How Safe is Your Sunscreen?

Malaysia is a South East Asian country with the sun dominating the sky most of the time thus instead of enjoying the sunshine only during the summer, Malaysians are blessed with the natural occurring rays of light throughout the whole year. And it is considered as a blessing because sunshine provides Vitamin D which is necessary for a healthy immune function besides enhancing the absorption of key nutrients in human body. 

                 


However, with the pros comes the cons. Although there is a presence of the so called “sunshine vitamin”, the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun could cause harmful effects mostly to human skins such as sunburn, aging and skin cancer. And due to this negative side effects, sunscreen was invented back in 1936.

Sunscreen or which is also known as sunblock could absorb and reflect some of the sun's UV radiation on the skin thus protecting it from the harmful consequences. Continuous use of sunscreen could also help prevent development of wrinkles and sagging skin. 

In Malaysia, sunscreen is one of the most popular skincare product especially among the students who need to endure weekly assemblies with the sun right on their head. Not to mention, the school leavers who had been selected for the National Services program where marching at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. is made compulsory.

National Service picture copyrighted by kemplknbaling.blogspot.com

Nevertheless, there is a controversial debate about how some organic chemical compounds in sunscreen actually bring more harm than good. 

1. Oxybenzone. 

 Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is an organic compound belonging to the class of aromatic ketones. It is one of the most widely used organic UV filters in sunscreens today due to its photo-protective qualities. However, research suggests a link between higher concentrations of oxybenzone in the body and increased risk of endometriosis disease, which main symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility. Besides, Environmental Working Group (EWG) had encouraged consumers to avoid this chemical because it could cause skin allergy. 

2.Octinoxate

Octinoxate

Octyl methoxycinnamate or octinoxate is a type of ester formed from methoxycinnamic acid and (RS)-2-ethylhexanol that is insoluble in water. European Commission on Endocrine Disruption found that octinoxate could disrupt human endocrine system. It produces excess reactive oxygen species that could cause mutations and cell death. Not to mention, its bio-accumulative property that might cause it to accumulate in human body and causing toxicity.

3. Homosalate

Homosalate 

Third is the homosalate, an ester formed from salicylic acid and 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanol, a type of cyclohexanol. Research found that homosalate could be break into harmful byproducts once exposed to sunlight. It could also disrupt hormones such as estrogen, androgen and progesterone. And, that is why Environment Canada Domestic Substance List Body declared homosalate as "expected to be toxic" substance. Besides, Japan's Standards for Cosmetics Body had also restricted the use of homosalate in their cosmetics products.

4. Octocrylene

Octocrylene 

       Lastly, is the octocrylene. It is an ester formed by the condensation of a diphenylcyanoacrylate with 2-ethylhexanol. Octocrylene had raise a concern about how it could cause a biochemical change in human body. It can penetrate into the skin, resulting in the increased production of free radicals that can damage the DNA throughout the body. And, it is very dangerous because DNA alterations could trigger cancer.

       As to conclude all this findings about harmful organic chemicals in sunscreen, it could be said that more research should be done in order for truth to be revealed. And it is necessary that we could invent a natural organic sunscreen like how the ancient Greeks use olive oil to protect their skin from sunlight. We should also use mineral sunscreens instead of the chemical ones. 

REFERENCES

1. Oxybenzone | C14H12O3 | ChemSpider . 2015. Oxybenzone | C14H12O3 | ChemSpider . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.4471.html. [Accessed 14 March 2015].
2. OCTINOXATE || Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database | Environmental Working Group. 2015. OCTINOXATE || Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database | Environmental Working Group. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/704203/OCTINOXATE/. [Accessed 14 March 2015].
3. Homosalate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2015. Homosalate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosalate. [Accessed 14 March 2015].
4. OCTOCRYLENE || Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database | Environmental Working Group. 2015. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/704206/OCTOCRYLENE/. [Accessed 14 March 2015].
5. Potential health risks of sunscreen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_health_risks_of_sunscreen. [Accessed 14 March 2015].