OTTAWA,
ON, July 19, 2024 /CNW/ -
Summary
Issue: Homemade sunscreens
What to do: Do not use homemade sunscreen. Use only
sunscreens approved for sale in Canada to protect against the sun's UV rays.
Consumers can identify approved sunscreens by their Drug
Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN).
Who this is for: Public
Issue
Homemade sunscreen recipes are becoming increasingly common on
social media and Health Canada is warning the public about the
potential risks of making and using homemade them.
Making and using homemade sunscreen products presents risks, as
they are unlikely to be effective at protecting you from the sun's
harmful UV rays.
Health Canada recommends
using only authorized sunscreen products. All sunscreens
approved for sale in Canada must
have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number
(NPN). This means Health Canada has determined that the benefits of
using the product outweigh the potential risks, when used as
directed.
In addition to homemade sunscreen, Health Canada is aware that
there are myths and misinformation circulating on social media
about the safety of sunscreens, claiming that their ingredients are
harmful to the skin and can cause cancer. All authorized sunscreens
on the market are safe when used as directed.
Exposure to the sun without adequate protection is the leading
cause of skin cancer. Sunscreens provide significant health
benefits. When used with other sun protection measures such as
wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding peak sun
hours, they reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, protect
people from sunburn and protect against premature aging of the
skin.
In 2018, Health Canada carried out a safety review to
assess the risk of skin reactions with sunscreen products. Health
Canada found no new safety
concerns. Rare mild to moderate skin reactions may develop in
individuals with an allergy or sensitivity to one or more
ingredients in sunscreen products; however, the benefits of
sunscreen to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer
continue to greatly outweigh any risk of local skin reactions.
More information on sunscreens is available on Health Canada's
website.
Également disponible en français
SOURCE Health Canada (HC)