Recent conversations between experts, including Dr. Riviere, have raised critical concerns about the safety of certain sunscreen ingredients, especially oxybenzone and homosalate. For more than 30 years, those compounds have been common ingredients in sunscreens designed to protect against sunburn. They have recently attracted criticism for causing harmful interruptions to hormonal balance. Now, these same researchers are cautioning that the frequent application of sunscreen is still key in skin cancer prevention. They put a spotlight on the need to scrutinize what’s in these products.
We’re told by Professor Jane Hanrahan, one of the country’s top dermatologists, that there are three important protective benefits of sunscreen. “There’s been no clear signal that there’s any serious effects in humans,” she states, underscoring the importance of sun protection. Recent studies have shown that oxybenzone and homosalate can interfere with hormones at doses much lower than we previously considered safe. This unexpected finding has led to an outcry for more research.
Concerns About Oxybenzone and Homosalate
Oxybenzone & homosalate– chemical sunscreens Traditionally, these two sunscreens have been praised for their high effectiveness at absorbing UV radiation. Both ingredients can permeate through skin and into human cells, increasing worry over any potential hormonal interactions they may have. A 2022 scientific review found that exposure to these unnatural compounds can cause endocrine disruption, as they can mimic natural estrogen.
Professor Frederic Leusch adds that the evidence around oxybenzone and homosalate is concerning. “It meant that we were getting a dose that was starting to raise some flags,” he says. This surprising result nevertheless led to calls for tougher safety assessments in general. It’s important because these chemicals were never adequately tested to begin with.
Yet based on these findings, the TGA continues to review the safety of these substances. According to Nial Wheate, a TGA representative, such reviews are routine. For example, the TGA employs a 1 percent safety margin from the smallest effective dosage. This method guarantees that all doses remain within safe parameters.
Diverging Perspectives on Safety
So while the scientific community is not yet in consensus on how much, if at all, oxybenzone and homosalate are risky, it’s worth acknowledging their potential dangers. While Professor Hanrahan asserts there is no substantial evidence linking these ingredients to serious health issues, Professor Leusch urges caution. He readily admits that we should be concerned about the dangers of endocrine disruptors but argues that when it comes to sunscreen, the benefits outweigh the risks.
“The drawbacks of not wearing sunscreen are just so grossly clear and harmful,” Professor Leusch said. It’s important to use any sunscreen at all, he says, rather than none. This further underscores the need to prioritize sun safety, while prioritizing transparency of ingredients.
Hanrahan argues that consumers worried about endocrine safety could simply choose alternatives. “If people were really worried [about endocrine safety], my advice would be to use a non-nano mineral sunscreen,” she advises. This recommendation is in step with an increasing number of consumers who are looking for safer sunscreen alternatives.
The Importance of Continued Research
The growing discussion around oxybenzone and homosalate demonstrates that reality. Develop more research to ensure the long-term safety of chemical sunscreens is properly considered. Authors and experts from across the scientific community argue that historical data unequivocally demonstrates the safety of these compounds in humans. Recent research has merit enough to warrant a reexamination.
As Professor Wheate, an associate professor of toxicology at the University of Albany, explains, many toxicology conversations boil down to dosage. “The key aspect to any discussion around toxicology and endocrine disruption is: the dose makes the poison,” he explains. This last principle states that determining how much people are exposed is key to figuring out how dangerous something is.
As debates continue, the TGA remains vigilant in monitoring best practices and advising both manufacturers and consumers on sunscreen safety. Professor Leusch highlights the agency’s commitment: “The TGA maintains a constant watch on best practice and best advice so that they can inform manufacturers and the public.”
