![]() ![]() Oxybenzone isn’t the only popular chemical sunscreen ingredient that’s considered questionable. How does oxybenzone compare to other chemical ingredients in sunscreen? (These reef-safe sunscreens don’t contain chemicals that are known to harm corals.) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that oxybenzone and other chemicals filters in sunscreen can damage coral, cause reproductive issues in fish, damage sea urchins, and accumulate in the tissues of dolphins. The FDA is currently requesting studies of oxybenzone that measure skin absorption as well as potential impacts on hormone levels, reproduction, and development.īut beyond its potential side effects in humans, oxybenzone has a negative impact on our ocean life. ![]() Children may be more vulnerable to harm from oxybenzone than adults because of the potential for higher absorption.It has been detected in human breast milk, amniotic fluid, urine, and blood.Oxybenzone is allergenic and has relatively high rates of skin reactions.The EWG and FDA also flagged test results that show the following: ![]() Still, researchers have been concerned about oxybenzone in particular because it is absorbed through the skin in large amounts. One example: A rat study analyzed the effects of really high doses of oxybenzone-much higher doses than you would use when you apply sunscreen. Why? “We have some evidence that it disrupts hormones in animals, but the studies are not directly comparable to humans for a number of reasons,” she says. However, “we don’t know yet if it’s clinically significant,” Alan says. This means it may interfere with the endocrine system, which regulates biological processes like metabolism, growth and development, sexual function and reproduction, thyroid function, and more. Oxybenzone is a “potential hormone disruptor,” Alan says. Why is oxybenzone considered potentially dangerous? During this process, a chemical reaction occurs and the sun’s UV rays are converted into heat and released from the skin. Oxybenzone works as a sunscreen by absorbing UV radiation, Alan says. “It’s also found in plastics, toys, and some flowing plants,” she adds. Oxybenzone is an organic compound that is a benzophenone derivative, explains Jamie Alan, PhD, an assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. Here, experts explain its potential health impacts-and whether you should ditch the ingredient for good. Oxybenzone has been enemy No.1 in sunscreens for a while now. The goal is to bring over-the-counter sunscreens up to date with the latest scientific standards and to have people in the industry share safety data on 12 active sunscreen ingredients (including oxybenzone) to help understand whether and to what extend each ingredient is absorbed into the body after it’s applied. The FDA recently issued a proposed rule to update regulations for most sunscreen products in the U.S. ![]()
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