Are you still using last year’s old sunscreen? Better not! A French research team has now discovered that old sunscreen can be harmful to health and may even pose a risk of cancer. We explain when you should stop using sunscreen.
To protect yourself from UV rays, sunscreen should also be used in Germany between April and September. When applying cream, there are a few mistakes to avoid in order to prevent premature skin aging and skin cancer. In addition to the choice of sun protection factor, the age of the sunscreen is also important, because old sunscreen can cause skin cancer – this has now been discovered by French researchers.
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Risk of cancer: when to stop using old sunscreen
As part of a study, a French research team artificially aged sunscreens from various well-known brands and came to a shocking result. After a year, the ingredient octocrylene, a sunscreen filter, became the molecule benzophenone, which can penetrate the skin and cause damage there. Didier Stien, one of the authors of the study, explains: “If benzophenone gets on the skin, it can cause rashes, inflammation or hypersensitivity, but also liver cancer or lymphoma. This was the case in animal studies. The molecule affects the thyroid and reproductive organs.” There is also a risk in humans that benzophenone can damage the genetic material. The study was published in March this year in the medical journal Chemical Research in Toxicology. The researchers are now calling for a ban on the substances octocrylene and benzophenone in sun creams. After a year at the latest, you should no longer use sunscreen that contains Octorylene.
Risk of cancer: how can I protect myself?
Since the substance octocrylene is contained in many sun protection products, including high-quality ones, you should take a closer look at the ingredients before you buy them. Better throw away old sunscreen that contains octocrylene. Even if she still looks normal. If you don’t want to take any risks, you can buy sunscreen with a natural cosmetics seal, according to the NRW consumer advice center, because it only uses mineral UV filters and doesn’t contain any questionable ingredients.
Also interesting: Sunscreen – How much do I have to apply? >>
