←back to thread

Over 80% of sunscreen performed below their labelled efficacy (2020)

(www.consumer.org.hk)
230 points mgh2 | 2 comments | 06 Sep 25 19:57 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
Show context
matsemann ◴[06 Sep 25 21:44 UTC] No.45153154[source]▶
Lots of sunscreen brands should be avoided as they don't meet the advertised SPF.

Lots of sunscreen brands should also be avoided as they contain allergy inducing-, hormone altering- or environment damaging- ingredients.

Not easy making a good choice.

replies(3): >>45153231 #>>45153390 #>>45156991 #
bboygravity ◴[06 Sep 25 22:16 UTC] No.45153390[source]▶
Got recommendations? Here in Europe the formulations seem to be almost all the same (which I'm assuming means that they're all very bad for you).

Very hard to find any mineral sunscreens here. Decathlon has one in the most terrible packaging: a roller which means it's close to impossible to get the stuff out.

replies(2): >>45153465 #>>45153531 #
flexagoon ◴[06 Sep 25 22:26 UTC] No.45153465[source]▶
There's no reason to avoid chemical sunscreens unless you have an individual allergy to some of the components. The concerns about them being "carcinogenic" or "disrupting hormones" or "killing the environment" is fearmongering and marketing bullshit pushed by "clean beauty" companies.

This is a good summary of the topic:

https://labmuffin.com/sunscreen-myth-directory/

https://labmuffin.com/factcheck-low-tox-sunscreen-swaps/

replies(2): >>45153984 #>>45156542 #
reducesuffering ◴[06 Sep 25 23:58 UTC] No.45153984[source]▶
The FDA listed 12 typical sunscreen ingredients, such as avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone, as not currently having sufficient data to be recognized as safe and effective. They're absorbed into the bloodstream and studies have found them to persist for weeks

Based on current data, the FDA categorized only two sunscreen ingredients as safe and effective, the mineral-based ones: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which don't permeate the skin much.

replies(2): >>45154613 #>>45156762 #
1. thyristan ◴[07 Sep 25 09:39 UTC] No.45156762{4}[source]▶
The safety of titanium dioxide is somwhat in doubt and it is suspected to be carcinogenic (in Europe at least): https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/service/frequently-asked-question...
replies(1): >>45162561 #
2. reducesuffering ◴[07 Sep 25 21:58 UTC] No.45162561[source]▶
That's about oral ingestion as a food additive. I would also not recommend eating chemical-based sunscreen lotions...

From your link: "There are currently no indications that the use of titanium dioxide in cosmetic products is harmful to the health of consumers if the legal requirements are complied with. Titanium dioxide is not absorbed dermally, i.e. through the skin, and consequently not by application of skin care products containing titanium dioxide. In several opinions on titanium dioxide nanoparticles in sunscreens the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has considered absorption via the skin of no concern according to the current state of knowledge when applied to both intact and sunburn-damaged skin."