Now that the temperatures are rising and summer has begun in this side of the world, more and more people are taking extra measures to care for their skin.
And every summer, one of the most effective way to combat the summer sun is by applying sunscreen.
But if you and your partner are trying to conceive, read the label of your sunscreen before you slather it all over your body.
According to new Danish research, a common ingredient in sunscreens may be messing with your husband’s sperm.
“While the purpose of chemical UV filters is to reduce the amount of the sun's rays getting through your skin by absorbing UV, some of the filters are absorbed through the skin when you rub on the lotion,” a Parents article said.
Testing 29 of the 31 UV filters allowed in sunscreens in the U.S. and Europe on healthy human sperm cells, researchers found almost half of the filters tested induced calcium ion influxes in the sperm cells, which can stop them from effectively fertilizing an egg.
Nine out of the 29 also reacted to the sperm cells in a similar fashion as progesterone, which prevents the cells from functioning as they should.
“This effect began at very low doses of the chemicals, below the levels of some UV filters found in people after whole-body application of sunscreens,” said the study's senior investigator Niels Skakkebaek, M.D.
“These results are of concern and might explain in part why unexplained infertility is so prevalent.”
While there hasn’t been yet a definitive clinical study conducted to find out the relationship between UV filters and human fertility, Dr. Skakkebaek suggests studying the label of the products you use on your skin.
Particularly, steer clear of these ingredients found in sunscreen-containing products like makeup, moisturizers, and lip balms:
- avobenzone
- homosalate
- meradimate octisalate (also known as octyl salicylate)
- octinoxate (or octyl methoxycinnamate)
- octocrylene
- oxybenzone (also called benzophenone-3 or BP-3)
- padimate O
Instead, use mineral sunscreens like Mama's Choice Daily Protection Face Moisturizer ($12.90), which also come with the added benefit of keeping your facial skin smooth and glowing!
If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them with us!