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A laboratory has compared the composition of organic sunscreens, supposedly environmentally friendly, to that of conventional sunscreens. The results showed that there was no real difference between the two product categories.
It’s time to renew your sun protection products for the coming summer! The protection index, the ease of application, the smell or the water resistance are all criteria that are taken into account at the time of purchase. But more and more consumers are also looking for sunscreen products that respect the environment and the seabed. Some brands now take into account this ecological awareness on the part of consumers and offer organic sunscreens “not harmful to the oceans”. A statement that turns out to be misleading in some cases…
Packaging to be reviewed in case of control
This is revealed by an investigation carried out by a reporting team from BFMTV. The journalists asked a laboratory to analyze a sunscreen “supposed to protect the oceans”. The results indicate that there is no real difference between the ingredients found in conventional creams and those found in those that claim to be organic. “What is indicated on the label is not necessarily authorized by the regulations. This needs to be fixed to comply with regulations”, commented Stéphane Pirnay, expert in toxicology.
A statement shared by the Cosmébio association, which specializes in natural and organic cosmetics. She denounces the greenwashing practiced by certain brands. “Some conventional sunscreen brands focus on protecting the oceans, while the product contains ingredients that are undesirable for your health. Others claim commitments with NGOs for the protection of underwater biodiversity while their products contain pretrochemical filters that pollute the oceans… Finally, others will value the presence of a mineral ingredient when it does not represents only a tiny part of the productt”. The association advises consumers to give preference to Cosmebio labeled sunscreen products, which require a minimum of 95% natural ingredients, and exclude petrochemical filters.
If in doubt about sunscreen, you can also turn to anti-UV clothing. They will not prevent you from using cream, but they will allow you to apply less of it and your skin will be more protected.
25,000 tonnes of sunscreen dumped into the sea each year
The Foundation for Nature and Man recalls on its website that approximately 25,000 tonnes of sunscreen are dumped into the sea each year. However, we know that certain ingredients contained in these products have an impact on corals and ecosystems and that certain chemical compounds present in sunscreens are considered dangerous to health (they can be found in the food chain via fish and seashells).