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Original poster

To have crippling guilt over chemical sunscreens

85 replies

nevertearusapart · 21/08/2024 23:36

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.

OP posts:
HotCrossBunplease · 22/08/2024 00:13

nevertearusapart · 22/08/2024 00:07

@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

Show quote history

It is because if there was actual scientific evidence of a real risk of a baby product causing cancer, it would be front page news. You’ve read something that you are not equipped to assess properly and have put two and two together and made 10. You have been taken in by sensationalist journalism. And now you are in a spiral of beating yourself up instead of taking a step back and seeing things in perspective.

Mercedes45 · 22/08/2024 00:12

What Sunscreen is it?

Original poster
nevertearusapart · 22/08/2024 00:11

KreedKafer · 22/08/2024 00:06

OP, there’s no evidence at all to suggest that any ingredients in sunscreen, hand wash or anything else you use on your body is harmful in the manner and concentrations in which they are used.

I suspect you may have a fairly significant issue with anxiety or OCD, yes? Your response seems very extreme.

@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.

OP posts:
Original poster
nevertearusapart · 22/08/2024 00:07

HotCrossBunplease · 22/08/2024 00:03

Tomorrow morning, please make an appointment to see your GP about your anxiety. This is disordered thinking. It’s not nice to be in the grip of it and you need professional help to get it under control.
All the best.

@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

OP posts:
soakingupthesun · 22/08/2024 00:06

Please make sure you are getting your information from credible sources. There's a lot of scaremongering, bullshit and lies on the internet

KreedKafer · 22/08/2024 00:06

OP, there’s no evidence at all to suggest that any ingredients in sunscreen, hand wash or anything else you use on your body is harmful in the manner and concentrations in which they are used.

I suspect you may have a fairly significant issue with anxiety or OCD, yes? Your response seems very extreme.

HotCrossBunplease · 22/08/2024 00:03

Tomorrow morning, please make an appointment to see your GP about your anxiety. This is disordered thinking. It’s not nice to be in the grip of it and you need professional help to get it under control.
All the best.

Pineappleprep · 22/08/2024 00:00

Bit of context for others...
A study suggests that octocrylene can break down to form a substance called benzophenone, which may lead to cancer. Benzophenone is one of a family of chemicals and it can be used to provide flavour or fragrance or to absorb sunlight in some consumer products.

From what I admittedly very quickly researched, this study was performed on rats and in test tubes, no evidence that this happens in humans has been found and octocrylene is listed as safe to use within sun lotions and cosmetic products.

Following the study the US Virgin islands banned sun lotions with octocrylene as an ingredient due to it being found that it can cause damage to the mitochondrial system of coral reefs and marine animals however it was noted that harmful concentrations only occurred when the product was applied shortly before entering water. the study found that the concentration was below harmful levels if sun lotions were fully absorbed before entering lakes, river or oceans.

  • Study by Aaron Boyd, a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
Original poster
nevertearusapart · 21/08/2024 23:59

Thanks @RantyMcRanterton that’s reassuring and I know that information about all of these are evolving. That said, it looks like the handwash we’ve been using contains the same carcinogenic chemical (benzophenone) - I am totally freaking out

OP posts:
RantyMcRanterton · 21/08/2024 23:48

Sunscreen explained by a dermatologist | British Skin Foundation
This is the only mention of octocrylene on the british skin foundation website, I would urge you to have a read and be reassured that they haven't documented any concerns.

Sunscreen explained by a dermatologist

Sunscreens can be confusing... Consultant Dermatologist Dr Adil Sheraz demystifies the jargon.

https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/sunscreen-explained-by-a-dermatologist

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