Science is always making new advancements and with that, it is important to check up on the sunscreen we have been using recently. The FDA is questioning the active ingredients in sunscreen. There is now more knowledge on what our skin can absorb and which sunscreen will work the best on our skin type. There has been an increase in sunscreen use because of the knowledge we now have about sun damage to the skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently on a mission to assure that the current active ingredients are safe. According to The Sunscreen Innovation Act of 2014, products are required to be “generally recognized as safe and effective”, or GRASE.
Currently, of the 16 marked active ingredients in sunscreen, only two are GRASE. These two ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide at concentrations up to 25%. In addition to this, two other active ingredients are not GRASE due to the risks outweighing the benefits. These two ingredients are aminobenzoic acid and trolamine salicylate. As the other 12 ingredients go, there is simply not enough safety data on them. With this lack of data, there is no way that the FDA can claim the ingredients as GRASE.
Furthermore, It is no question that the use of sunscreen is to protect people from the suns harmful rays. For example, too much exposure to the sun can result in skin damage and skin cancer. As a result, the ingredients need to be safe as well. Over-the-counter sunscreen will continue to be sold for consumer use in the meantime, but other sun protective behaviors are suggested. These include wearing sunglasses, hats, clothing that covers the arms, torso, and legs and seeking shade when possible.
https://chemicalwatch.com/74647/us-fda-questions-ingredient-safety-in-sunscreen-regulations-update
