Ensuring the Safety of Sunscreens, and Their Efficacy in Preventing Skin Cancers: Challenges and Controversies for Clinicians, Formulators, and Regulators

Abstract

When people think about sun-protection or prevention of skin cancer, sunscreens readily come to mind. Sunscreen effectiveness is tested in vivo by the ability to prevent erythema of skin, yet testing methods vary between markets, and many sunscreens fail to achieve their claims. This article discusses the mechanism of action of sunscreens, Sun Protection Factor (SPF), safety concerns and the challenges for regulators. Many sunscreens that prevent erythema do not provide adequate protection as they contain anti-inflammatory agents; others have ingredients whose risks have not been fully evaluated. This article reviews the imperfect science behind sunscreens and points out the gaps in knowledge regarding safety, efficacy, public knowledge, and perception. Regulations vary between countries and only adds to the confusion. To truly prevent skin cancer, clinicians, formulators and regulators need to come together to research more and improve public education.

Cosmetics: What Do Bruneian Female Adults Believe?

“…As shown in Table 2 , more than half of the participants believe that using cosmetics could cause cancer. There are numerous controversies surrounding cosmetic products and increased cancer risk, though there is still a lack of scientific evidence to prove the relationship [ 19 , 20 ]. Similarly, a study on the everyday use of cosmetics and increased risk of breast cancer shows that there is no sufficient epidemiological data to support the relationship [ 21 ].…”

Focus on UV-Induced DNA Damage and Repair—Disease Relevance and Protective Strategies

“…Thus, the safety of these sunscreens need to be elucidated [ 174 ]. Moreover, there is a need for more standardized and unified testing methods for comparison of the effects of UV radiation on skin, as they are usually based on erythema formation, and this may not fully reflect the protective roles of sunscreens [ 175 ].…”

Sunscreens as a prevention of the photoaging

“…Also differences between SPF 30 and SPF 50 are minimal. [11] In the other words sun protection factor (SPF) is described as a ratio of the minimal amount of ultraviolet energy required to produce a minimal erythema on skin protected by sunscreen to the amount of energy required to produce the same erythema on unprotected skin. [12] Maximum daily ambient UV levels are expressed in units of standard erythema.…”