To have crippling guilt over chemical sunscreens

@KreedKafer no history of anxiety or OCD ever, am very laid back. Looks like I might be totally off here though so thanks for posting as I wouldn’t have realised it.

Every single parent since the beginning of time gives their child something that turns out to be bad for them.

In recent generations, we have toys with lead based paint, thalidomide, ultra processed foods.

We do the best we can with the knowledge we have. And when we learn that something is unsafe, we stop using it. That's all we can possibly do.

Everything gives you cancer, literally!

Got a new car? - A 2023 study by the Beijing Institute of Technology found that the chemicals that cause the "new car smell" could be carcinogenic and increase the risk of cancer for drivers and passengers.

Got a sofa? - Sofas can contain toxic chemicals that may be linked to cancer, and these chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and lungs.

Sleep on a mattress? - Mattresses can pose a cancer risk because they often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are known carcinogens.

Eat any kind of processed food? - Researchers from Imperial’s School of Public Health have produced the most comprehensive assessment to date of the association between ultra-processed foods and the risk of developing cancers. Ultra-processed foods are food items which have been heavily processed during their production, such as fizzy drinks, mass-produced packaged breads, many ready meals and most breakfast cereals.

Wear make up? - Some makeup ingredients may be linked to cancer, including asbestos, crystalline silica, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals:
Asbestos
Talc-based makeup that contains asbestos may expose users to asbestos, which can lead to lung cancer or mesothelioma. In 2019, the FDA found asbestos in almost 20% of 52 cosmetic samples, and in 2020, the Environmental Working Group found asbestos in three of 21 samples.
Crystalline silica
This airborne contaminant is used in many cosmetics, including lipsticks, eye shadows, and foundations. It can be inhaled into the lungs, or it can come into contact with the eyes and skin. The NTP and IARC both list crystalline silica as a known human carcinogen.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Cosmetics, lotions, and fragrances may contain chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and phenols, which could increase the risk of breast cancer.

Use talc? - The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classifies talc as "probably carcinogenic to humans".

Use dry shampoo? - In October 2022, Unilever voluntarily recalled 19 dry shampoo products due to benzene contamination, a known carcinogen. The recall included brands like Dove, Tresemmé, Bed Head,

The idea that just because something is sold in the UK means it must be 100% safe is just nonsense. I'd been using a kids shampoo for years along with my kids, DGJ watermelon kids shampoo, it was the only thing that worked for my hair but them suddenly it just completely disappeared and I couldn't find any information as to why. I looked up the ingredients to try and find another shampoo with similar ingredients and it turned out one of the ingredients had been found to be carcinogenic and been banned.

When it comes to sun cream I recommend using the Green people one OP. Lots of nasty chemicals in a lot of them, but really nothing is ever 100%, there's always more that research could find out but that isn't known right now.

@emmypa There are lots of other common food items/ingredients if you look up what's in them when they are stored and/or processed you would feel quite queasy. However the vast majority of the UK and European populations who consume these products daily/regularly are not ill.

(I've deliberately not said what the food items are.)

In regards to sunscreen it is apparently cheaper in the UK than in lots of other countries particularly due to the German supermarkets. There is a campaign to remove VAT from it by some of those who have had skin cancer and survived, but there are arguments that it wouldn't reduce the price.

I read this morning that the baby suncream that we used daily on my children for years had Octocrylene as an ingredient up until recently. An increasing amount of studies are showing that this degrades into a carcinogenic chemical (benzophenone) over time.

So basically I have been rubbing a cancer causing substance onto my babies every day for almost a decade. I haven’t stopped crying since reading it and feel like I’m loosing my mind. Am usually on top of what they’re eating, using, wearing etc and cannot believe I was so stupid to just trust a ‘natural’ baby brand. And there is nothing I can do about it.

Would really appreciate a handhold as I’m properly struggling and spiralling. Thanks.

Calpol contains paracetamol.

Paracetamol itself, like every single medication people including children take, can cause serious side effects for some individuals however virtually everyone in the UK at some point has taken paracetamol.

labmuffin looks awesome, thank you

The 'proving' it is very subjective though because the pharma companies seem to fund the regulators - https://www.investigate-europe.eu/posts/deadly-prices-big-pharma-influence-hangs-over-europes-medicines-regulator

There was this story a few years ago where the sun cream spf's seemingly weren't correct but the companies responded by saying they were basically happy with their own testing. So who is right? - https://www.bbc.com/news/health-27439734

Calpol is an interesting one. Used by probably 99% of families in the UK but its banned in some countries because of the e numbers. Given the e numbers are just the colouring i cant understand why they wouldnt just make it not purple anymore?! - https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/make-it-better-child-medicines-contain-banned-additives-linked-to-hyperactivity-8895331.html

And then there was the film a few years ago called Dark Waters about Teflon (not medicine but another giant).

Theres a really interesting book called Bad Pharma that talks about how the pharma industry works. Its written by a doctor. Id recommend it. Its not so much about particular products but just a generally interesting read.

I guess everyone can only do their best. Iv never given much of this any thought until having children. I try and use non toxic /organic products where possible but they are often v expensive and sometimes more hassle to get so i guess everyone grabs what they can from the supermarket a lot of the time. In 50 years or so it will be interesting to see the outcome.

Someone on here posted a video a few months ago that was really informative. It was an Asian American (I think) dermatologist but I can't remember her name or find the video. She did a deep dive into chemical Vs mineral sunscreens and the conclusion was use what you like to use most as it's better than sun damaged skin cells! If anyone knows who I mean please could they link and it put my mind at ease.

I get the anxiety as it's something we feel we can control but honestly there are forever chemicals/micro plastics/other nasties all over the place and in our environment, food and bodies. There's nothing we can do about it so you might as well not worry too much. Just eat as healthy as you can, exercise, drink water and hope for the best. In Bill Brysons book about the body he does a paragraph on cancer and when you consider how many cells there are in our bodies although it's a 'common illness' its actually a very rare event on an individual level. Again changed my mindset a little.

@HotCrossBunplease really, do you think that? Is it because you think the levels of chemicals involved are minute or because we live in a world where chemicals are unavoidable or that our bodies are good at filtering the effects? Would really appreciate understanding your perspective as a balance for my head! Thanks very much

And yes, have rang my GP so taking that advice. Thank you.