Sunscreens protect and damage your body... Here’s how chemicals like oxybenzone are turning sunscreens into one big oxymoron!
I don’t clearly remember since when I got habituated to using sunscreen, but I also can’t remember a time when I stepped out of home without applying a sunscreen lotion. I’m positive that there would be many like me who follow this routine. With the rate at which cosmetic brands, beauty experts and enthusiastic customers are increasing, it is no wonder that the present times is being referred to as the boom era of cosmetics. And amidst all these products that help one to glam-up from head to toe, one product which has won patronage from people around the world is the sunscreen. But beneath the heap of advantages offered by this product, is a word of caution recently planted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This watchdog organisation has brought to notice that some of the popular brands that make sunscreens contain hazardous chemicals, and at times do not provide the level of sun protection that they claim.
Oxybenzone is a commonly known culprit, and its traces have been found in the urine samples of 97% of Americans over the age of six by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The chemicals in sunscreens penetrate the skin and make their way into a person’s bloodstream. Oxybenzone particularly has been found to cause allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage. Lax safety standards implemented by the FDA to determine UVA protection have triggered the EWG to tag the products as unsafe to use. Defying this research, Dr. Kandhari, a dermatologist, explains, “Ultra-violet rays are very harmful for the skin and can cause damage as grave as skin cancer. Many of the world’s renowned brands manufacture sunscreens and they definitely wouldn’t risk being sued because of failing quality checks and damaging the skin of its users.” On enquiring if sunscreens contain chemicals which can be harmful, Dr. Kandhari mentioned, “Yes, there are chemicals present to protect the skin and not to harm. Good brands are trustworthy and those who are exposed to the sun for long hours must protect their skin by applying sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection.” It is best to check and make sure that your sunscreen doesn’t contain more than 0.5% oxybenzone, since the chemical can be harmful to your body. Remember to also check your lip balms, moisturisers and lipsticks that provide SPF protection for your safety.
Over the years, with growing consciousness about beauty and skin-care, different varieties of sunscreens have been introduced. What initially was a jelly-like substance is now available as a spray-on, disappearing coloured sunblock for kids, and has a waterproof range too. With regular researches keeping a check on the cosmetic companies and helping us choose the right products, Baz Luhrman’s popular song still stands true... ‘If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it…’
Spriha Srivastava
For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
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I don’t clearly remember since when I got habituated to using sunscreen, but I also can’t remember a time when I stepped out of home without applying a sunscreen lotion. I’m positive that there would be many like me who follow this routine. With the rate at which cosmetic brands, beauty experts and enthusiastic customers are increasing, it is no wonder that the present times is being referred to as the boom era of cosmetics. And amidst all these products that help one to glam-up from head to toe, one product which has won patronage from people around the world is the sunscreen. But beneath the heap of advantages offered by this product, is a word of caution recently planted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This watchdog organisation has brought to notice that some of the popular brands that make sunscreens contain hazardous chemicals, and at times do not provide the level of sun protection that they claim.
Oxybenzone is a commonly known culprit, and its traces have been found in the urine samples of 97% of Americans over the age of six by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The chemicals in sunscreens penetrate the skin and make their way into a person’s bloodstream. Oxybenzone particularly has been found to cause allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage. Lax safety standards implemented by the FDA to determine UVA protection have triggered the EWG to tag the products as unsafe to use. Defying this research, Dr. Kandhari, a dermatologist, explains, “Ultra-violet rays are very harmful for the skin and can cause damage as grave as skin cancer. Many of the world’s renowned brands manufacture sunscreens and they definitely wouldn’t risk being sued because of failing quality checks and damaging the skin of its users.” On enquiring if sunscreens contain chemicals which can be harmful, Dr. Kandhari mentioned, “Yes, there are chemicals present to protect the skin and not to harm. Good brands are trustworthy and those who are exposed to the sun for long hours must protect their skin by applying sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection.” It is best to check and make sure that your sunscreen doesn’t contain more than 0.5% oxybenzone, since the chemical can be harmful to your body. Remember to also check your lip balms, moisturisers and lipsticks that provide SPF protection for your safety.
Over the years, with growing consciousness about beauty and skin-care, different varieties of sunscreens have been introduced. What initially was a jelly-like substance is now available as a spray-on, disappearing coloured sunblock for kids, and has a waterproof range too. With regular researches keeping a check on the cosmetic companies and helping us choose the right products, Baz Luhrman’s popular song still stands true... ‘If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it…’
Spriha Srivastava
For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Follow Arindam Chaudhuri on Twitter
1 lakh copies sold in less than 10 days of Arindam Chaudhuri’s “Discover The Diamond In you”
IIPM fights meltdown, places 2300 students By Education Mail Bureau
Delhi/ NCR B- Schools get better By Swati Sharma
Events at IIPM
IIPM set to beat economic slowdown
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
