Sunscreen and bug spray are absolute must-haves to survive the North Texas heat. But did you know these everyday essentials often contain some of the most harmful chemicals for both your body and the environment?
Let’s start with sunscreen.
Conventional sunscreens you find at the store are packed with toxic ingredients—such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene (try saying those five times fast!), among many others. These chemicals are absorbed by your skin, and studies have shown they can enter the bloodstream after just one use. Some have even been found in breast milk and urine samples. These ingredients have been linked to skin irritation, hormone disruption, and even cancer. So if they’re that bad for us, just imagine what they do to the environment. These same chemicals are major contributors to coral bleaching (basically, coral death) and have been shown to cause deformities and hormonal issues in marine life. This pollution happens when sunscreen washes off our skin in rivers, lakes, or oceans—or even when we shower. Wastewater treatment plants don’t always filter out these chemicals, and they eventually end up in our waterways.
Enter mineral sunscreen.
Mineral sunscreens are a safer alternative. They don’t contain any of those nasty synthetic chemicals, making them a much better option for you, your kids, and the planet. They use ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide, which physically sit on your skin and reflect the sun’s rays, preventing the harmful UV rays from reaching your skin. By contrast, chemical sunscreens absorb the sun’s rays, producing heat in the process, making you feel even hotter. This means, no hormone-disrupting chemicals in your system or in oceans. In fact, many beach destinations have banned chemical sunscreens in order to protect their marine ecosystems.
In short: mineral sunscreens offer excellent sun protection without the health and environmental risks. Win-win.
Now, let’s talk bug spray.
Most commercial bug sprays rely on DEET, a synthetic chemical that’s been around for decades. While it’s generally considered safe in small doses, it can cause side effects—like skin irritation, rashes, or nausea—especially when used in high concentrations or overapplied. And let’s be honest, it’s hard to know how much is too much.
If you’re like me and prefer to avoid unnecessary chemicals, natural bug sprays are a great alternative. They’re especially important for babies, kids, people with sensitive skin, or anyone who spends a lot of time outside.
Natural bug repellents are typically made with essential oils like citronella, cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, geranium, and catnip. These plant-based ingredients are surprisingly effective at keeping bugs at bay and are much gentler on your skin.
Unless you’re traveling to a high-risk area for mosquito-borne diseases like Zika or malaria, natural sprays are more than enough. I’ve personally tested half a dozen different natural options, and they’ve worked great—even in our hot, sometimes humid, North Texas climate.
Bottom line: Safer, eco-friendly options do exist, and they work! Whether you're applying sunscreen or reaching for bug spray, consider switching to natural and plant-based alternatives. Your body—and the planet—will thank you.
Written and researched by a real human, edited by AI