Is Your Sunscreen Safe?

Sunscreens are indispensable for all of us during the summer months. However, improperly chosen sunscreens can do more harm than good.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), an American NGO focused on environmental research, made concerning statements in the fourth edition of their annual “Sunscreen Guide.” Scientists tested 500 different sunscreens for the safety of their ingredients and their SPF factors. But why did most sunscreens fail?

According to a study conducted by the FDA, retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, can promote the progression of tumors and lesions on the skin when applied under sunlight (NTP 2009). This information is quite troubling considering that the sunscreen industry adds vitamin A to 1 in 4 products. Manufacturers add vitamin A to products for its antioxidant properties, which are believed to prevent skin aging. However, unlike lotions and night creams used indoors, sunscreens are applied to the skin under sunlight. In an FDA study conducted over a year on animals, it was observed that animals exposed to high-intensity sunlight for just 9 minutes daily developed tumors and lesions more quickly when using vitamin A creams compared to those that did not use such creams. Scientists have known for some time that applying vitamin A to the skin under sunlight can cause hyperplasia, or excessive cell growth, and the formation of free radicals that damage DNA. These findings raise questions about sunscreens, which are often chosen for their perceived protection against skin cancer. Although the results from the FDA study are not yet conclusive enough for a final judgment, the Environmental Working Group currently recommends avoiding sunscreens that contain vitamin A.

***(Vitamin A is listed on labels as retinyl palmitate or retinol).