Sunscreen has always been hailed a medical and cosmetic necessity for healthy skin.

However, the UV-filtering product has come under scrutiny lately, and some are questioning if sunscreen could pose a threat to reproductive and developmental health. 

So, is sunscreen dangerous?

Continue reading for the answer to this question and to learn what can happen when sunscreen chemicals enter your blood stream.

According to a New Report: Sunscreen Chemicals Enter Your Blood Stream

A recent report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association is raising some questions about the safety of sunscreen.

More specifically, researchers are trying to determine the extent to which sunscreen chemicals enter the blood stream and potential health implications. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Sunscreen Study

Researchers at the U.S. FDA conducted a study on the effects of sunscreen with 24 healthy men and women.

Over the course of four days, participants applied two spray sunscreens, one lotion sunscreen, and one cream sunscreen. Each of the four sunscreens was applied to 75 percent of the body four times a day. 

At the end of the trial, participants’ blood was drawn and evaluated for four key UV-filtering ingredients – avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule, and octocrylene. Findings demonstrated significant levels of the four ingredients in the participants’ blood. 

Is Sunscreen Dangerous? Should I Stop Using It?

In order to accurately assess these findings, it’s important to acknowledge the study’s limitations. To start, the sample size was extremely small, with just 24 participants. The duration, four days, was also very brief.

Additionally, while the results showed a systemic absorption of sunscreen chemicals, it did not provide evidence of subsequent or potential harm.

With that being said, further research is needed to improve understanding of the effects of sunscreen chemicals in the blood.

In the meantime, sunscreen remains an FDA-approved medical product that’s effective in protecting the skin from UV damage, reducing skin cancer risk, and preventing premature signs of aging.

Learn More About Sunscreen and Sun Protection

For additional information about sunscreen and sun protection, visit a skilled and experienced provider in your area.