![]() ![]() "UVA light is more difficult to block, but has been shown to contribute to skin aging and certain melanomas. "SPF refers to how well the product reduces penetration of UVB light, which causes sunburn and certain skin cancers," Hollmig explained. Sunscreens should be "broad-spectrum," Hollmig said, meaning they have UVA and UVB protection, with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher, and are water-resistant. If you have decision paralysis because of the mineral-versus-chemical debate, you might be overthinking it, Hollmig said: Regardless of the UV-blocking mechanism (physical or absorptive), you should look for a few key characteristics in sunscreens. To sum up, aside from the two ingredients that are not approved for use in the US, we know that chemical sunscreen ingredients are absorbed, but we don't know exactly what happens when they're absorbed and how that ultimately affects our short-term or long-term health. The FDA regulates sunscreen as an over-the-counter drug, rather than a cosmetic product, which contributes to the stricter rules. "Some fabulous sunscreens have been used for decades in Europe, and with a wonderful safety record, and yet these have never been approved in the US," he continues. "In fact, many dermatologists feel like the FDA is overly strict in regulating sunscreens in our country." "It's important to note that the FDA asking for more data does not mean the ingredients are unsafe," Hollmig said. The FDA evaluated those ingredients and concluded that "the risks associated with use of these active ingredients in sunscreen products outweigh their benefits."įor what it's worth, neither PABA nor trolamine salicylate are currently allowed in FDA-approved sunscreens. Those two ingredients are Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate. Potentially harmful ingredients in chemical sunscreen The FDA continues to advise that everyone use sunscreen to protect their skin. However, the fact that an ingredient is absorbed through the skin and into the body does not mean that the ingredient is unsafe, nor does the FDA seeking further information indicate such." The brief reports that "there is evidence that some sunscreen active ingredients may be absorbed. In January 2020, the FDA released a brief about a clinical trial that looked at the absorption of sunscreens. In February 2019, the FDA issued a proposed rule asking manufacturers to provide more data about the safety of certain sunscreen ingredients which have been used in the US for years. ![]() The FDA is working to gather more safety data about the extent to which our skin absorbs approved sunscreen ingredients and, most importantly, whether absorbing sunscreen has any effects on your skin or body. So, while it's true that chemical sunscreen does indeed get absorbed by the body, more information is needed on what exactly the health implications are when this happens with currently approved sunscreen ingredients. Two ingredients can be harmful when absorbed through the skin (more on that below), but as of this writing, claims that approved chemical sunscreens are toxic or a hazard to human health have not been proven, said Hollmig. It's a fair concern: Ingredients from certain sunscreens have been demonstrated to be absorbed and enter the bloodstream, although no data to date shows that any FDA-approved chemical sunscreens are harmful, Hollmig said. Physical (also called mineral) sunscreens, on the other hand, contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Because of their makeup, chemical sunscreens tend to "be more elegant in terms of ease of application and minimizing that icky white residue," Hollmig said. "Chemical sunscreens act almost like a sponge, absorbing UV light, while physical sunscreens act more like a shield, deflecting the sun's rays," Hollmig explained.Ĭommon ingredients in chemical - or conventional - sunscreens include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. They're either classified as chemical or physical, based on how they work.īoth classes have been shown to reduce short- and long-term damage to the skin, reduce the risk of sunburn and of skin cancer, Hollmig said: The only real difference, he points out, is how they do that. Tyler Hollmig, director of dermatologic surgery at University of Texas Dell Medical School in Austin, tells CNET. Sunscreens are divided into two major classes, Dr. When it comes to protecting your skin in the summer, you have options. Chemical sunscreens tend to go on the skin easier, while mineral sunscreens are often difficult to rub in. ![]()
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