A regular reader asked me to review the efficacy of this sunscreen. While I don’t ordinarily comply to review sunscreens based on such little information, it was not a hard call here.
The product’s ingredient list is: Octinoxate (7.5%), Avobenzone (2%), Oxybenzone (3%), Zinc Oxide (2%)
Why I wouldn’t use this sunscreen?
Unstable protection against UVA radiation
Oxybenzone as a harmful chemical
Full ingredient list is absent
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Unstable protection against UVA radiation
The product relies on 2 UVA filters: Avobenzone (a gold standard but photo-unstable filter) and low concentrations of Zinc Oxide (a UVA and UVB filter).
Available evidence shows Avobenzone degrades quickly upon exposure to sunlight, reducing its efficacy by as much as 50 and 90 per cent after 60 minutes of exposure.
This product uses Benzophenone-3 to stabilise Avobenzone.
I would have said this works BUT the sunscreen also includes Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate), which makes the Avobenzone unstable (as well as making the Octinoxate less effective). The study listed below shows that a mixture of Octinoxate and Avobenzone shows less absorbance after UV exposure, indicating a photo-unstable formulation. Click on LINK for more information.
The study above also points out that we should not dismiss the effect of Avobenzone in reducing skin cancer risk.
I get that. But we are Indian and my no 1 issue when using sunscreen is to prevent photoaging (caused mainly by UVA radiation), which a photo-unstable Avobenzone will not do.
Oxybenzone as a harmful chemical
Oxybenzone is a hormonal disruptor and a known skin allergen. If you’d like more details on the deleterious effects of Oxybenzone, please read my blog, Chemicals to Avoid – Oxybenzone). I completely respect the fact that it is your body and health and also, that you may be happy using products with Oxybenzone.
Full ingredient list is absent
This product very helpfully lists out the UV filters, but I don’t have access to the complete ingredient list.
I cannot emphasise to you enough, that you should not buy products that do not fully disclose ingredient lists. There are very few exceptions in Indian law (e.g., the package size is too small) that do not require this disclosure.
Closing remarks
I don’t think I have much to add, except I am not rushing out to buy this sunscreen!!
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