To have crippling guilt over chemical sunscreens

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.

Imagine for skin protection from UV as OP has said they're not in the U.K.

why were they wearing sunscreen daily for 10 years?

This is incredibly disordered thinking OP. To be "crippled" with upset over something with no credible science behind it is disturbing.

The fact you claim to be so calm and laidback, yet crying and wailing over a single ingredient in kids suncream, is a pretty clear example of distorted thinking and an incorrect sense of self. I mean this kindly, but you should probably see a doctor.

You've done the right thing by protecting them

I'm on a medication that has a black box? In America, and kids of articles about how it increases, no DOUBLES your RISK of cancer (all written like that)
When I actually read the studies, it meant that something like 2 in 1000 instead of 1 in 1000 were affected. But the articles made it seem like I was taking a huge risk!

Can you say which brand on sunscreen you’ve been using?

I think if you looked into most things we use creams , perfumes plastics we use in the house eat food out of you would be much more worried than what sunscreen you used

It's a horrible feeling, knowing we might have given our precious children something that might be harmful.

I can understand why you feel guilty, but please keep reminding yourself that you did what you were told was best. Any guilt lies with manufacturers of the suncream.

We KNOW that sunburn causes skin cancer. You protected your children from the thing we are really sure is dangerous.

It seems some sunscreens may be carcinogenic. The link is nothing like as clear as the link between cancer and sunburn. Your children will most likely be fine. They will know that you did your best with the information available to you.

If you torture yourself with guilt over this, you won't improve their health chances, but you will make yourself unhappy, and by extension make them less happy.

Please forgive yourself for what was, at worst, a 'sin' of ignorance, and not in any way bad parenting. Focus your energy on loving and supporting your children. And on other good causes and actions if you wish.

But please keep telling yourself the truth - that this was NOT your fault.

It’s because you don’t have a perspective. If this is how you react to something that might have occurred but is highly unlikely and isn’t actually established to be anything yet how are you going to handle actual things?

Labmuffinbeautyscience is a great resource on Instagram and YouTube. She’s a very qualified cosmetic scientist who breaks down ingredients etc and busts myths and scaremongering in a very digestible way. Highly recommended if you’re nervous about stuff like this 👍🏻

I personally don't use chemical sunscreens on my kids for the reasons you mention, but I also wouldn't be as worried as you are about past use either.

Your kids will be fine. It's not a life and death choice, it's more of a 'optimising' choice if you know what I mean. And we all make different choices and assessments about what we deem 'optimal'.

We use a zinc sunblock called Shade and it's fantastic. And extremely aquaphobic which is so useful.

I don't not use the chemical sunscreens because i'm terrified that my children will get cancer, but it's such an easy thing to swap out to ease that accumulation of environmental toxins we are constantly bombarded with.

If I don't have any zinc sunblock with me, I'll happily borrow a pals normal stuff.

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.

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.

OP please consider getting some support for health anxiety, that is not a normal way to feel. Everything has chemicals in unfortunately. It's far more important for anyone, especially kids, to not get sun damaged skin, this has a far stronger link to cancer than a chemical.

Just when I thought the bar for being "vile" on mn couldn't get any lower 🤨

Sending you a big hug OP - your fears are entirely disproportionate to the risks. Being a parent is such a wonderful experience. Sadly for a lot of people nowadays it is marred by fear, as a result of too much ( often bogus or inflammatory ) information being available through google. I wish more mothers would trust their instincts rather than beating themselves up. Please no more tears and maybe see a doctor - mild concern might have been an ok reaction to this 'threat' but even a single tear is concerning when looking at the issue through the lens of your own health .

This is a really good post, OP. The word 'chemical' has become synonymous with 'toxic' which is really inaccurate but highly convenient for marketing purposes whether that's for skincare or food or even bloody furniture!

Suncream is highly tested. Anything that claims to be OK for children's skin is HIGHLY tested! If you want your product to make medical claims for children's products you have to prove it.

I agree with others, be kinder to yourself & entertain the idea that though your reaction is understandable (your a mum!) it's not proportional & you might need some help with that. You're only human & there's no shame xx

Exactly the same conversations were being had about smoking in the 40s as women were being prescribed fags for anxiety. It takes decades for any issue that involves human behaviour and convenience to change. Even with the climate crisis denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

Group litigation and compensation culture in the States feed the conspiracy theories.

Exactly. People are very naive here. Big pharma may millions to bury evidence every year.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/johnson-johnson-baby-powder-settlement-talc/

OP it is no coincidence that cancer rates have doubled in twenty years. We are using more and more forever chemicals that degrade into carcinogens. You can only go off the information you have at the time.

The consultant dermatologist I know has been saying for many years we should all be using mineral suncream but going around to the newspapers explaining why just isn't going to happen for all the NDAs and cover ups.

Don't get caught up in guilt just switch to as few products you can that have any carcinogens going forward.

Thank you for writing pretty much what I wanted to say but didn't have the energy to write. 👍

Sorry just seen you edited it