There has been considerable hype lately about health risks posed by sunscreen itself. Organic sunscreen aside, almost all commercial brands carry potential hazards. In the end, the consumer must make the final decision based on the facts.
Of great concern to researchers is the use of nano particles in sunscreen. These are extremely small particles that can pass through membranes that have been able to block previous manufactured materials. The health risks of nano particles are not fully understood as they are the result of relatively new technology. The bottom line is finding how far toxins can go at this small size.
One harmful sunscreen ingredient that stands out is oxybenzone. This chemical helps to protect the skin and makes it easier for other chemicals to be absorbed into the skin. When mothers have been exposed to oxybenzone during pregnancy, there has been an increased instance of low birth weight among baby girls. Other negative health factors that occur more frequently include cell damage, allergies, and hormone disruption.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) came close to enacting regulations for sunscreen back in 1978, but the project was never finalized. Now, decades later, many statements made by sunscreen vendors include terms that are neither defined nor measured. Only consumers with research time to invest can make a reasonable assessment of the products.
Five out of the six active ingredients in sunscreen have been found to mimic estrogen in the human body. Risk groups for these effects include children and breast cancer patients. All of these chemicals were examined in actual breast cancer cells.
On a practical note, many commercial sunscreens fail to provide adequate protection against UVA ultraviolet rays. The common SPF ratings do not factor UVA rays, which can do considerable damage to the skin. This point can go under the “toxic by omission” category.
The verdict is still out regarding the health risks of commercial sunscreens. All parties would benefit from further clarification on the part of the FDA, and, if a consumer does not want to wait, organic sunscreens provide a safer alternative.
The author is creator of an online depot for swim shirts and UV clothing, and has also built an application for filtering best products on the Web.