In the United States these typically include aminobenzoic acid, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone. Oxybenzone has received the worst press because of concerns that it may act as what is known as a hormone disrupter.
A hormone disruptor is a chemical that has the ability to cross cell membranes and may interfere with your body's natural hormone production.
However, there has been no conclusive evidence that oxybenzone is harmful to humans. Organizations that have raised concerns about oxybenzone typically cite studies done in rats, where the rats were actually fed oxybenzone. It would take an individual years of sunscreen use to achieve the equivalent systemic dose that produced effects in these rat studies, according to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Oxybenzone is also known to cause allergic reactions in some people, although this is not common. Even if you avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, you may encounter it in other products, including plastic, hairspray, and nail polish. At this point, we are not recommending our patients avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, and if people choose to do so, they should be aware that the chemical exists in many other common products of daily use.
These conclusions come incorrectly from studies where individuals who used sunscreen had a higher risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. This false association was made because the individuals who used sunscreen were the same ones who were traveling to sunnier climates and sunbathing. In other words, it was the high amounts of sun exposure, not the sunscreen, that elevated their risk of skin cancer.
Some claim that sunscreen doesn't prevent the three main types of skin cancer. Is this true? No, there are excellent studies that sunscreen protects against all three of the most common skin cancers: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The degree of protection that sunscreen provides is directly related to the degree to which ultraviolet radiation is associated with the formation of the skin cancer.
One online article claims that sunscreen is actually poisoning people. Are the nanoparticles that are used in sunscreens with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide harmful? Manufacturers use nanoparticles in the physical sun blockers I mentioned above. Nanoparticles are made using a process called micronizing that breaks up larger particles. This makes the sunscreens easier to apply and allows them to disappear into the skin, in contrast to the greasy, white sunblocks of the past.
I think that these physical blockers are much easier to use now that they are frequently micronized. Aside from any one precise ingredient, there are concerns that sunscreen prevents the human body from making vitamin D, which we mostly get from Sun exposure. After all, vitamin D deficiency might be more prevalent than we think — could sunscreen use be to blame? A panel of 13 leading experts from around the world met in to discuss the balance of vitamin D and Sun protection and concluded that sunscreens are unlikely to affect the vitamin D status of healthy adults.
Concerns around sunscreen blocking vitamin D production also may be overstated because so few people use sunscreen correctly, according to Weller. Most people apply around a quarter of that, he says. Still, one such benefit could be that UV radiation releases nitric oxide , a molecule produced in the body that dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, which suggests that sunscreen may prevent these benefits, according to Weller.
Weller argues reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease is more important than reducing rates of skin cancer because, while rates of both are rising globally, heart disease kills a much larger proportion of people.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally — However, Weller acknowledges that his argument is controversial, and that the strongest body of evidence we have clearly points to sunscreen being beneficial to our health. Meanwhile, some argue that the confidence sunscreen gives us could be one reason why skin cancer rates are rising, particularly among older generations.
Sunscreen emboldens us to spend longer in the Sun than we would otherwise, says Leffell. Dozens of studies have demonstrated that UV filters pose a risk to marine life. Many of these chemicals can contaminate marine mammals, sea birds , fish and corals. In one study looking at coral communities in Hong Kong waters, researchers found higher levels of sunscreen when there is increased human activity on the coast. Some coral samples contained levels high enough to cause deformities and death in immature corals.
The healthiest way to do so — for both ourselves and for wildlife — is with clothing, finding shade and avoiding midday Sun. If you have any concerns about sunscreens, discuss them with your dermatologist. Stone recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or above to prevent sun damage. There is no evidence that mineral sunscreens significantly penetrate the skin , making them a safe alternative for those worried about the ingredients in chemical sunscreens.
However, Bodemer says there are concerns over aerosolized, or spray versions, of mineral sunscreens. Because you can potentially inhale titanium dioxide, and to a lesser extent zinc oxide, which can damage the lungs. There's no evidence that sunscreen is bad for you.
Though a small FDA study found that the body can absorb some chemicals for certain sunscreens, it hasn't been proven that it has any adverse health effects. However, it is proven that failing to protect yourself from the sun's UV rays can increase your risk for multiple types of skin cancer. Make sure to always apply sunscreen when outside in direct sunlight. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.
Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Women's Health. Then you need to increase the frequency of applications. According to Bailey, the combination of the chemical sunscreen ingredient octinoxate with zinc oxide works really well, usually rubs in pretty clear, and limits the chemical exposure to just one chemical UV filter.
Plus, it evens the skin tone. There is still a lot of research to be done when it comes to whether or not chemical sunscreens are safe to use. At the end of the day, you do have to weigh whether it's best for you and whether you want to risk exposing yourself to a possible endocrine disruptor. Thankfully, most skincare brands today offer both chemical and mineral formulations.
Although mineral sunscreens tend to feel heavier and leave a trace, they are mostly non-comedogenic and tend to be associated with less adverse skin irritations than chemical sunscreen formulations, and thus are a good choice for folks with acne-prone, oily, or sensitive skin types. We Investigate. Thank you [email] for signing up. Please enter a valid email address. Your Privacy Rights.
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