Recently there have been many articles in the media filled with allegations about sunscreen ingredients causing cancer. There’s no doubt that these scientific-sounding claims are frightening. On the surface, this sunscreen information seems legitimate. However, when I researched these allegations, I discovered that many of the claims were either misleading or based on studies that were ignorant of the formulation techniques used for making skin care products containing these sunscreen ingredients.
Research has proven that the daily use of a properly applied broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30+ is the best way to protect yourself from skin cancer. It is also the single most important step you can take to prevent premature aging. Regardless of the extensive research proving the benefits of daily sunscreen use, the debate over the safety of sunscreens continues. If the claims that sunscreens cause cancer had any validity cancer rates would surely have increased. Yet 2012 statistics from the American Cancer Society dispute these claims by reporting that the overall occurrences of cancer in the US have decreased.
The sunscreen ingredients listed below have been criticized and denounced for their safety profiles. Here’s the reality check you need to separate fact from fiction.
Retinyl Palmitate, a natural form of Vitamin A, has multiple benefits. It’s a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and protects the skin from sunburn. Retinyl Palmitate is globally approved for use in sunscreens.
Regretfully, this essential vitamin has been denigrated by a ten-year-old unpublished, non-peer reviewed study that asserts Retinyl Palmitate increases the risk of skin cancer. The methodology used by researchers in this study is faulty because the way they used Retinyl Palmitate is not how cosmetic chemists formulate products with this ingredient. In addition, their rodent subjects were from a breed predisposed to skin cancer. Furthermore, the researchers in this study didn't test sunscreens containing Retinyl Palmitate. Conversely, they applied high concentrations of this ingredient directly to the rodent's skin.
In 2011 Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine published a study on Retinyl Palmitate from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. This study concluded that the available proof from in vitro and animal studies doesn't substantiate claims that Retinyl Palmitate causes an increased risk of skin cancer. Moreover, their study also acknowledges that years of scientific observations confirm that Retinyl Palmitate is safe for use in all topical applications, including sunscreens.
For over two decades Oxybenzone has been used as a sunscreen active. The safety data on it is comprehensive. It is also recognized universally as a safe and effective sunscreen agent. However, in July 2008 the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives published an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which reported that the urine of 97% of its test subjects contained Oxybenzone. As frightening as this sounds, the appearance of elements like Oxybenzone in urine isn’t evidence of anything on its own.
Three American dermatologic authorities agree on the safety of Oxybenzone. First, the American Academy of Dermatology concurs that there isn't any data proving that Oxybenzone causes any important health problems in humans. Second, the Skin Cancer Foundation Photobiology Committee agrees that there is no evidence that Oxybenzone has any adverse health effect in humans. Finally, the 2011 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center published a study in Photodermatolgy, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, emphasizing that current evidence does not show any biologically compelling proof of hormonal breakdown when Oxybenzone is topically applied to humans. Oxybenzone’s role as an accepted, safe UV protectant continues to be investigated by the international scientific community.
Get the facts on other sunscreen agents subjected to unsubstantiated cancer causing claims in my next post.
Sources: British Journal of Dermatology, 2009, pages 630–634; Environmental Health Perspectives, page 116; Journal of the American Medical Association, 2011, pages 302-303; Journal of Dermatological Science, 2009, pages 10-18; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, pages 58–67; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009.
Leave a comment