The Power of Ingredients: What’s Trending and Why It Matters

The Power of Ingredients: What’s Trending and Why It Matters

At EthoSun, sunscreen isn’t just about protecting your skin from burning — it’s about protecting what you love most: your health, your future, and our shared planet. When we started formulating, we asked a simple question: why should you have to choose between safe skin and a safe environment? The truth is, you shouldn’t.

That’s why understanding the ingredients in sunscreen matters. Too many products on the market hide behind vague claims and marketing buzzwords, hoping consumers won’t look too closely. The reality? Many conventional sunscreens use ingredients that raise serious concerns for both human health and marine ecosystems.

If you’d like to read more about the harmful chemicals commonly found in sunscreen, visit our “Chemicals in Sunscreen” page https://ethosun.com/pages/the-science

Why Ingredients Matter More Than Ever

Consumers are savvier than ever. In 2025, one of the most significant shifts in the beauty and wellness industry is increased awareness of ingredients. According to McKinsey’s State of Beauty report, over 70% of consumers now check ingredient lists before purchasing skincare, and more than half specifically seek out products labeled “clean,” “reef-safe,” or “mineral-based.”

But not all claims are created equal. The surge in greenwashing has left many confused about what’s truly safe. The power of ingredients lies not only in what they do for your skin, but also in how they interact with your body and the world around you.

 

The Science of Mineral Protection

Mineral filters, including non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide, are considered the gold standard in safe sun protection. Unlike chemical filters, which absorb into the skin and bloodstream, mineral sunscreens sit on the surface and act as physical blockers. Think of them as microscopic mirrors, reflecting and scattering UV rays away from the skin.

 

  • Zinc oxide is a broad-spectrum protection, meaning it shields against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. It’s also anti-inflammatory, which is why dermatologists recommend it for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

  • Titanium dioxide is lightweight and gentle, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear — especially for individuals with sensitive or reactive skin.

 

Scientific consensus from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the FDA continues to rank zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the safest and most effective sunscreen ingredients available.

Questioning “Boosters” on Labels

Many sunscreens advertise “boosters” — additives meant to make active UV filters work longer, spread smoother, or look more invisible on skin. But here’s the real question: if the base ingredients are effective, why do they need boosting at all?

For consumers, seeing “boosters” on a label should be a red flag to pause and investigate. Boosters often come in the form of synthetic stabilizers or penetration enhancers — ingredients that can slip into your bloodstream, persist in the environment, or add unnecessary complexity to what should be a straightforward formula.

At EthoSun, we don’t hide behind boosters. Our approach is simple: minerals do the protecting, while our skin-loving botanicals — prickly pear, big kelp algae, and squalane — do the nourishing. Every ingredient has a purpose, and none exist to prop up the performance of another.

 

What’s Trending — and Why It Matters

The clean beauty industry is evolving quickly. Here’s what’s shaping the sunscreen and skincare space right now:

  1. Reef-Safe Sunscreens – With destinations like Hawaii, Palau, and Aruba banning toxic sunscreen ingredients, travelers are actively seeking products that meet reef-safe standards. EthoSun is ahead of the curve.

  2. Hybrid Skincare-Suncare – Consumers want multitasking products. Ingredients like prickly pear and kelp make EthoSun not just sun care, but skin care.

  3. Transparency as Luxury – Today, “luxury” doesn’t just mean packaging — it implies truth. Consumers equate ingredient transparency with quality and credibility.

  4. Science-Backed Botanicals – From adaptogens to algae, botanicals with peer-reviewed science are trending because they blend wellness with results.

  5. Planet-First Formulations – Sustainability isn’t optional anymore. Sixty-two % of Gen Z and Millennials say they will stop buying from a brand that hides or misleads about its environmental impact.

Here’s to sunshine, healthier skin, and our planet worth protecting. Sun responsibly, and with integrity!

 

Dr. Deborah RIce, Chief Medical Director, EthoSun

 

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