Newly published U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) research in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that even after one application, several sunscreen active ingredients are absorbed into the body’s bloodstream. The clinical trial tested six ingredients commonly found in chemical sunscreens—avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone—and found that all six ingredients were systematically absorbed, whether administered in a lotion, an aerosol spray, a non-aerosol spray, or a pump spray. The study also found that the active ingredients can stay in the body long after absorption. Although the FDA did acknowledge the need for further research on these ingredients, the organization underscored that the findings of the study do not necessarily indicate that any of the six ingredients are unsafe. Moreover, according to the FDA, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are used in mineral sunscreens, are recognized to be both safe and effective, and additional data on those ingredients is not needed at this time.
RELATED STORIES
Professional Tips For Applying Sunscreen
Create Your Own DIY Aloe Scrub For Soothing Summer Skin
London-Based Startup Launches Free Sunscreen Finder