Sunscreen Containing Octocrylen: Potential Risks for User Health?

In the realm of sunscreen products, understanding the ingredients that protect our skin from harmful UV rays is crucial. Here's a breakdown of some common sunscreen components, their uses, and current status.

Firstly, Parsol 340, a chemical UV filter, is manufactured by BASF. This compound is widely used in sunscreens to shield against harmful UV rays.

Titanium Dioxide, another common UV filter, has been a topic of debate. While it's a popular additive in food, its use has been banned in the EU since 2022 due to concerns about its potential genotoxicity. However, when it comes to sunscreen sprays, the situation is different. The tiny particles of Titanium Dioxide can potentially enter the respiratory tract upon application, raising concerns. It's important to note that as a UVB filter, Titanium Dioxide is not entirely risk-free.

Contrary to Titanium Dioxide, most sunscreen products available in Germany contain minimal or no Benzophenone, a controversial UV filter.

Another compound, Octocrylen, has been under scrutiny. While there is no anticipated health risk to consumers from Octocrylen at present, its presence in sunscreens may be a concern for some. Packaging with Octocrylen, under various names like Eusolex OCR, Uvinul N-539, or Parsol 340, indicates the presence of this compound. However, the European Commission states that Octocrylene can be labelled under various names.

The good news is that the use of Octocrylen in sunscreen products available in Germany is now relatively rare, according to the BfR. For those wishing to avoid possible risks from Octocrylen, opting for sunscreens with mineral UV filters like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, which are stable over time and do not penetrate the skin barrier, even as nanoparticles, could be a viable alternative.

In the world of certified natural cosmetics, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide remain the preferred UV filters due to their stability and safety profile. As always, it's essential to make informed decisions about the products we use, and understanding the ingredients in our sunscreens is a crucial part of that process.