You diligently protect your skin from harmful UV rays with sunscreen, but are you truly safe? While these products are essential for preventing skin cancer and other conditions, recent research indicates that some ingredients can be absorbed by the body and potentially cause side effects.
What risks are you taking by applying these chemicals to your skin? Discover the truth behind the potential side effects of sunscreen and learn how to protect your skin without compromising your well-being.
Side Effects of Sunscreen: What’s Really Going On?
Researchers at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a randomized trial. This trial, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, revealed that certain ingredients in four commercially available sunscreens can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. Following human trials, they concluded that the concentration of these ingredients in the blood exceeded the safety threshold established by the FDA.
Initially, sunscreens were formulated with minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which create a physical barrier on the skin to block UV rays. The limited photoprotection offered by mineral filters, combined with increasing concerns about skin cancer, spurred the development of chemical sunscreens that absorb UV radiation.
However, studies have since revealed that certain chemical ingredients, such as oxybenzone, are absorbed through the skin and can be detected in urine, breast milk, and even the environment. These absorption levels have raised concerns about the potential side effects of sunscreen on both human health and ecosystems.
Though these findings are concerning to scientists, there are few long-term studies examining the potential adverse effects of sunscreen on human health. The challenge lies in the complexity of sunscreen formulations, varying application methods, and the multitude of factors influencing absorption. Animal studies suggest that some ingredients may disrupt the endocrine system, potentially affecting reproduction, development, and immunity. However, conclusive evidence of these effects occurring in humans is still lacking.
The absence of scientific consensus on the long-term safety of sunscreens has sparked debate within medical and regulatory communities. Despite this ongoing discussion, the FDA continues to recommend sunscreen use for Americans and has urged manufacturers to provide more comprehensive safety data on their products.
Sunscreens: More Than Just SPF
When purchasing sunscreen, many of us prioritize the Sun Protection Factor (SPF)—the measure of how long a product protects the skin from UVB rays compared to unprotected skin. While some sunscreens advertise SPF 70 or even higher, it’s crucial to understand that this does not equate to proportionally longer protection duration than those of a lesser rating. This nuance makes the potential side effects and high costs of excessively high SPF sunscreens potentially unjustifiable.
Experts agree that using a sunscreen with an SPF higher than 50 offers minimal additional benefit for several reasons:
- Minimal Extra Protection: Sunscreens with SPF 15 block approximately 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks about 97%. Beyond that, the increase in protection diminishes significantly: SPF 50 covers around 98%, and SPF 100 only approximately 99%.
- Misleading Marketing: Many brands market SPF levels that may be inflated or not fully representative of actual protection.
- Consistent Reapplication is Key: Regardless of whether you use SPF 15 or 100, reapplication every 2 hours remains essential for continued protection.
- Increased Chemical Load: Sunscreens with SPF values exceeding 50 often require higher concentrations of chemical filters to achieve these levels, potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
While traditional sunscreens primarily target UVB rays, current research demonstrates that UVA and HEV (high-energy visible) rays can also cause significant damage to deeper skin layers. The issue is that many brands have not yet updated their formulations to address this, leaving their sunscreens with incomplete protection. For optimal defense against solar radiation, a sunscreen should be broad-spectrum, shielding against both UVA and UVB rays, and ideally, offer protection against HEV light as well.
Ingredients in Sunscreens: Are They Truly Dangerous?
Sunscreens utilize various chemicals to protect the skin from UV rays. While research remains ongoing and individual reactions can vary, some ingredients are suspected of having potential long-term negative effects, including hormonal disruptions, allergies, and skin irritation. Even mineral sunscreens, often considered gentler, can cause issues if overused or if they contain potentially harmful additives.
Given that some sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream, it is important to be informed and proactive. Therefore, it is critical to carefully read product labels and choose sunscreens with simpler formulas and natural ingredients whenever possible. Prioritizing prevention will always be fundamental for maintaining healthy, radiant skin.
The Safe Sunscreen Guide: Ingredients to Avoid for Your Health
When selecting sunscreen, maximum protection is often the goal. It’s important to recognize that not all sunscreens contain every ingredient listed here, but awareness of potentially concerning components is wise. However, it is also essential to be aware of ingredients that may have long-term health implications. Understanding the potential side effects of sunscreen ingredients can empower you to make informed choices. Here are some components to be mindful of:
- Oxybenzone: This is perhaps the most controversial sunscreen ingredient. Studies suggest it may contribute to endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It has also been linked to reduced sperm counts and lower testosterone levels in males, including adolescents. Furthermore, oxybenzone is known to harm marine ecosystems.
- Homosalate: Animal studies suggest homosalate can disrupt both male and female reproductive hormones. When it breaks down, it releases oxidizing agents that can irritate the skin and pollute the environment. It is found in a significant percentage of U.S. sunscreens.
- Octinoxate: This ingredient is suspected of affecting reproductive and thyroid hormones and may trigger skin allergies.
- Octocrylene: Often cited as a frequent cause of severe allergic reactions.
- Octisalate: Considered less harmful than some other chemical filters but can still elicit allergic responses in sensitive individuals.
- Avobenzone: Unstable under UV light and often requires octisalate to stabilize it. When avobenzone breaks down from UV exposure, it forms breakdown products, which are essentially new chemical substances. These breakdown products may contribute to skin allergies.
- Methylisothiazolinone: This preservative has been linked to an increase in cases of allergic dermatitis, especially in children and individuals with sensitive skin.
- Retinyl Palmitate: A derivative of vitamin A commonly found in cosmetics. Mouse studies suggest it may promote tumor growth when exposed to UV light. While human research is lacking, caution is generally advised.
- Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Some mineral sunscreens utilize nanoparticles of zinc oxide, which are currently under investigation for their potential to penetrate skin cells. Zinc oxide itself remains an excellent photoprotective ingredient, even for sensitive skin—just ensure the formula specifies “non-nano.”
- Spray SPF (Aerosol Sunscreens): Aerosol sunscreens may contain ingredients that can irritate airways if inhaled. When applying spray sunscreen, it’s advisable to do so with closed eyes in well-ventilated areas.
- Parabens and Synthetic Fragrances: Parabens, synthetic musks, and phthalates, often found in sunscreens, are suspected endocrine disruptors. These chemicals have been linked to concerns like early puberty, reduced sperm counts, and potential carcinogenicity (in the case of phthalates).
Your Perfect Sunscreen Is Out There: Find It!
Recent analyses by the independent laboratory Valisure revealed benzene contamination, a known carcinogen, in certain batches of popular sunscreens in America, including brands like Banana Boat, Neutrogena, Up & Up, and Coppertone. The contamination was found in various sunscreen formulations, including both aerosol sprays and non-aerosol lotions/creams, though it was limited to certain batches. It's important to note that this finding relates to benzene as a contaminant, not as an intended ingredient in these sunscreens.
Separately, research into the potential long-term side effects of intended sunscreen ingredients remains ongoing and often inconclusive, leading dermatologists to generally recommend caution when choosing sunscreen products.
Choosing the right sunscreen can be challenging, particularly if you seek textures suitable for daily use or compatibility with makeup. To simplify the process, here’s a guide to ingredients and features to prioritize for safer UV protection:
- Zinc Oxide: A widely recognized mineral sunscreen ingredient considered safe for most skin types. Offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA1, UVA2, and UVB rays.
- Iron Oxide: Tinted sunscreens containing iron oxide can filter HEV (high-energy visible) light, which is known to contribute to cellular damage and oxidative stress.
- Titanium Dioxide: Provides slightly less comprehensive protection than zinc oxide but enhances overall photoprotection by reflecting UVA and UVB rays away from the skin.
- SPF 30 or 50: Effectively shields the skin’s surface from UVB rays, preventing sunburns and tanning.
- PA++++: The PA rating system (indicated by “+” symbols) denotes the level of UVA protection. UVA rays contribute to collagen damage and premature photoaging. Sunscreens labeled “broad-spectrum” should offer PA++++ protection.
- Macroparticles: Form a physical barrier on the skin, effectively reflecting UV rays and minimizing penetration into deeper layers—reducing the risk of irritation and allergic reactions.
- Fluid, Cream, or Stick Formats: Opt for fluid, cream, or stick formats and avoid spray sunscreens to minimize potential inhalation risks and side effects on eyes and the respiratory tract. Cream formats can provide enhanced hydration for dry skin, while fluid products offer a lighter feel for combination or oily skin. Stick formats are ideal for convenient reapplication, especially over makeup.
Don't be swayed by marketing campaigns that obscure crucial details. From now on, remember when buying sunscreen: SPF is not the only factor. Prioritize formulas that include ingredients offering broad-spectrum protection against UVB, UVA, and HEV rays—without potentially harmful side effects.
Worried about sun damage? Discover how to reverse it with this article: "How to Reverse Sun Damage: Best Supplements and Skincare.”
While sunscreens are indispensable for protecting skin from UV rays, careful selection is crucial for minimizing potential side effects. Mineral-based sunscreens are generally considered safer and less irritating for most individuals. Therefore, we encourage you to diligently read product labels and choose sunscreens free of potentially concerning chemicals to reduce side effects while ensuring effective sun protection.
Remember to complement sunscreen use with additional sun-protective measures, such as sun protection supplements like 360 Sun Shield, UV-protective clothing, and sunglasses.