Bridget Shoaf

ENG 112

Mrs. Carroll

12 October 2019

Does Sunscreen Benefits Outweigh the Risk?

For many years people have benefited from using sunscreen to protect them from the

harmful ultra violet rays of the sun. Although all of the sunscreens that are purchased over-the-

counter or at a physician’s office have had to go through many studies and get approved by the

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and determined to be safe before they are made available

to the public, a series of recent studies have raised concerns on the dangers of sun protection.

With the many choices of sunscreen available, consumers want to be confident in the safety of

the products they are choosing for themselves or loved ones. This report will evaluate the two

types of sunscreens as well as the benefits and risks.

Sunscreens are divided into two: types chemical and physical. “Chemical sunscreens are

made up of two main ingredients: Octinoxate and Oxybutzone which are absorbed through the

skin and it also absorbs UV rays rather than blocking them”(Uhland). Physical sunscreens are

made differently, which also blocks the UV rays rather than absorbing them “Physical

sunscreens are made from minerals Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide” (Uhland), which block the

UV rays from the sun. They also offer 20 percent more protection from UVA rays than their

chemical counterparts; however, studies show chemical ingredients are readily absorbed into the

body. According to the Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit

research organization, a report was released last year analyzing almost 1,000 sunscreens and 400
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peer-reviewed studies on sunscreen ingredients. Physical sunscreens can leave a white residue

much like skin care barriers and pastes with zinc oxide, such as diaper cream. Both chemical and

physical sunscreens can be purchased as a lotion, cream, or spray and normally have a maximal

of 120 minute sun protection which means they need to be reapplied every two hours throughout

the day to give you the most protection. Labeling is a big part of sunscreens, “Sunscreen

products have three basic labeling requirements. One that does not provide broad spectrum

protection or are broad spectrum with SPF less than 15 will need to carry a warning that reads

skin cancer/ skin aging alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and

early skin aging” (Haak). Sunscreens with these labeling don’t actually prevent skin cancer

“These products help prevent sunburns but do not prevent skin cancer or early aging. The second

label is water resistant products that protect you while you are swimming or sweating. These will

either have a 40 or 80 minute resistant time.” In addition, products will no longer be able to bear

the words waterproof, sweatproof or sunblock. Companies will also need prior approval from the

FDA to state that their products provide either immediate protection or protection for more than

two hours. More changes may be on the horizon as research is being done on whether SPFs

higher than 50 provide any additional protection or if products should instead be labeled as SPF

50+” (Haak).

However, there are multiple benefits from wearing sunscreen every day and many

people fail to realize that early sun protection is not only cosmetically beneficial, but it also can

prevent skin cancers which may results in surgeries to be removed and possible death if not

diagnosed in a timely manner. “Sunscreen protects us from the harmful rays of the sun. Too

much exposure to sun can lead to wrinkles, skin cancer and melanoma, a deadly form of skin
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cancer” (Gardner). Dermatologists believe that even small daily exposure to the suns dangerous

rays can be damaging:

People should realize that even during every day incidental sun exposure harms the skin as

it accumulates and can result in premature aging. Wearing sun protection everyday will

prevent from premature wrinkling, discoloration (also known as “sun spots”), and skin

cancers. Although many Americans wear sunscreen, they fail to reapply it every two hours

which in turn will stop the protection from harmful sun rays.(Overexposure)

Oxybutzone is a chemical that is found in sunscreens that seeps into the bloodstream and

“have been banned in Hawaii and Key West, as well as by countries such as Palau, Bonaire, and

Aruba”(Oxybenzone). Researchers at the US Food and Drug Authority (FDA) did a clinical trial

on molecules in the sunscreen which showed that the UV blocking sunscreens do in fact seep

into the blood, but there isn’t any evidence of it doing anything harmful to the inside of the body.

This also goes on by saying this research could impact the over the counter sunscreen line by

changing the options, if they find evidence that would make certain contents in sunscreen that

could potently be dangerous.. The Center for Disease Control’s national report on human

exposure to environmental chemicals demonstrated that approximately ninety seven percent of

the people tested have oxybenzone present in their urine. Independent scientists have reported

various concentrations in waterways and fish worldwide. This creates a real problem on marine

life and the safety of the waterways.

Oxybenzone has been known to react with chlorine, causing hazardous by-products in

swimming pools and wastewater treatment plants. This can be washed off, but:
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Washing the ingredient off our bodies and having it return in drinking water as treatment

plants do not effectively remove the chemical as part of their processing protocols. In

humans, oxybenzone has been reported to produce contact and photocontact allergy

reactions, implemented as a possible endocrine disruptor and has been linked to

Hirschsprung's disease. (Dinardo)

as well as other birth defects. Toxicological data generated by the U.S. Health & Human

Services' National Toxicology Program, show that Oxybenzone can cause endocrine disruption

to an animal's reproductive physiology such as: reduced sperm density and reduced prostate size

in young males. Oxybenzone exposure has been linked to increases in endometriosis, alterations

of lactation expression, as well as some birth abnormalities. Due to this study, it is

recommended that pregnant women do not use products containing this ingredient during their

first trimester.

Although there is a lot of controversy on whether “chemical” or “physical” Many people

wonder whether the benefits and risks outweigh the alternative of possible skin cancer.

Therefore, if “someone is worried about the risk with chemical sunscreens then one thing they

suggest is to opt to use a physical sunscreen which zinc oxide and titanium dioxide” (Asma).

These sunscreens relay on blocking the sun from the skin without entering the bloodstream, but it

does have a down fall which could leave a whitish residue on the skin. However, the choice

ultimately comes down to the individual and the best choice for them.
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Works Cited

Asma, Ali Z. "Sunscreen Chemicals Seep into Bloodstream, but Impact Unclear." TCA

Regional News, May 12, 2019. ProQuest,

https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview

/2223120222?accountid=10163.

DiNardo, Joseph C., and Craig A. Downs. "Dermatological and Environmental Toxicological

Impact of the Sunscreen Ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3." Journal of

Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 17, no. 1, 2018, pp. 15-19. ProQuest,

https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview

/1958535685?accountid=10163, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12449.

Gardner, Karen. "Is Sunscreen Safe?: Exposure to Sun Vs. Other Health, Environmental

Concerns." McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Jul 28, 2009. ProQuest,

https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview

/464671924?accountid=10163.

Haak, Alyssa. "Sunscreens: No Sweat Over New FDA Rules." Supermarket News, 2012.

ProQuest,
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https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview

/1022970243?accountid=10163.

"Overexposure to the Sun can Happen Indoors and Outdoors; Journal of the American

Academy of Dermatology Article Offers Information about the Recent Development

in Sun Protection Provided by Window and Automobile Glass, and Sunglasses." PR

Newswire, May 01, 2006. ProQuest,

https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview

/448318289?accountid=10163.

"Oxybenzone from Sunscreens Threatens Birth Defect." M2 Presswire, Mar 29, 2019.

ProQuest,

https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview

/2199252638?accountid=10163.

Uhland, Vicky. "Sunscreen Concerns Heating Up." Natural Foods Merchandiser, vol. 29, no. 7,

07, 2008, pp. 30-30,32. ProQuest,

https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview

/219598347?accountid=10163.