Two sunscreens for children would lie about their protection factor: according to what was denounced by the Spanish consumer association OCU, two commercial products have declared a screen level from solar radiation higher than true: 50+ against 30 and even 15 real. But the companies contest the allegations.
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Two sunscreens for children would lie about their protection factor: according to what was denounced by the Spanish consumer association OCU, two commercial products have declared a screen level from solar radiation higher than true: 50+ against 30 and even 15 real. But the companies contest the allegations.
The association has carried out laboratory tests to verify the protection factors of two sun creams for children, with results that are perplexing: Baby Babia Protector Spray SPF 50+, despite the label, it would offer a protection of 30, therefore "high", but not "very high" as declared, while ISDIN Fotoprotector Pediatrics Transparent Spray SPF 50+ it would even be in the medium protection range, with a factor of 15.
But that's the truth? The tests conducted by OCU seem to leave no room for doubt. The association carried out acomparative analysis between different sun creams developed specifically to demonstrate the real protection factor, and focused its efforts in particular on 17 products for children with very high sun protection factor (SPF 50+) and in spray format.
According to what was declared by the OCU, the creams were subjected to two laboratory tests following European standards: on the one hand, a test for the calculation of the SPF (protection against UVB) in vivo under standard controlled conditions and, on the other, one in vitro to measure the penetration of UVA through a layer of cream of a certain thickness.
Results that worry: of the 17 creams analyzed, two of them show a protection factor against UVB rays lower than that announced. The first case, the most serious, is that of the ISDIN Pediatrics Transparent Spray SPF 50+ light-curing cream, which offers only "medium" (15) and not "very high" protection, as indicated on the label, while Babaria Infantil Spray Protector SPF 50+ should be labeled with SPF 30, as it only offers high protection.
The OCU therefore asks for the withdrawal from the market of these two products. But the companies are not there and are fighting back.
The ISDIN, in particular, replied by sending 5 studies carried out by independent institutes prior to the OCU analyzes, which would demonstrate the exact opposite.
In reference to the OCU publication on sunscreens, we attach our official statement that shows in detail the safety of ISDIN products: https://t.co/j7b1mx6dpw
— ISDIN (@ISDIN_Official) 30 maggio 2019
As reported by the company's official press release, two independent studies conclude that the product has an SPF 50+ in accordance with ISO 24444: 2010, one conducted between September and October 2015 (SPF of 64,4) and one between March and April 2017 with a result of 64,8. In addition, three other studies on UVA would confirm the label.
"The consumer can be sure that the claims appearing in the product package are supported by independent studies conducted by tier one certification bodies - the company writes- On the other hand, since the launch of the product in 2015, there have been no complaints from people referring to the lack of safety or efficacy of the product that could lead to suspicion of a protection factor other than the one declared ".
But there is more. "Also, despite being requested by ISDIN, the OCU did not provide a copy of the study in which an SPF and a UVA-PF were presumably lower than those indicated on the label, so ISDIN was unable to verify the methodology , neither the execution nor the consistency of the results of this study ".
The FEFAC, the federation of associations of pharmacies in Catalonia, also intervenes on this point, which underlines the lack of transparency of the OCU, in the face of the traceable analyzes of the ISDIN.
"FEFAC believes that this lack of rigor of the OCU demonstrates that the most likely goal is to make media noise with unknown interests, aimed at discredit a health service, like the pharmacy, in this case on products that it offers and recommends, when instead the level of citizens' satisfaction with the pharmacy is higher given its proximity and professionalism " thunders the federation.
In the meantime, the OCU has sent the test results to the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products and asked to carry out the necessary checks on these products, but also the withdrawal from the market due to the potential risk of their use for the health of consumers. , in particular that of the ISDIN company, whose discrepancy would be more serious.
Study 17 SPF 50+ sunscreens carried out in an independent and approved European laboratory. @izverniceanu answers the criticism generated by the results of ISDIN Fotoprotector Pediatrics Transparent Spray and Babaria Infantil Spray Protector https://t.co/7FE7oDYZqc pic.twitter.com/PB8NnXiMch
- OCU (@consumidores) May 31, 2019
Protecting the skin from solar radiation is important to avoid acute damage as well as long-term problems (UV rays have now been shown to increase the likelihood of skin cancers forming).
Unfortunately, however, it is not the first time that doubts have arisen about the composition of commercial products, in some cases potentially harmful to marine ecosystems, leading Hawaii, for example, to ban some of them, accused of damaging the corals.
Like all "human" preparations, there is often the flip side of the coin, and it is rather difficult to avoid any side effect, so you choose, in the best of cases, the lesser evil.
Here, however, gods rise doubts of fraud, which makes the story take on very different connotations. For this Belgium, in the name of precautionary principle, has already withdrawn the products from the market. However, there is certainly nothing yet, because the results of the final study, which will be conducted by the competent authorities, are not yet available.
More information on the results of the OCU study is available at this link.
Read also:
- 10 organic solar products with a good Inci
- Sun creams: are the ingredients really safe for health? Not so much for the FDA!
