this method as compared to dermally (through your skin) or through your digestive system. It’s still possible for toxins to hit your bloodstream through those methods, digestive system more likely than dermal exposure, but those systems have more sophisticated protection mechanisms, or at least more typically effective ones.

We’re going to take a quick look at some of the ingredients in sunscreen that are particularly problematic when inhaled and then I’m going to ask you to think logically about why making these ingredients easy to inhale… is a problem. Which is exactly what spray sunscreen does. 

Interestingly enough, it’s not just chemical sunscreens you need to be wary of with this. In fact, there’s more evidence of inhalation risk for titanium dioxide than any other ingredient in sunscreen, even though it’s considered the more “natural.”

Just goes to show, natural isn’t always better or safer. Anyway…

A 2020 study found that inhaling nanoparticles like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (found in mineral-based sprays) can lead to lung inflammation and oxidative stress. Most studies, though, find titanium dioxide to be the more significant threat, though really only through the mechanism of inhalation.

And though mineral sunscreens may actually be more dangerous in a spray form than chemical, chemical spray sunscreens aren’t off the hook either. The FDA has expressed concerns about the safety of inhaling ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone, especially for children, whose developing lungs may be more vulnerable.   Even more concerning, a 2017 study found that some chemical UV filters in aerosols can linger in the air, leading to unintended inhalation exposure. This could also mean that even if you prefer to use this just on yourself and turn to lotion for your kids, they’re still likely breathing this stuff in.

AN IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER!

Now that I’ve raised alarm bells, let me quiet them a little bit. 

I think inhalation of toxins is a significant consideration for spray sunscreens because of what we’ve discussed. However, the likelihood of actually poisoning yourself with spray sunscreen is basically zero. 

That’s because when I say that inhaling titanium dioxide is dangerous, it really means that if you took two hands full of powdered titanium dioxide in your hands and huffed, that would be dangerous. 

A lot of studies finding toxins dangerous if inhaled (or ingested in any manner) are typically finding so at exposure levels far above what is reasonably encountered in our lives. They do this because they aren’t finding the same effects at smaller levels. 

Basically, certain substances can be toxic in large quantities but not in small quantities. Now I know some of you may be thinking, well if it’s toxic at all isn’t that bad? Sort of… In theory, sure, if something is bad for you in any context it’s more than likely not good for you in another. However, I think when it comes to this complicated issue of what’s toxic and what’s not, the best we can do is look at the data and say, “this substance is benefiting me in XYZ way and causing no measurable harm, so I probably don’t need to worry that much.”

It’s for this reason that I say that because these substances are more dangerous when inhaled, even though they’ve not been found to cause harm at real-life exposure levels, it’s probably best to stick with not aerosolizing them, since there is another option. If there wasn’t? Then the benefits definitely outweigh the risk. And if you’re only willing to use sunscreen in spray form, then I would say the benefits still outweigh the risk. 

2. Contamination with Benzene: A Known Carcinogen

Several spray sunscreens have been found to contain benzene, a chemical classified as a known carcinogen by several organizations and authorities. A recent independent laboratory analysis by Valisure detected benzene in multiple popular spray sunscreen brands, with some containing levels significantly above the FDA’s safety threshold

They later completed another analysis including partially used samples this time and found again that about 29% of samples contained benzene and 11% contained benzene in concentrations above the allowable limit.

Interestingly, about 20% of the samples were expired and were more likely to contain benzene than those that were not. This is because benzene is a byproduct that comes from the breakdown of various ingredients in sunscreen, like the benzene-related UV filters or even the aerosol propellants. The longer it sits, the more likely sunscreen is to have benzene.

Again, benzene is a known carcinogen with pretty strong links to cancer development. This isn’t something anyone wants to be messing around with. While it’s not “the sky is falling” level of concern, it’s dangerous and consumers should be aware. 

A helpful tip to follow: throw away sunscreen that is more than a couple years old or that is expired. And because benzene is more dangerous when inhaled, and more likely to be in a spray sunscreen because of the aerosol propellants, I’d recommend skipping the spray sunscreen when you can and opt for a lotion or stick.

3. Less Effective Protection Due to Uneven Application

Even if you’re careful about inhalation and contamination, spray sunscreens often fail at their primary job—protecting your skin from UV damage. Studies show that people don’t apply enough sunscreen when using sprays, leading to inadequate protection. Most users tend to under-apply sunscreen in general, but especially with spray sunscreen. 

Add to that you aren’t ensuring to rub the sunscreen into every spot, and you’re almost certainly not fully covered. This leaves you open to sun damage, which can be particularly challenging because you think you’ve protected yourself and may stay in the sun even longer, causing more damage.

So even if a spray sunscreen contains adequate UV filters, the reality is that many people aren’t applying it properly, which reduces its ability to prevent skin cancer and premature aging. It may be more beneficial for you to use a lotion in the end, even if it takes an extra minute.

Summary / TLDR

There are a few basic risks that come with spray sunscreens: 1) inhalation increases risk of certain toxins, including things like benzene and even titanium dioxide (which is normally safe), 2) aerosol propellants increase the risk of benzene contamination in sunscreen, and 3) most people don’t apply spray sunscreen adequately and thus risk further sun damage.

For these reasons, I recommend sticking with a lotion or a stick version! If you just want a quick recommendation, this Pipette sunscreen lotion is my absolute favorite for kids, myself, and every occassion.

If you’re curious about the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen and what the best choice for you is, check out this post.

And if you’re looking for a super safe but effective mineral sunscreen, check out this post for a list of sunscreens to fit every need!

I hope this was helpful! If you enjoyed it and would like to see more like it, please subscribe to my newsletter and browse my catalog of old posts!