It’s not a piece of news that people want to hear, especially on National Sun Protection Day (which is also known as Don’t Fry Day). But a recent FDA study points out that many sunscreens that people have been using for years — as many as over 500 products — can actually cause cancer.
This finding encompasses all forms of sunscreen: ointments, sprays, creams, lotions. In its annual report to consumers on sunscreen, the FDA said that only 39 out of the 500 products they tested were really considered safe and effective.
The hormone-disrupting chemical called oxybenzone may penetrate the skin and disrupt the validity and claims of the SPF label. But the biggest shocker finding was the fact that Vitamin A and its derivatives , retinol and retinyl palmitate may speed up skin cancer.
It sounds to us a case of classic media scare tactics (remember that study about how carcinogenic parabens are? Well, parabens have been around for years!). But Vitamin A has long been considered as a dangerous anti-oxidant that slows down aging. And studies are shedding light that it may be a snake in the grass.
Over zealous claims? May be, but it is prudent to keep this finding in mind, especially on Don’t Fry Day.
From Trina:
More information would have been helpful, like a list or link to the ones they consider to be safe and effective. This article didn’t minimize any scare tactic, it aided it.
From changobi:
I hope this is not the case. I’ve been using one every day since I was in my early teens thinking I was going to slow down the hands of time! Keep us posted.
From Dr. Ilaya:
As a biochemist, I remain extremely skeptical of this study and the fear mongering it appears to be generating. A quick scan of pubmed.gov (a public registry of medical and scientific studies) indicates the contrary that vitamin A exhibits anti-tumor (read anti-cancer) effects.
Furthermore, the forms of vitamin A and other anti-oxidants used in most products are broken down before they can cause any serious damage.
Rationally thinking, how many billions of people have been using sunscreen for years without consequence?
Australia has the highest consumption of sunscreen and some of the most strongest products in the world. The incidence of sunscreen induced cancers has not yet been reported, while the slight reduction in skin cancer rates ever since the push for sun protection was recognized as preventative medicine in the 80′s, has been reported.
More studies are required. Don’t buy into the fear mongering. We KNOW the sun causes Skin Cancer, so Slip, Slop and Slap that sunscreen on!