First things first- What is a UV filter?
To protect the skin from the sun, so-called UV filters are used in sun protection products. These can either reflect or absorb the sun's rays to reduce the skin cells' contact with the sun.
Endocrine Disrupting Properties vs Allergy Risk
Endocrine Disrupting Properties
The older varieties of organic/chemical UV filters have been linked with so-called endocrine-disrupting properties. Several studies have shown that UV filters with small molecular size such as Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone), Homosalate, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate can penetrate the skin and affect the body systemically. These substances have been found in body fluids such as breast milk and urine and have been linked in studies to endocrine disruption.
Risk of Allergy through Photoinstability
In addition to the suspected endocrine-disrupting risks, some UV filters carry the risk of allergic reactions, especially when they are photo-unstable meaning that they can paradoxically be broken down by the sun's rays. The European Commission's Scientific Committee for Consumer Products (SCCP) has, for example, particularly emphasized that Benzophenone-3, which is also called Oxybenzone on the inci list, can cause contact allergy and photoallergic reactions. Due to these risks, in 2017 the EU reduced the permitted amount of Benzophenone-3 in sunscreens from 10% to 6%.
Regulations and Recommendations
Adjustments in the EU: These risks have led to adjustments in the regulatory framework, where certain substances such as 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor are about to be banned in the EU for use in sunscreens.
International Perspectives
The situation in the USA: In comparison, the USA still uses many of the UV filters that are restricted in the EU, which underlines the importance as a consumer to be aware of the products you choose, especially when buying sunscreen products from American companies.
Our recommendation
We recommend the use of the mineral filters Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, as well as modern organic UV filters with a larger molecular size that are both photostable and free of hormone-disrupting properties, such as Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyltriazine and Ethylhexyl Triazone.
Our full list of filters we recommend, as well as filters to avoid, can be seen here : Substances to watch out for in sunscreen products
Skinome's products
Our products do not compromise your health or the environment. By avoiding hormone-disrupting and photo-unstable substances, we develop sunscreen products that are safe and effective for all skin types, even the most sensitive skin.
