Dangers of Chemical Sunscreens

Danger: Chemical Sunscreens Sunscreen is meant to be a product designed to protect the skin from the sun. The first form of sunscreen was a red, petroleum jelly like substance that was mainly used to aid troops during WWII, it then transformed into a sort of pasty, white substance of zinc oxide. As the years passed and society began to evolve into one that craved sun kissed skin, many companies started to brainstorm in search of a new kind of sunscreen. The formula they aimed for was one that protected the consumer’s skin of UV rays, as well as added a dose of skin beautifying without the white cast of UV blocking minerals. The ambitious goal that was set, however, wasn’t exactly met as the formula they produced of this topical product ended up being composed of clear chemicals that absorb UV light and weaken the top layer of the skin, as well as incorrect labeling to add to the mix. In more recent years the medical community, as well as simply concerned citizens have brought to light the dangers of these sunscreens and the more harm than actual good they may actually cause, since a good chunk of the population seems to remain oblivious. Sunscreens made of zinc oxide or titanium oxide are the most natural, safe and potent types of sunscreens out there. These kinds of sunscreens sit on the surface of the skin and physically block UV light from harming the epidermis. The only downside to these UV blocking minerals is their heavy feel on the skin, as well as their white cast. Other ingredients that may be more commonly found in some of the most popular, commercial sunscreens are oxybenzone, also referred to as benzophone-3, PABA, and retinyl palmitate, which is also sometimes labeled as retinol palmitate. In a study reviewed by Andrew Schneider of AOL Health News, these ingredients were found to be questionable as acceptably safe ingredients on the epidermis, as he specifically states “almost half of the 500 most popular sunscreen products may actually increase the speed at which malignant cells develop and spread skin cancer.” On the FDA website under sunscreen regulations, however, there is a statement of disagreement with this report as they state that though other companies may formulate their own study to prove the harm of commercial sunscreens, there is no solid proof of its harm provided by the FDA themselves. In contrast to this, Susan Melgren, of Mother Earth Living, states in an article that commercial sunscreens have shown in studies to weaken the body’s largest organ to become most vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays.
The belief in the damage that the previously mentioned dubious ingredients may cause on the consumers, is shared by many. In a CNN Health article, Danielle Dellorto informs one of the use of chemical UV absorbers in sunscreens, such as PABA and oxybenzone as they literally absorb the sun’s UV rays, which interfere with the purpose of sunscreen. The ingredient PABA, specifically, causes photosensitivity, as it is essentially an artificial estrogen that penetrates the epidermis and is capable of preventing healthy cell growth and the leaves the skin vulnerable to other ingredients that may be absorbed into the bloodstream. Furthermore, the ingredient oxybenzone is also found to weaken the skin and leave the epidermis absorbing the UV rays deeper into the dermis, thus potentially leading to cell damage which may cause melanoma (Schneider). In addition to this a Medical News Today article states that oxybenzone is also found to be a risky choice of a chemical in a sunscreen for children even with its claim of protection against UV rays, as “children have not fully developed the enzymes that are believed to break down benzophenone-3.” This is due to the fact that this compound is especially hard to break down by the human body for reasons unknown. An example of this deficiency in the human excretory system is that traces of benzophenone-3 can still be found in adults’ urine up to 5 days after the use of sunscreen.
In addition to the cell damaging ingredients, the use of the vitamin-A derivative, retinyl palmitate, in some sunscreens is found to be quite harmful to the skin; this ingredient is the same type of ingredient found in many anti-wrinkle creams and anti-acne creams meant for night-time use only (Dellorto). This ingredient has been considerably found to speed up the growth of developing lesions and skin tumors (Schneider). In 2011, 33% of all sunscreens in the U.S. contained some form of retinyl palmitate and in 2012, 25% of all sunscreens in the U.S contained retinyl palmitate (Dellorto). It is possible that sunscreen companies may use this form of vitamin-A due to its anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties that go hand in hand with skin protection. (Schneider). Nevertheless, the photo carcinogenic properties of this ingredient still stand.
In addition to the use of possibly harmful ingredients it is also proven that commercial sunscreen companies have been incorrectly labeling their sunscreens. A recent study has shown that the maximum protection a sunscreen may offer is SPF 50 blocking 98% of UVB rays, thus there is no SPF that is capable of completely blocking 100% of all UVB rays regardless of the ingredients used (Dellorto). Furthermore the incorrect labeling of sunscreens as “broad-spectrum” is also in debate as a sunscreen would need to protect the skin from both UVB and UVA rays to be considered so. “While conventional sunscreens offer protection from UVB rays, they don’t block UVA rays…UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply, to the base layer of the skin where most skin cancers occur” (Melgren). These incorrect labels are in addition to the use of the debated chemical sunscreen ingredients.
All in all, the originally intended purpose of sunscreen was for the consumer to be able to enjoy the outdoors without worry of dangerous UV rays hurting their skin in the long term or a sunburn after a long day. The sources pointing to the dangers that chemical sunscreens may possess, did just that; pointed specifically to the dangers that chemical sunscreens may solely hold. The use of sunscreen is still encouraged but with added information to help the consumer choose a sunscreen free of the dangerous chemicals mentioned.