Sunscreen is essential for protecting against skin cancer, but recent research suggests some ingredients may need improvement. Melanoma rates have risen in the UK across all age groups since the early 1990s, while non-melanoma skin cancers have increased by 77% in the US over the past two decades. Exposure to UV radiation is the main cause, and sunscreen remains one of the most effective preventive measures.
However, concerns have been raised about the safety of certain sunscreen ingredients. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently removed 14 of 16 chemicals from its 'generally accepted as safe and effective' category. Among them is oxybenzone, the most common UV filter worldwide, which is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. FDA scientists found that absorption may be more than a theoretical concern, though their study involved only 24 people.
Lab and mice studies suggest that some organic UV filters, including oxybenzone, as well as parabens and phthalates found in some sunscreens, may act as endocrine disrupters that interfere with hormones. However, no human research has confirmed this. Laura Vandenberg, associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, notes that most endocrine disrupters affect male foetuses and embryos, with high-level phthalate exposure linked to disrupted genital development and potential later issues like reduced sperm count.
These compounds are not unique to sunscreens; phthalates and parabens are also found in soaps, shampoos, nail polishes, and hair products. Vandenberg's research found that oxybenzone can affect mammary gland size in mice and has been detected in breast milk, raising questions about its presence in breast tissue. Despite these concerns, dermatologists stress that the proven benefits of sunscreen in preventing skin cancer far outweigh the potential risks, and regulators continue to evaluate ingredient safety.
