It is therefore not surprising that cosmetic companies directly affected by the proposed ban lodged their opposition. If oxybenzone in such small quantities can kill off our coral reefs, then what could it be doing to our own health? They argue that there is still not enough conclusive scientific evidence that sunscreen ingredients negatively impact coral reefs at levels detected in tourist areas. “Studies show that sunscreen with SPF 15 can block about 93% of all incoming UVB rays. These images from a 2008 study show the impact of sunscreen on Acropora coral. As of now, there are only two sunscreen ingredients that are considered “safe” by the FDA and EWG: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Dr. Zeichner adds that if you are concerned about using sunscreens that contain oxybenzone or other questionable chemicals, he recommends using mineral sunscreens with ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—they’re considered safe, work just as well, and are not known to harm oceans. That’s why Hawaii’s governor signed a bill into law last July that banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone (as well as another chemical called octinoxate). Oxybenzone, one of the most common ultraviolet-blocking chemicals in sunscreen, for example, can be detected in urine within 30 minutes of application. The research was not new. In particular, people have repeatedly freaked out about oxybenzone, a “widely-used” chemical found in two-thirds of the products analyzed for The Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) 2019 sunscreen guide. Oxybenzone absorbs UVB and UVA II rays, resulting in a photochemical excitation and absorption of energy. What’s more, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and slathering on the SPF is the best way to keep it out of your future. Still, researchers have been concerned about oxybenzone in particular because it is absorbed through the skin in large amounts. You can also protect yourself against the harmful effects of the sun, by wearing sun-protective clothing, always wearing a hat, and sitting under a good quality sun umbrella. However, “we don’t know yet if it’s clinically significant,” Alan says. Prevention participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. “UV light is the number one cause of skin cancer, which is largely preventable with sunscreen and sun protective behavior. Oxybenzone has been enemy No.1 in sunscreens for a while now. When used as a sunscreen active ingredient, oxybenzone protects the skin … Chemical sunscreens … 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. “First thing they give up are things like reproduction and growth, and then it will eventually die,” Richmond said. In the same media report, Dr. Ariel Ostad, a clinical assistant professor in the department of dermatology at New York University Medical Center who was not affiliated with the Environmental Working Group, was quoted as saying “Evidence has shown the best sunscreens are the ones that block UVB and UVA. The majority of these companies that market sunscreen products try to make people more aware of the SPF. It is an absolute delight when a writer focuses the full power of investigative journalism skills, and provides a good historical context. Already back in 2007 a study conducted by researchers at the University of Plymouth and published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that certain sunscreen products cause rapid and complete bleaching of hard corals even at very low concentrations. * An active chemical sunscreen ingredient * Also known as Benzophenone-3 Functions: Oxybenzone primarily functions as a photostabilizer and sunscreen. This suggests that our sunscreen kills coral reefs without a human ever setting foot – or flipper – near them. It contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans according to … This chemical absorbs through the skin in significant amounts. The Environmental Working Group and other toxicology experts believe that oxybenzone is linked to hormone disruption and potentially to cell damage that may lead to skin cancer.”, However,  the American Academy of Dermatology advised that oxybenzone is safe. As oxybenzone is most well-known for its UV absorption, it should come as no surprise that the chemical is most often found in sunscreen. Oxybenzone in a commercial sunscreen formulation can transfer from the lotion or spray into the body, and be detected in urine within 30 minutes to several hours of application 12,13. Oxybenzone has also been found to mimic oestrogen in cellular studies, while butylparaben, which is present in a host of cosmetics, in addition to sunscreen, has been linked to endocrine disruption. Of all of the sunscreen ingredients, oxybenzone is known to be the most common cause of contact allergies; a 10-year study found that 70% of people had a positive patch test when exposed. You're not the only one. told Maui News. It’s not new and yet the debate and the damage still continue. And it’s not just limited to bathing. Learn more about oxybenzone and sunscreen with SunSense today. Here, experts explain its potential health impacts—and whether you should ditch the ingredient for good. Good article! Since the report in 2012, the FDA’s position remains unchanged. It’s one of several chemical sunscreen ingredients that could do you much more harm than good. When you flush the toilet or wash off sunscreen … While the ban appears only to be led by Hawaii activists at this stage, it has implications across the globe. While your chosen sunscreen brand probably does a fairly good job at protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, it may well be toxic to the environment. Daily Mineral Sunscreen. Got Zoom Fatigue? We’re trying to fill the gap where the FDA has failed,” she told CNN at the time. IV Supplement Drips: Is it just a wellness fad, or the real deal? This can cause everything from development delays to poor reproductive health. Keep in mind, SPF protects only against UVB rays.”. The Environmental Working Group reported at the time that “56% of beach and sports sunscreens contain the chemical oxybenzone. Mexoryl SX. His research showed that even a trace amount of oxybenzone is toxic to coral. You can take these steps to protect yourself and your family: Avoid products containing oxybenzone, benzophenone-3, and retinyl palmitate if you’re concerned about potentially toxic... Use … If you’ve been keeping up … It is our collective responsibility to hold legislators and manufacturers to account. A study in the International Journal of Andrology detected oxybenzone in 96 percent of the American urine samples it tested, and chemical UV-filters were detected in 85 percent of Swiss breast milk samples. Not all sunscreens contain oxybenzone. Use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 and a maximum of SPF 50; Make sure labels list UVA and UVB (or broad spectrum protection); Choose cream preparation rather than spray sunscreen. Indeed, key public officials in Hawaii have spent the better part of 2017 debating and lobbying for a ban on certain sunscreen brands. Gisèle is the owner of the Longevity brand and a self-proclaimed health hedonist. Oxybenzone is a “potential hormone disruptor,” Alan says. Creams and lotions are more evenly distributed on the skin and therefore offer better protection. None of these studies are definitive, and the authors themselves call for more research. Oxybenzone body … In the second half of 2017 Hawaiian state senator Will Espero and his supporters rallied to introduce a ban on products with oxybenzone. Found in chemical sunscreens. What Is Oxybenzone and Why Is it in Sunscreen? Oxybenzone isn’t the only popular chemical sunscreen ingredient that’s considered questionable. As you have expertise in this area, your feedback is valued. Incidentally in May 2017, the same council passed a ban on the use of polystyrene containers popular with plate lunch places, effective from December 31, 2018. The sun breaks down the ingredients in sunscreen that protect your skin. “I would feel more comfortable if we take the time to really present the evidence, build the right foundation and move forward with it just like we did with the Polystyrene bill.”. Other than that, “it’s likely okay for occasional use in most adults,” she says. On top of that, oxybenzone has been ending up in our oceans—harming and killing corals in the process. Espero cited research published in the public domain to date, as well as a more recent paper published in 2015, in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology led by Craig Downs, executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Clifford, Virginia. Clic, Cycling offers a wide range of mental and physical, Hair Loss? Experts break down what you need to know. Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) is an emerging human and environmental contaminant used in sunscreens and personal care products to help minimize the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. Health Effects Of Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. According to various published media sources and respected scientific journals, even in tiny quantities, the ingredient oxybenzone can poison the algae that symbiotically support coral reefs in oceans. With summer just around the corner, you’ll soon be applying sunscreen and avoiding the sun's harmful UV rays. The problem? Many sunscreen ingredients are readily absorbed through the skin. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Longevity is owned by World of Longevity LLC, USA. Of the 12 ingredients the FDA is investigating, the one most often flagged as potentially worrisome is oxybenzone. Avobenzone is often used in replace of Oxybenzone, but is still a benzophenone and holds with it similar risks associated with Oxybenzone. The legal issues surrounding the proposed ban appear to be more complex. A 2013 economic review by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that Hawaii’s coral reefs earned the state more than $356 million annually in tourist revenue alone. Thank you! The FDA recently issued a proposed rule to update regulations for most sunscreen products in the U.S. The FDA says it is safe. In order to protect your skin from the sun’s powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays, you know that applying and reapplying sunscreen is the best way to prevent serious health issues like skin cancer. But beyond its potential side effects in humans, oxybenzone has a negative impact on our ocean life. SPF 50 blocks 98%. To ensure that we all contribute to protecting the environment, our long-term health, and that of our children and their children’s children. This process provides 90% of the coral’s food. The maximum plasma concentration of three tested ingredients (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene) also exceeded the threshold for seven days (three days after applying the sunscreen … Both oxybenzone … I will keep tracking this story and hope in time I can get more input from you. Did you catch the @goldenglobes this past weekend? According to the Maui News report, multiple council members said they thought the scientific evidence was strong, but they wanted to make the bill as legally sound as possible. “I’m in support of this bill. “At this point, if that’s what makes everybody feel comfortable with (the bill), then I’m for a little bit of postponement,” council member Elle Cochran told the Maui News, “But my office is going to work very hard to make sure we expedite it.”. For more information on your medical condition and treatment options, speak to your healthcare professional. Childhood obesity rates have risen all over the wo, Chronic pain is a big problem, but some foods coul, Our habits can play a large role in affecting the, Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but it appears that, The key to overcoming burnout is prevention. Oxybenzone is used in plastics as an ultraviolet light absorber and stabilizer. A number of studies have demonstraated that oxybenzone and octinoxate can increase the levels of oestrogen in mice and rats .However, any hormonal effects in humans seem to be within the first few hours of application and disappear thereafter, even with prolonged daily use [3].. A very common ingredient in FDA approved chemical-based sunscreens. © 2021 Longevity LIVE. Some would argue that chemicals like oxybenzone appear to be a more alarming and direct danger to coral. Thank you for taking time to read this article and for sharing it Lois. A product with SPF 100+ blocks about 99.1 percent of the UVB rays,” Ostad said. Oxybenzone is a sunscreen ingredient associated with photoallergic reactions. The brown ones are untreated—healthy coral—while the white ones have been bleached by sunscreen. 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. What's the best way to boost your immune system? Children may be more vulnerable to harm from oxybenzone than adults because of the potential for higher absorption. “It is very misleading to put high SPF numbers on labels because it gives consumers a false sense of security and doesn’t offer a lot more protection,” Leiba added. To make the watchdog group’s safe list, sunscreens must be free of oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate (a type of vitamin A), not have SPF above 50, and protect against UVA and UVB sun rays. He argues the algae provide the coral with much-needed oxygen and help cart away the coral’s waste. FDA scientists authored a paper focusing on four ingredients found in sunscreen into the skin, including oxybenzone, and concluded that absorption of sunscreen into the body may be more … Along with sunscreen, oxybenzone can be found … The EWG has been wary of oxybenzone for years: Way back in 2008, the organization asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the safety of oxybenzone use in sunscreen due to growing evidence that it could potentially disrupt the human hormone system. You can take these steps to protect yourself and your family: Of course, you can help lobby for change through your local authorities and share articles and information with family and friends on this issue. These invertebrate animals in turn support the algae gardens that photosynthesize food from sunlight. After all, coral reefs contribute to air and soil quality, provide spawning grounds for many fish species, and protect coastlines from the worst effects of tropical storms. The EWG and FDA also flagged test results that show the following: The FDA is currently requesting studies of oxybenzone that measure skin absorption as well as potential impacts on hormone levels, reproduction, and development. Which Lifestyle Changes Are Best To Improve Longevity? The EWG also flagged the following: All of these ingredients are in a “gray zone” for safety, along with oxybenzone, Alan says. Betty White is 99: Her 8 Tips For A Long and Healthy Life, 4 Most Effective Ways Of Using Your Cross Trainer. Baby Sunscreen. Oxybenzone absorbs light in the UV-B (280–315 nm) and short-wavelength UV-A (315–355 nm) ranges. The primary function of oxybenzone is to absorb ultraviolet light, but some research shows oxybenzone can be absorbed through the skin. What is indisputable is that reefs are critical to ocean life. Active ingredients in sunscreens come in two forms, mineral and chemical filters. Known as physical or mineral filters, these ingredients work by creating a barrier and reflecting UV rays, rather than absorbing them. Oxybenzone is a benzophenone derivative used as a sunscreen agent. 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 Environmental Working Group said consumers should not purchase a sunscreen with SPF greater than 50. These are the kinds of levels where things began to have action,” Richmond said. SPF (sun protection factor) works by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun’s rays on the skin. Gisèle is passionate about health and sharing information. However, in February 2018 council members voted to postpone a decision on the bill. It’s important to ensure you apply a good cover over your skin and that you reapply sunscreen often. It has been detected in human breast milk, amniotic fluid, urine, and blood. Coral reefs are some of the world’s most productive ecosystems. However, you definitely want to avoid using sunscreens with oxybenzone in infants and very young children, Alan says. Oxybenzone works as a sunscreen by absorbing UV radiation, Alan says. Unfortunately, the ingredient oxybenzone "is extremely common in chemical sunscreens," David Andrews, PhD, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), tells Health. Oxybenzone is one of the common active ingredients in sunscreens that are sold in the US. Biologist Dr. Robert Richmond also told CBS News “You’re talking about a shot glass in a swimming pool. The study documented that sunscreen killed coral by triggering an ordinarily dormant virus in their symbiotic algae. Concerns about oxybenzone were raised by scientists over a decade ago when the first research paper was published. Upon return to ground … He also informs that oxybenzone is more toxic to plants when those plants are exposed to sunlight. FDA has approved the use of oxybenzone as an active ingredient in sunscreens as safe and effective in concentrations of up to 6%. Are Meal Delivery Plans Worth Paying For When You’re on a Diet? Hawaii’s law banning the sale of over-the-counter sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate in order to protect Hawaii’s marine environment goes into effect on Friday, … Up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen wind up in coral reef areas of the ocean every year, and scientists say that contributes to the ecosystem’s damage.”. Thank you for your comments. The protective factors plateau from there. “It’s also found in plastics, toys, and some flowing plants,” she adds. “Oxybenzone is one of the few FDA-approved ingredients that provides effective broad-spectrum protection from UV radiation, and has been approved for use since 1978,” said Dr. Daniel M. Siegel, president of the academy. The content in this editorial is for general information only and is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. Dec. 31, 2020. The American Academy of Dermatology continues to recommend sunscreens with oxybenzone. And thank you for raising the issue of “sunscreen abuse.”. oxybenzone has been ending up in our oceans, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 10 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens to Protect Your Skin. Chemicals in some sunscreens that can harm marine life include: Oxybenzone, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, nano-Titanium … When the algae die off, the corals turn white (referred to as bleaching). In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved both oxybenzone for use in sunscreens. Goddess Garden – Daily Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin. The brand in question contains a UV filtering ingredient called oxybenzone. And while it is agreed there are multiple factors at play contributing to decimation,  reefs around the world need to be protected. On November 13th in 2017, the bill passed out of the Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee. It is used, along with other benzophenones, in sunscreens, hair sprays, and cosmetics because they help prevent potential … Hawaii is the first state in the US to ban the sale of sunscreen containing the coral-harming chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, ushering in a new era of reef safe sunscreen.The new law goes into effect … Sugar And Sore Throats: What is the Link? Mexoryl SX is a UV filter used in sunscreens and lotions … Octinoxate, or octyl methoxycinnamate (Figure 2), is a more recent sunscreen component. Had the ban been successful in 2017, it could have far-reaching consequences for the long-term sales of many sunscreens. I appreciate you took the time to read my article and to comment. One can’t escape the perversity in this issue: That the very reason we wear sunscreen makes our sunscreen uniquely toxic to coral reefs and perhaps even the sustainability of ocean life. This study evaluated absorption of the active ingredients avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate. Why trust us? When she is not working, you'll find in her in a yoga class or active in the great outdoors. “You don’t really need a high number. 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. Recent headlines surrounding sunscreen have suggested that your go-to SPF may be linked to its own set of health problems. They form nurseries for roughly a quarter of the world’s fisheries, and more than a billion people depend on reefs for their livelihoods. Coral is under threat from a number of environmental factors such as acidification and warming of the oceans. They end up being expensive and don’t offer more protection than SPF 50. Concerns About Oxybenzone. SPF 30 blocks 97%. This was affirmed in a 2008 study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspective and conducted by researchers from the Polytechnic University of the Marche in Ancona, Italy. Click. A CNN broadcast back in 2012 already alluded to the dangers of oxybenzone and its use on the skin reporting;  “Twenty-five percent of 800 tested screens are effective at protecting your skin without the use of potentially harmful ingredients,” according to the 2012 Sunscreen Guide released then by the Environmental Working Group. According to a report in the Maui News, two experts on coral reefs and toxicology also confirmed the chemicals could lower reef tolerance to bleaching and interrupt the development of marine life. 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