The French Health and Food Safety Agency (ANSES) has recommended that the French government stop using octocrylene in sunscreen cosmetics . He justifies his position by the union's negative impact on the environment .
Octocrylene as a controversial ingredient of SPF creams
This relationship has already been widely reported in previous years. Research on octacrylene shows that this popular ingredient of many sunscreen cosmetics may adversely affect the environment and, above all, marine life. It is said to be responsible for the depletion of the coral reef.
A 2019 study [1] found that " octocrylene accumulates in corals as fatty acid conjugates and induces mitochondrial dysfunction ."
The French Federation of Cosmetic Companies (FEBEA) referred to the recommendations of the French agency, claiming that
coral reef bleaching is mainly caused by rising ocean temperatures associated with global warming, followed by other recognized factors such as overfishing,
and the allegation was not supported by any valuable evidence and methods.
Despite the situation, the cosmetics industry, within the framework of the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS), has undertaken to develop a " computational model of marine exposure to sunscreens ". It is expected to be ready at the end of 2023.
France is not the first country to ban octocrylene
Several countries have already banned the use of octocrylene in sunscreen cosmetics. This decision was also made by the authorities of the US Virgin Islands.
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What is octocrylene ( Octocrylene )?
This is an organic (chemical) SPF commonly used in sunscreen products. Effectively protects the skin against UV radiation. Over time, it may degrade into harmful beznophenone in cosmetics . This compound is described as carcinogenic. It is also harmful to aquatic organisms [2] .
However, octocrylene was recognized in 2021 by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) as safe when used at a maximum concentration of 10% . However, its negative impact on the environment was not taken into account. The French health agency is primarily interested in this, which recommends stopping the use of octacrylene for the sake of the health of the planet, especially coral reefs.
[1] https://hal.sorbonne-universite.fr/hal-01973836/file/Manuscript%20File.pdf
[2] https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/sccs-final-opinion-octocrylene-2021-04-15_en
