Safety of many sunscreen ingredients is in doubt – should we worry?

The US body that regulates sunscreen has declared that 12 of the 16 popular active ingredients might not actually be safe. Here’s what you need to know

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By Jessica Hamzelou

SUMMER has returned to the northern hemisphere, and many will be reminded to slather on the sunscreen to keep sunburn at bay. But after recent developments, some may hesitate, wondering if sunscreen is totally safe.

In the past five months, the US body that regulates sunscreen has declared that 12 active ingredients used in sunscreens might not actually be safe. And in a study published in May, the organisation found that four of these ingredients enter the bloodstream through the skin.

The …