Melissa Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated January 1, 2014

Safety Concerns with Sunscreen

Annie Berthold-Bond, Care2, 2002

Six frequently used UVA and UVB sunscreens were tested by the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Zurch, Switzerland, for estrogenicity, and reported in "Environmental Health Perspectives," 28 February 2001.

Chemicals that are estrogenic can be considered endocrine disrupters, fooling the body into believing they were natural hormones, which can cause reproductive problems. The chemicals analyzed were

1. benzophenone-3 (Bp-3)

2. homosalate (HMS)

3. 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC)

4. octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC)

5. octyl-dimethyl-PABA (OD-PABA)

6. butyl-methoxydibenzoylmethane (B-MDM)

The first five of these chemicals, found in sunscreens of every type, were found to be estrogenic, whereas the sixth was inactive. The researchers concluded that there was enough evidence of estrogenicity for further studies to be warranted.

Abiding by the Precautionary Principle, it makes sense to choose products free of these chemicals until more research has been completed into possible long-term effects in humans and wildlife.

Chemical-free and natural sunscreens use titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and PABA. They are physical barrier-type sunscreens and generally less irritating. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Brands using these natural sunscreens include Kiss My Face's Sun Care SPF 18 and Sun Care SPF 30; Aubrey Organics' Ultra Natural Herbal Sunblock, Titania SPF 25 Full Spectrum Sunblock, and Green Tea Sunblock (ingredients in green tea have been shown to protect against skin cancer); and Logona Kosmetik's Sun Milk line of mineral sun protection products. Read labels carefully.

Important Note: Until recently, sunscreens have protected only against UVB rays, not UVA rays. UVB rays cause sunburn, and if you screen them you might stay in the sun longer, overexposing yourself unprotected to UVA rays. UV rays are the most intense from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. We need to wear sunblock effective against UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 15, year-round. As noted above, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Related Articles

Sun block: Gender-bending chemicals that mimic oestrogen

A Fish Called Wayne-Wanda