Sunscreens Can Also Affect Your Hormone Health Here's What You Should Know Before Applying (Credits: Pexels)
One thing that is non-negotiable during the summer season is a sunscreen. It is the only thing that offers maximum protection from the harmful UVA and UVB rays and also keeps your skin from ageing. But what if we told you the thing that you think is saving you might actually be causing you more harm than good. There have always been people who have been skeptical about using sunscreen because of the ingredients going in there and their long term impacts on human health. And these people may really be onto something
Recent studies, researches and international safety reviews have highlighted concerns over various some chemical ingredients used in sunscreens and more so about their ability to be absorbed into the bloodstream and ultimately work as hormone disrupters.
What is a hormone disruptor?
It is a chemical that has the ability to cross cell membranes and mess with the body's natural hormone production.
But dermatologists have also said that just because some sunscreens may be formulated with such materials, it doesn't mean all sunscreens are bad and shouldn't be used or avoided altogether. Rather, this acts like a reminder that one should be informed about what choices they are making and what to apply on the skin everyday.
What are the ingredients that don't sit right?
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate are two UV filters that are most commonly used in sunscreens for their ability to absorb harmful rays from the sun. On the other side, both of these ingredients have been found in urine, breast milk, blood, and even amniotic fluid and this has raised concerns about their possible impact on foetal development and hormonal balance.
These ingredients are however not banned in India and are also approved for use in many countries (including India). Doctors have also mentioned that more research would be required in order to take any major step in this direction.
Some studies have also mentioned that there are possible links between sunscreen use and thyroid changes, kidney function, pubertal development, and even immune health. However, these findings remain inconclusive.
Dr. Sarita Sanke, dermatologist at Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, mentions that, "the US FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) has highlighted the importance of further evaluating all sunscreen ingredients with systemic absorption levels over 0.5 ng/mL.
