Are Chemical Sunscreens Safe? What The Science Says

In recent times, chemical sunscreens have shifted from being household staples to topics of controversy. This is largely due to certain concerns regarding ingredient absorption, recent environmental concerns, hormone disruption and long-term safety, along with a surge of social media health claims. Here’s your short answer: current evidence supports the safety of approved chemical sunscreens, though certain ingredients continue to be studied. Health authorities worldwide still recommend daily use of SPF for effective protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun. 

In this dermatologist-approved guide, we walk you through how they work,  chemical sunscreen safety, differences between mineral vs chemical sunscreens, and give you evidence-backed examples of what research has to say about chemical sunscreens. 

What Are Chemical Sunscreens and How Do They Work?

First, let’s understand how chemical sunscreens work

How Chemical Sunscreens Protect Your Skin

Think of chemical sunscreens as a sponge. They protect your skin by absorbing UV radiation, converting it into harmless heat, before it gets a chance to cause any damage to the skin and then release it. 

(UT MD Anderson). 

Common Ingredients Found in Chemical Sunscreens

Here are some ingredients found in chemical sunscreens: 

• Avobenzone

• Octocrylene

• Homosalate

• Octisalate

• Oxybenzone (where applicable)

Key Takeaway Box: 

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation, convert them into harmless heat and release it from your skin, helping prevent risks of skin cancer, premature ageing and pigmentation

Why Are People Concerned About Chemical Sunscreens?

Here are some concerns regarding chemical sunscreens

 Studies Showing Ingredient Absorption

There have been concerns regarding detecting certain ingredient absorption into the bloodstreams. In 2019 and 2020, studies done by the FDA showed that older chemical filters such as oxybenzone and avobenzone enter the bloodstream after a single use. Although the FDA explicitly stated that absorption does not mean unsafe, they are generally not a part of GREASE (Generally Recognised as Safe and Effective). 

Concerns About Hormones and Long-Term Health

Some ingredients in older chemical sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and homosalate, have molecular structures that closely mimic natural hormones, particularly that of estrogen. When these chemicals enter the bloodstream, they can bind to cellular hormone receptors and in theory, disrupt your endocrine system by blocking out the natural hormone or triggering abnormal hormone signals. 

Key takeaway: 

Many concerns stem from laboratory research and not confirmed, real-world human application and practice.Current data does not show impact hormone levels in any negative way. 

What Does the Research Actually Say?

Let’s see what current research out there states about chemical sunscreens

Findings From Human Safety Studies

A landmark clinical study done by JAMA Dermatology, calculated that someone would need to apply a standard amount of sunscreen containing oxybenzone over 100% of their body for roughly over 270 years to match the total lifetime dose that showed hormonal changes in the study.  

 What Health Organizations Recommend

• While the FDA has instructed more data from manufactures to evaluate the impact of absorption, current peer-reviewed studies have repeatedly emphasized that there is no association of negative health impacts that have been recorded in humans till date.

(Source: Science Direct)

• The American Academy of Dermatology also notes the lack of evidence suggesting any sunscreen ingredients currently available in the market today are harmful to human health. They do still call ingredient transparency, repeatedly, which is most important. 

 Understanding the Difference Between Risk and Hazard

Detecting a substance is very different from proving that it causes harm. Hazard refers to something that can potentially cause harm in certain circumstances. On the other hand, risk refers to the likelihood of it causing harm in real-world use. Many substances can be completely safe in normal doses, and in high doses, dangerous or a cause of concern. Same applies for sunscreens or skincare.

Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreens: Which Is Better? 

Benefits of Chemical Sunscreens

• They are more lightweight 

• Easier for daily wear, blends great under makeup 

• Water-resistant chemical sunscreen formulas work great for outdoor sports/ activity 

• Leave no white cast 

 Benefits of Mineral Sunscreens

Mineral sunscreens act more like a protective shield, rather than a sponge, sitting on top of the skin to reflect or scatter UV rays (UT MD Anderson). 

Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide. 

• They are extremely gentle on skin, often preferred for sensitive skin, babies and pregnant women.

• Popular among ingredient-conscious consumers

Here’s a quick table for your reference: 

Should You Avoid Chemical Sunscreens? 

Your short answer: never! Here’s why:

The Risk of Skipping Sunscreen

• Greater risk of skin cancer 

• Premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles 

• Hyperpigmentation, tanning, sunburn and long term effects of sun damage, like even cellular damage.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen for Your Needs

• Consider your skin type. 

• Consider ingredient preferences, always make your decision based on your preferred and researched ingredient 

• Prioritize broad-spectrum protection, meaning both UVA+ UVB protection and consistent use. Choose a dermatologist approved blog on what broad-spectrum means to understand why it’s so important for protecting your skin. 

Choosing the right sunscreen can be daunting, especially if you’re a skincare beginner, just starting out. Follow dermat-recommended guides on how you can choose the best sunscreen for your skin type.

Expert Tip Box: 

Remember, the best sunscreen is the one you’ll wear consistently, every day! So choose the right one for your skin type and skin needs. 

Final Verdict

Let’s recap: 

Current scientific evidence fully supports the safety of approved chemical sunscreens currently in the market today. Major global authorities like the FDA and the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) confirm this. 

• Absorption does not mean toxicity: While some ingredients continue to be heavily researched, no significant health risks have been observed or demonstrated in humans (National Library of Medicine). 

• You always have a choice: If you’re ingredient-conscious, you do not need to skip protection, all together! There are always mineral sunscreens as an alternative option.

• The real enemy is the sun: The proven benefits of SPF far outweigh the shadows of doubt and theoretical concerns surrounding SPF (PubMed). 

This is why dermatologists always recommend a broad-spectrum, lightweight sunscreen formula to help you build a consistent routine to help protect yourself from the harmful UV effects of the sun in the short term as well as the long haul for overall healthier skin. 

FAQs

Are chemical sunscreens absorbed into the body?

Chemical sunscreens work like a sponge, absorbing the UV rays, converting them into harmless heat, then releasing them. They do get absorbed into the skin but current evidence states no human risk when absorbed. 

Do chemical sunscreens affect hormones?

No, there is no conclusive evidence stating that sunscreens alter or disrupt hormones in humans. 

Are mineral sunscreens safer than chemical sunscreens? 

Mineral sunscreens contain ingredients (Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide) that are classified by the FDA as GREASE (Generally Recognised as Safe and Effective). At the same time, there is no data considering chemical sunscreen ingredients unsafe, either.