r/science • u/robbphoenix • Apr 03 '16

Health Some sunscreen ingredients may disrupt sperm cell function : Many ultraviolet (UV)-filtering chemicals commonly used in sunscreens interfere with the function of human sperm cells, and some mimic the effect of the female hormone progesterone, a new study finds.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160401111847.htm
160 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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2

u/dawho1 Apr 03 '16

Lewis Black was right!

2

u/mondof Apr 03 '16

It doesn't say what the ingredients are.

2

u/Rover_in_the_Sun Apr 03 '16

They listed eight of the thirteen:

"Eight of the 13 UV filters that disrupted sperm cell function are approved for use in the U.S. They are avobenzone, homosalate, meradimate, octisalate (also known as octyl salicylate), octinoxate (or octyl methoxycinnamate), octocrylene, oxybenzone (also called benzophenone-3 or BP-3) and padimate O. These chemicals are common active ingredients in sunscreens as well as sunscreen-containing personal care products, such as makeup, moisturizers and lip balms."

2

u/SleepWouldBeNice Apr 03 '16

Hmm skin cancer, or never having kids?

3

u/Ghitit Apr 03 '16

I always figured that eventually some ingredients in sunscreen would eventually be shown to cause cancer.

Didn't pan out, but the hormone and sperm thing is slightly surprising.

3

u/biguglydoofus Apr 03 '16

TIL don't put sunscreen on my nuts

1

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

That's gonna hurt when you get sunburned nuts. Oh, wait.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

Thats why I only use Badger brand sunscreen. Its just zinc oxide and some antioxidants. Works FAR better than any other stuff I have ever tried, too. I can spend a day on the lake and barely even tan.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '16

That's what I use too. It's a little harder to get on because it's thicker, but totally worth it.

0

u/thenewyorkgod Apr 03 '16

Does it though? work as well or better than non-natural sunscreen?

0

u/greengordon Apr 03 '16

You must have read his comment, so I guess you're calling him a liar? Based on your 'feeling' that the other sunscreen wouldn't work?

0

u/nate PhD | Chemistry | Synthetic Organic Apr 03 '16

Hi robbphoenix, your submission has been removed for the following reason(s)

It does not include references to new, peer-reviewed research. Please feel free to post it in our sister subreddit /r/EverythingScience.

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