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Oxybenzone is one of the great dangers of sunscreen for health and the environment

Edited and resized image by Sean O., is available on Unsplash

You may have read or heard about the importance of using sunscreen. There are people who interpret the tips of dermatologists metaphorically, but for those who understand them literally, it's good to rethink the recommendations of always using sunscreen - or rather: be aware of which sunscreen you use. Yes, you need to protect yourself from the strong sun, but it is important to see which substances are present in the product you use, as some of them, such as oxybenzone, can be bad for your health and the environment.

Oxybenzone is an organic compound and an agent that protects the skin from the incidence of certain waves of sunlight. The problem with oxybenzone is related to its ability to penetrate the deep layers of the skin, so that a significant amount of the substance ends up remaining in the body. Oxybenzone has been linked to hormonal problems and cell damage, which can lead to anything from premature aging to cancer.

Where can it be found and how to identify

The organic compound can be found in most commercially sold sunscreens with a protection factor greater than 30 and in sunscreens from 15 to 30, in moisturizers with a protection factor, nail polish, men's and women's perfumes, lip sunscreens, bases, hairspray, conditioner and also in some shampoos, anti-wrinkle creams, BB creams, aftershave lotion and also sunscreen for children.

On packaging, oxybenzone can be identified as: Oxybenzone, B3, Benzophenone-3, (2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl) Phenyl-Methanone, (2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxyphenyl) Phenylmethanone; 2-Benzoyl-5-Methoxyphenol; 2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxybenzophenone; 4-Methoxy-2-Hydroxybenzophenone, Advastab 45; Al3-23644; Anuvex; 2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxy.

How oxybenzone works

The compound absorbs type A (UV-A) and type B (UV-B) ultraviolet rays, which make up 95% of UV radiation. This type of radiation penetrates into the deep layers of the skin, being responsible for premature skin aging, rapid tanning and, in some cases of unprotected skin, it causes skin cancer through DNA alterations. Thus, to protect against UVA, oxybenzone also penetrates into the deep layers of the skin.

Health and environmental effects

The health damage caused by oxybenzone is diverse: allergic skin reactions with sunscreen, triggered by exposure to the sun, cell mutation, dysregulation of hormonal processes and release of free radicals.

In a study to verify how much oxybenzone would be excreted by people who participated in an experiment, it was possible to verify that, for a whole-body application of sunscreen containing 4% oxybenzone, only 0.4% (11 mg) was excreted within two days of application. In other words, 2.75 grams of oxybenzone were applied through the sunscreen to each person's body and, due to the low excretion, approximately 2.74 grams of oxybenzone remained in the body.

The conclusion is simple: everything we apply to our skin does enter our body. In this way, the compost can either leave or remain accumulated. The problem is that when it remains in our body, oxybenzone enables the development of diseases.

Due to the large amount of oxybenzone that is absorbed through the skin, the use of sunscreens with this substance should be avoided by children.

Environmental impact

When we apply sunscreen and go to sea, we are releasing the chemical compounds in the product into the ocean. Studies have shown that millions of tons of sunscreen are released into the sea every year. Compounds like oxybenzone are negatively impacting corals, algae and even microorganisms. Nanoparticles in sunscreens reduce the activity of bacteria essential for decomposition and water renewal. Other inorganic nutrients are also released through the sunscreen with phosphorus and nitrogen, promoting the uncontrolled growth of algae, which can reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the ocean, causing a chain reaction that always reaches humans in some way - in this case, with the reduction of available marine fish.

National and international regulation

The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) allows the presence of oxybenzone in personal care products, cosmetics and perfumes. The maximum permitted concentration is 10%, and for concentrations above 0.5%, the warning must appear on the label: contains oxybenzone.

The Scientific Committee for Consumer Products (SCCP) of the European Commission, based on studies, points out that the maximum concentration of oxybenzone in sunscreens with ultraviolet protection should be 6%. In other cosmetic products with a protection factor in their formulation, the maximum concentration should be 0.5%.

Alternatives

For those who do not want to be exposed to oxybenzone, opt for sunscreens and other cosmetics that protect you from ultraviolet rays using vegetable oils, such as Camellia sinensis (green tea), from Arabica coffee and C. canephora (coffee), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary), aloe vera (aloe), tricolor viola (perfect love), Recutite Matricaria (chamomile), Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut), Nucifera coconuts (coconut) and from Sesamum indicum (Sesame).

However, vegetable oils still have a protection factor below the minimum considered, which is SPF 15. In this sense, products that use vegetable oils as sunscreen also use other protection enhancers to reach the minimum factor, which can be natural chemicals or synthetics. Therefore, it is always good to look at product labels to see if they contain harmful compounds, such as oxybenzone.