If you follow our articles here on the sun page, you know how much we care about sunscreen. We want to raise people’s awareness about the topic. And we want to clarify the numerous misinterpretations that persist around UV filters and sunscreen products. To do this, it requires us to take a look back into the past – and into the future.

1. Safety of UV filters and sunscreen products 

The short (and most important) answer is: Yes, they are safe. Before UV filters can be brought to the market, they undergo very complex registration processes. For Europe, this is strictly regulated by the EU Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009). UV filters are meticulously examined and evaluated by a scientific committee. If all the data to show the safety of the UV filter molecules are scientifically supported, approval is granted. For end users, this clearly means: Products that contain approved UV filters can be used without any worries or concerns.

2. Are natural UV filters better than chemical UV filters? 

Generally speaking, we don't talk about chemical and natural or physical filters because this classification is misleading. "There are ORGANIC filters, which are carbon based. Then there are INORGANIC filters – zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – minerals which are carbon free," explains Marcel Schnyder, Head of Global Technical Center Sun Care. So-called natural filters based on inorganic chemistry are not natural. The inorganic filters are also chemical filters. Why? They are chemically modified for use in personal care. They have to be cleaned using chemical processes and additionally coated in the case of TiO2 and some ZnO variants.

3. SPF 30 isn't simply twice as good as SPF 15, right? 

Why should I pay more for SPF 30 than for SPF 15, even though it only stops 3–4% more UV radiation from reaching my skin? To dispel this myth, let’s take a closer look at this difference. Let’s say an SPF 30 product can filter out around 96.7% of UV rays. And let’s say an SPF 15 product filters out approximately 93.3% of UV radiation. Looking at it this way, the difference is 3.4%. This does indeed seem to be a very small difference in efficacy. 

But, and now comes the big and important BUT: This reasoning and way of looking at it is INCORRECT. When we calculate the sun protection factor, it’s not just about how much UV radiation is blocked, absorbed or filtered. Instead, we need to look at the amount of UV radiation that can reach and penetrate our skin to cause damage to it. When we look at it from this more relevant angle, we arrive at the following differences: 

• Sunscreens with SPF 30 allow 3.3% of UV radiation to hit our skin. 
• SPF 15 sunscreens allow 6.7% of UV radiation to hit our skin. 
• As a result, SPF 30 allows half as many UV rays to reach our skin compared to SPF 15.

4. Are sunscreens responsible for cancer? 

This topic is very sensitive. Misinformation can create a great deal of fear. Consumers reject some everyday products if they contain “too many chemicals.” “Free of chemicals” has become the byword for natural, healthy products. However, cosmetic products in particular are subject to strict guidelines and processes. If you find a sunscreen in your local store, you can be sure that this product is also safe to use. 

Looking at skin cancer statistics is not an especially good way to alleviate this fear. UV radiation is classified as carcinogenic. This is why efforts have been made to make people aware of the benefit of using sunscreen. Nevertheless, skin cancer rates are continuing to rise. Why? At this juncture, we need to take a look at the past. It was back in the 1990s in particular that the desire to travel took off. People spent more time in hot countries with a high sun intensity or went on holidays in winter – a time when our skin is unprepared and either white or very light.

Back then, sunscreen was not yet on everyone’s agenda. Even if people were aware, they only had access to products that, from today’s perspective, would be considered inadequate in terms of protection and performance. The average SPF was just 10–15. Together with the fact that skin cancer only develops after several years or decades, we can now look at the statistics to see the effects this lack of protection has had. The increase in the use of sunscreen today is not the reason for the continued rise in skin cancer cases among the population; the cause can be traced back to the decades prior to this.

5. Do UV filters damage coral reefs? 

Although research into the environmental impact of UV filters and sunscreen products is still in its infancy, reports of damage to the ecosystem, coral reefs and our oceans are increasing. Above all, the question remains: Is it even possible to formulate sun protection that is sustainable and environmentally friendly? 

We asked our experts in Grenzach: "Development continues all the time. With today's knowledge, the facts and results available, sun protection products can be developed and formulated with as little impact on the environment as possible," says Stéphanie Acker, Senior Technical Manager Sun Care, BASF, Grenzach, Germany. 

Let’s dive into the underwater world and look at the corals. Yes, there are concerns and studies suggesting that UV filters have a negative impact on corals and coral reefs. However, based on the current state of science, it is not yet possible to clearly substantiate such statements or claims. To date, there is no standard or test procedure that can describe the actual impact on the viability of coral under the influence of UV filters. 

Nevertheless, such studies have led to sunscreens containing certain UV filters being banned in some countries. These decisions are of great concern to human health. There is much to do in the coming years, especially with regard to UV filters and the environment. BASF is also involved in this process of developing standardized coral test methods (OECD/ISO). The EcoSun Pass allows further environmental impacts of UV filter combinations to be successfully assessed today.

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