To have crippling guilt over chemical sunscreens

[nevertearusapart]

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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!

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.

why were they wearing sunscreen daily for 10 years?

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

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.

I'm very relieved, OP. I read your post in the early hours of the morning and nearly replied suggesting you get help for your health anxiety immediately, but decided my overtired state might lead me to express myself more harshly than would be constructive.

Being so upset are to want to cry about something you did to keep your children healthy, but that might have a possible side effects, just isn't in the normal range of responses.

Do accidents, news stories or health issues have you spiralling too?

Be kind to yourself, and try not torment yourself worrying about tiny risks.

My parents hardly used any sunscreen on me as a child. It was the 80s and no one cared. Sometimes we just put baby oil on to ‘get a faster tan’.

I’m in my 40s now and I just had a good chunk of my head chopped off due to skin cancer. It’s not from sunscreen. It’s from sun damage because my parents didn’t bother. Your children will be grateful one day you’ve protected their skin.

@Beth216 I know! Am going to stop googling as it’s definitely fuelling this. I actually ordered the Green People yesterday so good to hear it’s a good option.

Y

Lab Muffin?

https://www.youtube.com/@LabMuffinBeautyScience

She is Australian with a PhD in chemistry and specialises in cosmetic chemistry, is a science educator. (She also has ADHD)

Thanks @Turophilic have been thinking about that this morning and realised that it’s the kids’ cancer risk is the focus. DH pointed that I never worry about things like broken bones, head bangs, abduction etc. Or him getting sick 😀

labmuffin looks awesome, thank you

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.

It appears every single year there is some nonsense about sunscreen on social media.

Lab Muffin, various dermatologists and a few GPs/family doctors spend some time every year posting stuff to say it is a load of nonsense. The reason they do is because of increased skin cancer rates in their countries especially in Australia. You are protecting your children now so in anything from 15+ years time they don't have to have skin cancers cut out of their bodies - and that's if they are lucky - due to being burnt by the sun as babies.

Perspective & the phrase 'the dose makes the poison' are definitely key

OP, it's understandable to be shocked when discovering that a product you thought was completely safe may not be so safe after all, especially when kids are involved. But I think you have to look at the big picture and realize that the amount of chemicals we come into contact with on a daily basis is tremendous and prevalent, whether it be through the air, food, medications and even the soaps we use. I was recently stunned reading about aflatoxins in nuts, previously thinking (perhaps wrongly) how eating nuts couldn't possibly be bad for you. I think moderation is the key, whether it's sunscreen or otherwise. FWIW, I'm in a country where people tend to use sunscreen sparingly, relying on hats, shade, and just avoiding the sun at peak times. Don't beat yourself up about this, it will be okay.

I’ve just been re-reading through this thread and you’ve all been so supportive and kind 💐 Thank you

Are you in the UK? Because you don't need to use suncream daily if you are. Just be sensible on sun exposure and check UV levels.

However since that is too late now I'm sure it is all a worry about nothing small chances etc etc. Just remove it from your brain since you can't change it now. I'm sure your kids are fine

So what sunscreen is supposedly
safe? Pretty sure the millions of people who have used it are fine op!

You need to understand what a chemical is, OP. Everything is a chemical. A banana is a chemical, water is a chemical, a dog is a chemical! ‘Natural’ is a marketing ploy.