Sunscreens have been recommended for years as an effective way to combat sunburn and help prevent premature ageing and skin cancer. Many people who live in countries where the presence of sunlight is strong, there the use of sunscreen becomes necessity for everyday life. Sunscreens plays an essential part in protecting skin against harmful ultraviolet radiation. However, ongoing research about certain ingredients used to produce sunscreens has raised concern for individual’s health, as well as for the environment.
The Importance of sunscreen
Ultraviolet rays, particularly UVAs and UVBs can damage skin cells and can cause pigmentation. Additionally, they proven to weaken the skin’s immune response by increasing the risk of skin cancer. Using sunscreen allows the absorption or reflection of ultraviolet rays into the skin. When sunscreen is used appropriately, its benefits far outweigh the risk of sun-related damage to the skin. Many people believe that because of the protection offered by the use of sunscreen, the ingredients in many of these products do not pose any danger. However, there is now evidence to support the idea that some particular chemical UV filters that provide protection against the sun may potentially cause harm.
Potentially Sunscreen Harmful Ingredients
Chemicals classified as chemical UV filters used in most traditional sunscreens and responsible for absorbing and or reflecting ultraviolet rays. Some ingredients in sunscreens, however, have linked to potential health problems.
Oxybenzone has been found to be absorbed through the skin barrier and is detectable in human urine and blood. It mimics the hormone estrogen and can interfere with hormones. Oxybenzone has also been linked with a variety of allergic skin responses and increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Octinoxate, another common add-on used in sunscreens to protect against UVA and UVB light, and has found to have hormonal-disruptive properties in laboratory testing. Some individuals experience allergic reactions when they use products containing octinoxate. In addition, octinoxate is harmful to coral reefs and has led to the implementation of restrictions on its use in some areas along coastal lines.
Homosalate is one of the first UV filters added to cosmetics; it is primarily used to increase UVB protection for the skin. Some research suggests that it can accumulate in the body and disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system. There is also research that indicates that homosalate may allow for the increased absorption of certain chemicals through the skin.
Other additives commonly used in cosmetics, like parabens and phthalates, are often added to improve shelf life or scent stability, and are asociated with creating hormonal imbalance and possible long-term health effects. Retinyl palmitate, which is a form of vitamin A sometimes used for skin benefit, increases the skin barrier’s sensitivity to sunlight and could result in skin damage rather than protecting it.
Environmental Impact
The chemicals used in many sunscreens can have devastating effects on the environment. Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, two of the most commonly used sunscreen chemical compounds, are known to cause coral bleaching, damage marine DNA and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. As a result, many governments have outlawed or limited the use of these sunscreens in environmentally sensitive locations.
Safer Options and Solutions
Despite the fact that the presence of harmful chemicals should be avoided in sunscreens, it does not mean that people should stop using sunscreen altogether. The key is to make educated choices to minimize risk.
Mineral or “physical” sunscreens, which use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are the safest alternatives to chemical sunscreens and form a physical barrier on the skin that reflects UV rays instead of being absorbed into the bloodstream. Furthermore, these types of sunscreens are much less harmful to marine life.
It is also important for consumers to read labels carefully, and to select sunscreens without oxybenzone, octinoxate, synthetic fragrances (scented) or parabens. Sunscreens labeled “reef safe” will typically not use chemicals known to be harmful to marine ecosystems.
There are additional steps beyond simply applying sunscreen that one should take to protect your skin from harm due to overexposure to sunlight. Avoiding sun exposure during peak hours (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) and wearing clothing (including hats and sunglasses) that provides additional protection from UV radiation will reduce exposure significantly. The body’s defence system can be supported through proper hydration and a diet rich in antioxidant compounds.
Conclusion
The applied use of sunscreen for the protection of the skin from the effects of UV rays remains one way to protect yourself from health damage, but many of today’s sunscreens offer different levels of safety when it comes to their ingredient components as well as the availability of the product. Being aware of product ingredients that may be dangerous to your health will enable consumers to make smarter decisions while receiving adequate protection from UV radiation. Increased regulation in the area of product development, improved labelling practices and safer product formulation will be key to ensuring that sunscreens will continue to provide adequate protection to consumers and to protect the environment as well.
Sources Used for This Article
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Sunscreen ingredient safety reviews
- Environmental Working Group (EWG) – Sunscreen Guide and chemical analysis
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Studies on chemical UV filters and hormone disruption
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) – Sunscreen effectiveness and recommendations
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – Research on sunscreen chemicals and coral reef damage
- Scientific studies published in journals such as Environmental Health Perspectives and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
Edited by Ankita Deb