The U.S. based Environmental Working Group (EWG) has called for a safety review of oxybenzone, an ingredient commonly found in sunscreens and other personal care products including moisturizers, lip balms and lipsticks.

According to the group, researchers have shown that, in the presence of sunlight, oxybenzone forms free radicals which may by associated with cell damage. Some studies have indicated that it is also likely to be associated with allergic reactions triggered by sun exposure, while others have suggested that oxybenzone and it’s breakdown products may disrupt the reproductive and adrenal hormone systems. Because oxybenzone that is washed from the skin during swimming and bathing is not completely removed during the treatment of waste water, there are also ecological concerns for marine habitats into which treated waste water is ultimately released.

 
Until the safety of this and other ingredients can be proven, it may be prudent to use only those personal care products made from natural ingredients such as plant oils. Information regarding the general safety of many skincare products and/or their ingredients can be found in the cosmetics database at http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com . Alternatively, books such as Bill Stratham’s “The Chemical Maze” may be useful.

 
References

 
Environmental Working Group  2008  CDC : Americans carry body burden of toxic sunscreen chemical  Online, available at : http://www.ewg.org/node/26212  (Viewed on 4.4.08)

 
Stratham, B.  2002  The Chemical Maze  2^nd Edition  Pub : Possibility.com, N.S.W.