Sunscreen’s active components filter UV rays before they reach your skin. UV rays emitted by tanning beds and the sun can lead to skin cancer and premature ageing. Sunscreen can be applied directly to your skin through gels, lotions, powders, and sprays. Individuals who often apply sunscreen have:
Reduced risk of skin cancer
The most prevalent type of cancer among Americans is skin cancer. Using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily can lower your risk of developing skin cancer. Melanoma, the worst type of skin cancer, can be prevented by 50%. Additionally, there is a 40% reduction in the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, the most frequent type of skin cancer. Know more about sunscreen stick.
How does a sunscreen function?
Sunscreens are governed by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations to guarantee their efficacy and safety.
Look at the active ingredients on the label to determine if your sunscreen has chemical or physical filters. The following are examples of physical sunscreen components, often known as mineral sunscreens:
- dioxide of titanium.
- oxide of zinc.
If your sunscreen has chemical filters, some examples of its active substances are:
- Avobenzone
- homosalate
- Octocrylene
- Octinoxate
- Octisalate
- Oxybenzone
Physical components in sunscreens scatter UV rays before they reach your skin, acting as a reflecting barrier. Chemical sunscreens cause a chemical reaction that helps reduce UV damage when they are partially absorbed into the skin.
Over ten different kinds of chemical sunscreen components are currently available on the market. Although the FDA had previously cleared these substances, a recent announcement has called for additional study to ascertain their true safety.
Salazilate of trolamine:
The FDA has questioned the bulk of chemical sunscreen components over their safety and efficacy. It suggested that additional study be conducted on the following chemical components included in sunscreens:
The potential for ingredient contamination is another worry. According to a new product assessment, many aerosol sunscreens and other personal care products include benzene, a highly explosive chemical that can have significant health effects with prolonged contact. Due to elevated benzene levels found, Johnson & Johnson recalled five different varieties of Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens just last year. The recall discovered a contamination that led to benzene formation, even though the chemical was not mentioned on the items.
Due to this discovery, the FDA has mandated that manufacturers and other businesses test their aerosol goods to ensure that benzene and its production are absent. As a result, 25 million items from over a dozen different brands have been recalled.
