Sunscreen with Vitamin A

When traveling in the hot sun, we are often advised to apply sunscreen on the facial area. Basically, sunscreen are topical products that protect the skin from the dangers of exposure to sunlight. Sunscreen comes in a lotion form that is usually applied before going out in the hot sun. During hot summer days, people are at a great risk of suffering from skin problems such as sunburn and other skin problems caused due to the harmful UV rays. A simple way to keep the skin away from the damaging effects of the sun is to use sunscreen. Vitamin A is sometimes an active sunscreen ingredient, and in this article we shall see if it benefits or causes harm to the skin.

Sunscreen and Vitamin A
Derivatives of vitamin A are commonly prescribed to get rid of skin problems such as acne. Vitamin A application is an effective remedy to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. In fact, vitamin A is one of the most essential nutrients for a healthy skin. Of the many sunscreen ingredients, vitamin A is also an important part of this topical product, and manufactures claim that this addition of vitamin A can benefit the skin in the long run. However, recent studies conducted by FDA contradicts these claims.

Vitamin A added in sunscreen is in the form of retinyl palmitate. According to latest research, 30 - 40% sunscreen lotions contain retinyl palmitate. It is a vitamin A compound and its inclusion is supposed to provide anti-aging effects on the skin. However, this compound could actually predispose the person to skin tumors. This conclusion is largely based on animal studies in which mice were applied lotions that contained approximately 0.5% of retinyl palmitate. Another group of mice were treated with cream that was devoid of retinyl palmitate. The outcome of the study that was observed after a year is a cause for great concern. Approximately 20% of mice that were exposed to retinyl palmitate creams started showing symptoms of skin tumors before the mice that were treated with sunscreen free from vitamin A. One can say that sunscreen containing vitamin A might promote growth of malignant skin lesions.

This study clearly hints the serious side effects of using such type of sunscreen. An important point to note is that the outcome documented from the research is limited to animals only. Also, the sunscreen was applied in large amounts during the study, which might be responsible for skin cancer development in mice. However, the study does point out that same effect may be seen in humans. So, serious thought has to be given whether use of sunscreen with vitamin A will be a good option, health wise.

Another study revealed that although vitamin A is good for the skin, it behaves differently when it comes in contact with sunlight. Exposure to sunlight reveals the 'darker side' of vitamin A. In other words, when vitamin A added to this chemical agent (sunscreen) and exposed to sunlight the result isn't beneficial to the skin. According to research, metabolism of vitamin A takes place when it is exposed to sunlight. Unfortunately vitamin A metabolizes into free radicals, substances that cause cellular damage and trigger the onset of age related disorders. So, using a sunscreen that contains retinyl palmitate in the hot sun is likely to give rise to free radicals on the superficial skin. This study points out yet another disadvantage of using such type of sunscreen. Vitamin A breaking into free radicals on sun exposed skin is definitely unacceptable, thereby putting a question mark on the benefits of using sunscreens with vitamin A.

Best Sunscreens
Keep in mind applying sunscreen during summer days is important to shield the skin against the harmful UV rays of the sun. To be on the safer side, why not use a sunscreen without vitamin A. Sunscreens that have constituents like titanium oxide or zinc oxide are a better alternative than those containing vitamin A. Just make sure to read the ingredients that are printed on the label. Around 60% of sunscreens available in the United States do not have vitamin A and so buying such a cosmetic product not only helps to block UV rays but will ensure a youthful skin as well.

It is important to note that people with skin conditions like acne and eczema are advised not to use sunscreens. This is because it is likely to cause skin irritation and aggravate the discomfort. Also, the cracked skin in eczema will allow the ingredients of the sunscreen to penetrate deep within the skin, which can be harmful. So, it is better to talk to a dermatologist before using any cosmetic product for skin problems.

Though in the summer time it is advisable to use skin care products like sunscreen, Vitamin A free sunscreens are the ones you have to hunt for. The ill effects of sunscreens with vitamin A have not been proven on humans as yet, but it is better to take no risks when it comes to health.