By Emily Trampetti, LE
Sunscreen safety has been such a hot topic in the last decade. And with new science (and also a lot of bad science!) swirling around us in headlines, it may seem overwhelming or anxiety-inducing to try and pick the right one – especially for your children!
There are also increasingly popular, fear-mongering opinions that chemical sunscreens are “harmful” or “unsafe.” But from a scientific perspective, it’s important to first understand that UV rays from the sun are the only proven carcinogens. That is far more than we can say or any sunscreen ingredient. And most of the diligent scientific community agrees that the best sunscreen you can apply or apply to your children is the one you have access to. And if you worry about the safety of a particular ingredient, rest assured that manufacturers are typically very risk averse when it comes to formulating products – meaning that often they include FAR less of an ingredient than would ever potentially have harmful effects. This idea, that the poison is in the dosage, is something a lot of people forget. Any chemical can be harmful in the wrong dosage, even water. And in cosmetics that are applied topically to the skin, we don’t run a huge risk with the safety buffers that many manufacturers put into place.
Now, since science is also always evolving, sometimes there are better options for peace of mind. If you are pregnant or have a small child, it is perfectly normal to think in terms of, “better safe than sorry.” If this is the case for you, I would recommend opting for sunscreens specifically formulated for children. But note that most of these formulas are not necessarily “safer,” but may simply pose less skin irritation risks. Chemical sunscreens are safe to use, but they can sometimes provoke allergic reactions or skin irritations in some people. This does not mean they are harmful. I think a lot of people associate those things together, but it’s the same thing to say that nuts are not harmful, yet they can cause allergies in many people.
Also, there is a potent rumor that says chemical sunscreens absorb and mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) reflect. While mineral sunscreens do some reflecting, they work more similarly to chemical sunscreens that many people understand. In addition, it’s very difficult to get higher SPFs with mineral sunscreen alone. Chemically speaking, the highest and most protective sunscreens usually are chemical sunscreens or “combination” sunscreens that have both mineral and chemical UV filters. In that light, a chemical sunscreen might be technically “safer” than a mineral sunscreen against harmful UV radiation. So you see there is not necessarily a black and white way of thinking about this.
As a licensed esthetician and skin expert, and as someone who stays very close to the evolving science, I would have no issue applying a high SPF chemical sunscreen lotion to my child. However, because my family has genetically very sensitive skin, I might opt for a more mineral, child-specific version to avoid irritation or potential sensitivity. The other thing I might note is that I would probably avoid aerosol or spray SPF as those risks I’m less confident about due to inhalation potential. Applying something to skin is much different than consuming, breathing in, or injecting something. That’s why for pregnant individuals or for children especially, I would say to go with a traditional lotion application. And remember to reapply every 90 minutes if you’re outside or more exposed to the sun.
Finally, don’t forget that sunscreen alone should never be relied upon as your sole sun protection mechanism. Layer sunscreen with UPF clothing, shade, sun glasses, hats and other forms of protection to stay safe and protected!
