Should I be worried about harmful ingredients in my sunscreen?

All the dermatologists we spoke to stressed that the active ingredients in sunscreen are vigorously tested for safety by the FDA. But they agree that chemical absorbers are more likely to cause skin irritation, so if you have a skin condition such as eczema or rosacea or you’re prone to allergic reactions, stick with sunscreens that use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Fragrances are also irritating to many people, so a physical sunscreen that’s fragrance-free and hypoallergenic is ideal.

If you have questions about sunscreen safety, Dustin J. Mullens, a dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, recommends checking out the Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen guide, which gives safety ratings to hundreds of sunscreens based on scientific data and literature.