PABA—don’t use it!

PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) acts as a chemical sunscreen, helping to keep UVB rays from harming the skin. It was one of the original sunscreen ingredients. However, this once common ingredient in sunscreens has proved in the past to be a skin irritant. Not everyone has a reaction to PABA, but so many do that most manufacturers have taken it out of their ingredient lists.

If you have sensitive skin and tend to react to sunscreens in general, before you purchase your next sun product, check the ingredient list. If PABA or para-aminobenzoic acid is listed, I would look for something else. Avobenzone and both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide make good sunscreen ingredients and can all be looked up in their respective sections in this blog.

This is somewhat old news and now you will hopefully not find PABA in any of your sunscreen products. But just in case, I wanted to offer this information.

For more information, see:

• SUNSCREENS: The WHAT & WHY plus the importance of REAPPLYING
• Avobenzone—you want this in your sunscreen
• Questions about SPF numbers and sun protection