The 5 Key Ingredients to Look For in a Sunscreen (And 3 to Avoid)
Reading a sunscreen ingredient label can be confusing. It's hard to know what's good, what's bad, and what's just marketing.
As a brand built on science, we believe in transparency. Here is our simple guide to the ingredients that truly matter for protected, healthy skin.
The "YES" List: 5 Ingredients to Look For
1. Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide (The Gentle Protectors) These are mineral filters (also called physical filters). Instead of being absorbed into your skin, they sit on the surface and create a physical barrier that reflects harmful UVA and UVB rays. This makes them incredibly gentle and the #1 choice for sensitive, acne-prone, or easily irritated skin.
2. Niacinamide (The Oily Skin Hero) This is a form of Vitamin B3, and it's a superstar for oily skin. It's famous for its ability to help regulate oil production, reduce the appearance of pores, and even out skin tone. It's the perfect ingredient to pair with a sunscreen.
3. Vitamin E (The Antioxidant Defender) Sun protection doesn't stop at just blocking rays. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize "free radicals"—unstable molecules created by sun exposure that lead to premature aging.
4. A High PA++++ Rating (The "Anti-Aging" Shield) SPF only measures protection against UVB rays (the ones that burn). The PA rating measures protection against UVA rays (the ones that age you and cause dark spots). PA++++ is the highest possible rating, offering maximum protection against skin aging.
5. Non-Comedogenic Formula This isn't an ingredient, but a crucial promise. It means the product is specifically formulated to not clog your pores, which is the most important factor for oily and acne-prone skin.
The "NO" List: 3 Ingredients to Avoid
1. Denatured Alcohol Often used to make a formula feel "lightweight," high amounts of alcohol can strip your skin's natural barrier, causing dryness, irritation, and even more oil production as your skin tries to compensate.
2. Parabens & Sulfates These are common preservatives and cleansing agents that "clean beauty" customers avoid. They can be known irritants, especially for sensitive skin.
3. Synthetic Fragrance "Fragrance" is the #1 cause of allergic reactions in skincare. For a daily-use product like sunscreen, it's best to choose a fragrance-free formula to avoid any potential irritation.
The Takeaway
A great sunscreen protects and improves your skin. Our Days of Beauty SPF 55+ Sunscreen was formulated with this exact philosophy. It contains gentle Mineral Filters, Niacinamide, and Vitamin E, while being 100% free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Alcohol.
