A recent safety review by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has raised eyebrows about the chemicals in your sunscreen. The findings spotlight seven common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens, with two—homosalate and oxybenzone—flagged for tighter restrictions due to potential endocrine system risks. But before you toss your sunscreen, let’s break down what this means for you.
Why the Review?
Sunscreens in Australia face rigorous testing before hitting shelves, ensuring both safety and effectiveness. The TGA’s latest review, prompted by updated exposure models and global regulatory shifts, scrutinized how much sunscreen we typically use, how it’s applied (face, hands, or whole body), and how it’s absorbed into the skin. This led to a deep dive into seven key chemical sunscreen ingredients.
What’s in Your Sunscreen?
Sunscreens come in two types: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens, using minerals like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, reflect and absorb UV rays. Chemical sunscreens, the focus of this review, use compounds like homosalate and oxybenzone to absorb UV light, protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. These active ingredients are what make sunscreen work, while inactive ones handle texture, scent, or absorption.
Also Read: Jerusalem’s Yoga Explosion: Why Hundreds Are Stretching for Peace!
The Findings
The TGA’s safety threshold uses a “margin of safety” 100 times lower than levels showing no harm in animal studies, accounting for potential human sensitivity. Five of the seven ingredients passed with flying colors, deemed low-risk for long-term use. However, homosalate and oxybenzone fell short of this margin at their maximum permitted concentrations (15% and 10%, respectively) under worst-case, full-body application scenarios. At lower concentrations or limited use (e.g., face and hands), both are considered safer.
Health Concerns: Real or Hype?
Homosalate and oxybenzone don’t pose immediate dangers—you’d need to ingest nearly half a kilogram for toxic effects, and they don’t irritate skin or eyes. The concern lies in their potential to disrupt the endocrine system, which regulates hormones. Animal studies at high doses suggest possible effects, but human studies show no impact on fertility, hormones, weight, or fetal development. The TGA is playing it safe, recommending reduced concentrations to stay well below any risk threshold.
There’s also buzz about benzophenone, a byproduct of octocrylene degradation, which may cause cancer in animals at extremely high doses. In sunscreens, benzophenone levels are minimal, and the TGA proposes capping it at 0.0383% to ensure safety, especially since heat (above 40°C) speeds up degradation. Store your sunscreen below 30°C, as advised by the Cancer Council, to keep it effective.
What’s Next?
The TGA suggests lowering homosalate and oxybenzone limits, with specifics depending on whether the product is for adults, kids, face, or full-body use. Some sunscreens may need reformulation or warning labels, with details to be finalized after public consultation (submissions close August 12). Manufacturers will likely adapt quickly to meet these standards.
Should You Ditch Sunscreen?
Absolutely not. Australia leads the world in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, with 95% of melanoma cases tied to UV exposure. The risk of skin cancer far outweighs the minimal, theoretical risks from these chemicals. The TGA’s recommendations are ultra-cautious, based on worst-case scenarios, and even at current levels, no harm has been seen in humans.
Stay Protected
Want to avoid homosalate or oxybenzone? Check product labels for sunscreens with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or other chemical filters like avobenzone, which passed the safety review. Stick to reputable brands, apply generously, and reapply every two hours when outdoors. Your skin—and health—will thank you.
Also Read: "Monsoon Skin Disasters? Unlock Glowing Skin with These Must-Try Natural Remedies!"