Free radicals from sunscreens – risks and protective measures

Currently, we often read and hear about "free radicals" and their harmful effects on us humans. They are said to be particularly dangerous, even carcinogenic, especially in combination with sunscreen. But is this equation really that simple? We will explain to you what the topic of "free radicals" is all about, how they are formed and what you should look out for.

Contents:

1. What are free radicals?

2. When do free radicals arise?

3. What does an excess of free radicals lead to?

4. What helps against the formation of free radicals?

5. What are antioxidants and where do they occur?

6. Which foods contain a lot of antioxidants?

7. Do sunscreens increase the formation of free radicals?

8. Does coating the zinc oxide help prevent the formation of free radicals?

9. Summary

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are atoms that have at least one unpaired electron (negatively charged elementary particle) in their outer shell and are therefore relatively unstable. They would rather "pair" and combine with another electron. If the radical does not find another electron that wants to pair with it or something that neutralizes it, the reactivity of this radical can cause damage and loss of function in cells and thus, in the long term, also lead to DNA damage.
What we must not forget in connection with free radicals is that the body can also use free radicals for its own purposes. For example, in the context of inflammatory reactions, free radicals have a very specific added value: they help fight pathogens. The formation of free radicals is therefore a physiological process, i.e. an endogenous process, which should not worry us at first.

When do free radicals arise?

The formation of free radicals occurs in normal metabolic processes, for example during breathing, because a lot of oxygen is involved there. Immune cells also form radicals during inflammatory reactions, which, as described above, can even help our health. However, there are many external influences that increase the formation of radicals. This puts so-called oxidative stress on our cells, which can be harmful to our health in the long term. This includes smoking (with every puff of a cigarette, a large number of free radicals are absorbed), air pollution, chemicals (e.g. pesticides) and UV radiation.

What does an excess of free radicals lead to?

If the body is exposed to too many free radicals, oxidative stress occurs, which can damage cells and tissue and thus promote diseases. These include cancer, heart disease and many more. In addition, aging processes (e.g. of the skin) are accelerated by free radicals.

What helps against the formation of free radicals?

Avoid environmental toxins: Smoking, air pollution, pesticides and other chemicals provide a concentrated load of free radicals.
Use of sun protection: The filters in sunscreens protect the skin from UV radiation, which promotes the formation of free radicals.
Intake or use of antioxidants: These neutralize free radicals. The body sometimes produces its own antioxidants or processes antioxidants that we have ingested, for example through food.

What are antioxidants and where do they occur?

Antioxidants are substances that "capture" free radicals by releasing an electron from their outer shell, which pairs with the unpaired electron of the radical or absorbs the unpaired electron. In short: antioxidants neutralize free radicals. They are essential in many metabolic processes, repair cell damage and ensure balance in our body.

Antioxidants include:

Vitamin E (recognizable as tocopherol in the ingredients of a care product)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Trace elements (e.g. zinc, selenium..)
Carotenoids (this includes astaxanthin, beta-carotene, etc.)
Various omega fatty acids

Which foods contain a lot of antioxidants?

You can find a high content of antioxidants in these foods:

Carotenoids can be found in carrots, algae, tomatoes, watermelon
You can find vitamin C in broccoli, oranges, berries and red peppers
You can find vitamin E in spinach, kale, avocado and nuts
You can find good fatty acids in fish, oils and nuts

Do sunscreens increase the formation of free radicals?

The general answer to this question is a clear NO . On the contrary: As explained above, UV rays can cause the formation of free radicals. If you continuously protect your skin from UV rays with sunscreen, you reduce the likelihood that UV rays will cause the formation of free radicals.

However, mineral UV filters, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, contain one or two oxygen molecules, as the name suggests. In 2012, a study* was published on zinc oxide, the mineral filter we use for our sun creams, which demonstrated an increased photocatalytic effect of nano-zinc oxide in combination with UV rays in laboratory experiments. It is important to note that these are in-vitro (i.e. in a test tube) studies that could not be confirmed in-vivo (i.e. in humans). As already mentioned, the human body has many of its own mechanisms for dealing with the formation of free radicals and these cannot easily be simulated in a test tube. In addition, zinc is an antioxidant per se.

Does coating the zinc oxide help prevent the formation of free radicals?

This claim has not yet been fully proven, as uncoated zinc oxide is mainly used in cosmetics. Uncoated zinc oxide is known for its good skin compatibility, even for sensitive skin types. It is used as a UV filter and is also considered safe for use in children, as it remains on the surface of the skin without being absorbed. Our zinc oxide filter is also uncoated and offers high broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Summary:

The formation of free radicals is a natural process that can occur in many chemical reactions.
The body uses the formation of free radicals to defend itself against pathogens or to induce controlled cell death.
Antioxidants produced by the body or obtained through food can “capture” free radicals and thus neutralize them.
Smoking, air pollution and UV rays can lead to an increased absorption or formation of free radicals and should therefore be avoided.
Sunscreen protects the body from UV radiation and thus also from the formation of free radicals.
A connection between the mineral UV filter zinc oxide and the increased occurrence of free radicals under UV radiation has not yet been confirmed in humans.