Sunscreen is an important tool for protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the suns ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, some sunscreen ingredients can be harmful to eye health, and it is important to read both the active and inactive ingredient deck of sunscreen products. Here are some details about the ingredients and materials related to sunscreen and eye damage:
Ingredients:
-
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide: These are the only two ingredients that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified as safe and effective based on the currently available information.
-
Oxybenzone: This is the most worrisome sunscreen active ingredient, according to publicly available scientific research. It is readily absorbed through the skin and can cause allergic skin reactions, behaves like a hormone disruptor in many studies, and may cause more harm to children.
-
Octyl methoxycinnamate, benzophenone-3 and −4, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-benzylidene camphor, and octocrylene: These are organic filters that have been found to have neurotoxic effects.
Positive effects:
-
Sunscreen can protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, which can cause skin damage, skin cancer, and premature skin aging.
-
Wearing sunglasses and a hat is the simplest and safest way to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Negative effects:
-
The same preservatives and ingredients that are harmful to eye health in skin care and makeup products are often also present in sunscreen. Using sunscreen products that contain these ingredients can lead to dry eye disease, ocular surface disruption, dermatitis, or meibomian gland dysfunction.
-
Overexposure to UV rays can increase the risk of developing a number of eye diseases, including cataracts, growths on the eye, and cancer.
In conclusion, while sunscreen is an important tool for protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the suns UV rays, it is important to be aware of the ingredients and materials that can be harmful to eye health. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the only two ingredients that the FDA has classified as safe and effective, and it is important to read both the active and inactive ingredient deck of sunscreen products. Wearing sunglasses and a hat is the simplest and safest way to protect your eyes from UV rays.
