In Råd & Rön’s review two years ago, hormone-disrupting substances were found in more than half of the 200 sunscreen products reviewed. That number has dropped to a tenth, but chemical UV filters still have a reputation for being dangerous to health.
– They are not harmful to our health, says Elmira Tavoosi at the Medical Products Agency.
The ingredients in the sunscreens sold within the EU are checked and approved by an independent committee within the EU.
– It is very easy to throw out the term “endocrine disruptor” without it actually being so. There may be indications from individual studies, but where there is no evidence that the substance can cause negative health aspects in humans, says Elmira Tavoosi, senior investigator at the Swedish Medicines Agency and toxicologist.
It is the Swedish Medicines Agency that supervises cosmetic products in Sweden, which also includes sun protection. On the one hand, they check that the UV filters are effective and work as promised, and on the other hand, random samples are made to see that the companies do not use anything other than what is written on the packaging.
“Is there a fear of chemicals”
Nevertheless, there is a widespread fear of chemicals.
– We have a rather strong fear of chemicals, but everything in the world is made up of chemicals, whether it is from the plant kingdom or produced in a laboratory.
– That it is non-toxic, that is what we are looking for. In addition to the general fear of chemicals we have today, it has been seen that these UV filters can affect coral reefs, but this does not mean that they are harmful to our health, says Elmira Tavoosi.
The warning: Beware of imported products
However, when the products are not produced within the EU or manufactured for the European market, they may contain any poisons. Therefore, it is important to check that the product has an address on the packaging in a location within the EU.
It is also important to be vigilant when shopping on large e-commerce sites that directly mediate products from abroad, so-called
The expert’s tips for safe sun protection:
Buy products covered by EU regulations. Check that the product labeling contains mandatory parts such as a list of contents, clear user instructions in Swedish and the name and address of the responsible company (must be within the EU).
Never use sunscreen after the expiry date. It can both change the chemical composition and lower the UV protection.
Apply a thick layer and apply often. The UV label on the packaging assumes that you are wearing a thick layer.
The primary sun protection is shade and clothing, the secondary is sunscreen.