Chemical sunscreens from some of the most popular brands contain parabens (hormone-disrupting preservatives) and polyethylene glycol (listed as PEG with a number beside it), which actually makes skin more susceptible to absorbing toxins.
“There are different ways to get protection from the sun. There are physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which literally block and deflect UVA and UVB rays, and then there are chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays before they can cause damage to the skin… As a general rule, if the bottle boasts SPF and doesn’t specify that it is a mineral or physical blocker, it contains some chemical suns creen.
Risk Factor: High.
There are many different kinds. They include:
- Padimate-O (aka PABA) – like titanium dioxide, a physical blocker – is a suspected carcinogen. (In most cases, titanium dioxide is off the hook because it is not absorbed by the skin unless it’s in nanoparticle form.
- oxybenzone (benzophenone) – has shown endocrine disruption in animals and is absorbed easily by skin – in fact, 97 percent of use have it in our urine.
- homosalate, octinoxate, octyl-methoxycinnamate – also suspected of messing with our hormones.” – Siobhan O’Conner and Alexandra Spunt “No More Dirty Looks” page 37-38.
About PADIMATE O: A derivative of the once-popular PABA sunscreen ingredient, research shows this chemical releases free radicals, damages DNA, has estrogenic activity, and causes allergic reactions in some people.
Function/use(s): Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber; UV ABSORBER; UV FILTER
Contamination concerns: NITROSAMINES
Other HIGH concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
Other LOW concerns: Endocrine disruption, Ecotoxicology, Data gaps
Synonym(s): ETHYLHEXYL DIMETHYL PABA, BENZOIC ACID, 4- (DIMETHYLAMINO) -, OCTYL ESTER; 4- (DIMETHYLAMINO) BENZOIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER; 2-ETHYLHEXYL 4-DIMETHYL-AMINOBENZOATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL PARADIMETHYLAMINO BENZOATE; OCTY L DIMETHYL PABA; OCTYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID, 4- (DIMETHYLAMINO) -; 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER 4- (DIMETHYLAMINO) BENZOIC ACID; 4- (DIMETHYLAMINO) – OCTYL ESTER BENZOIC ACID; PADIMATE O (OCTYL DIMETHYL PABA | PABA ESTER) ; 2-ETHYLHEXYL 4- (DIMETHYLAMINO) BENZOATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL P-DIMETHYLAMINOBENZOATE
from: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient.php?ingred06=704392
About OXYBENZONE: Oxybenzone is a sunscreen ingredient associated with photoallergic reactions. This chemical absorbs through the skin in significant amounts. It contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans according to Centers for Disease Control research.
Function/use(s): Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber; UV ABSORBER; UV FILTER
Other HIGH concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
Other MODERATE concerns: Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation
Other LOW concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Data gaps
Synonym(s): BENZOPHENONE-3, 2-BENZOYL-5-METHOXYPHENOL; 2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYBENZOPHENONE; (2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL) PHENYLMETHANONE; METHANONE, (2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL) PHENYL-; (2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYPHENYL) PHENYL- METHANONE; OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) ; OXYBENZONE 6; METHANONE, (2HYDROXY4METHOXYPHENYL) PHENYL; B3; DURASCREEN; SOLAQUIN
from: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient.php?ingred06=704372
About HOMOSALATE: Homosalate is a synthetic sunscreen ingredient and UVB protector. Research indicates it is a weak hormone disruptor, forms toxic metabolites, and can enhance the penetration of a toxic herbicide.
Function/use(s): Fragrance Ingredient; Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber; SKIN CONDITIONING; UV ABSORBER; UV FILTER
Contamination concerns: SALICYLIC ACID, TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANOL
Other HIGH concerns: Enhanced skin absorption
Other MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
Other LOW concerns: Endocrine disruption, Ecotoxicology, Data gaps
Synonym(s): CYCLOHEXANOL, 3,3,5-TRIMETHYL-, SALICYLATE; HOMOMENTHYL SALICYLATE; METAHOMOMENTHYL SALICYLATE; 3,3,5-TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXYL 2-HYDROXYBENZOATE; SALICYLATE CYCLOHEXANOL, 3,3,5-TRIMETHYL-; 3,3,5-TRIMETHYL- SALICYLATE CYCLOHEXANOL; SALICYLIC ACID, M-HOMOMENTHYL ESTER; HOM; 3,3,5-TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXYL SALICYLATE; CCRIS 4885; CASWELL NO. 482B
from: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702867/HOMOSALATE/
About OCTINOXATE: The most widely used sunscreen ingredient, known for its low potential to sensitize skin or act as a phototallergen. Estrogenic effects are noted in laboratory animals as well as disruption of thyroid hormone and brain signaling.
Function/use(s): UV ABSORBER; UV FILTER
Other HIGH concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
Other MODERATE concerns: Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation
Other LOW concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology
Synonym(s): ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, 2-ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL 4-METHOXYCINNAMATE; P-METHOXYCINNAMIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER; OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER P-METHOXYCINNAMIC ACID; OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) ; OMC; 2-ETHYLHEXYL-4-METHOXYCINNAMATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATE; AI3-05710; CCRIS 6200
from: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/704203/OCTINOXATE/
- Look up the sunscreens you use, and check out the EWG’s top-rated sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB-sunburn) protection: http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/
- From the CBC: Kelly Crowe interviewed McGill University chemistry Prof. Joe Schwarcz in Montreal and Gil Deacon, Toronto-based author of There’s Lead in Your Lipstick, about sunscreen ingredients.: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/06/30/f-sunscreen-ingredients.html
No comments:
Post a Comment