Oxybenzone may
not be a chemical that you are familiar with, but you likely encounter it
daily, especially in the summer months. Oxybenzone is an organic compound that is
found in many sunscreens and cosmetic products to help protect you against the
sun’s UV-A and UV-B rays (Drugbank, 2007). It can also be used in cosmetic
products as a stabilizer and to add strength and color to products (The Derm Review,
2018).
Although there
isn’t a huge health risk for using oxybenzone, it can cause skin irritation,
may cause eye irritation and may cause respiratory irritation (ACS, 2018). Since
the product is applied and absorbed through the skin, it is recommended that
young children and pregnant women refrain from using products containing oxybenzone
(The Derm Review, 2018). Some studies have shown that exposure to oxybenzone can
cause hormone imbalances.
Oxybenzone’s
major draw back is the fact that it is very toxic to marine life and coral found
in the ocean. Because of the toxic effects of oxybenzone for ocean species, the
state of Hawaii has declared that all sunscreens containing oxybenzone will be
banned from being sold or used in Hawaii. This law will take effect in the year
2021.
Luckily the
banning of oxybenzone from sunscreen doesn’t mean that you will be subject to
roasting on the beaches of Hawaii unprotected. There are alternatives to oxybenzone
that are just as effective as products containing the chemical. Sunscreen that is
mineral based containing zinc oxide and titanium oxide will also help to protect
you from the sun’s rays (Zachos, 2018). You can also protect yourself by wearing
sun protective clothing.
The image
above shows a sunscreen on the left containing oxybenzone, as well as a
sunscreen that is oxybenzone free on the right. Choosing to use products that
do not contain oxybenzone will not only reduce possible health risks, but also
helps reduce the negative impacts the chemical can have on our oceans.
References
ACS: Chemistry for Life. (2018). Molecule of the week archive:
Oxybenzone. Retrieved January 27, 2019, from https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/
archive/o/oxybenzone.html
Drug Bank. (2007). Oxybenzone. Retrieved January 26, 2019, from https://www.drugbank.ca/
drugs/DB01428
The Derm Review. (2018). Oxybenzone. Retrieved January 27, 2019, from https://thedermreview.com/
oxybenzone/
Zachos, E. (2018). Here are some alternatives to reef-damaging sunscreen.
Retrieved January 26, 2019, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/australia/here-are-some-alternatives-to-reef-damaging-sunscreen.aspx
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