The combined effect of physical and chemical sunscreen is weakened

Science and Technology Daily News (Reporter Zhang Mengran) According to a recent study published in the journal "Photochemistry and Photobiology", the combination of a safe chemical sunscreen mixture with zinc oxide commonly used in mixed sunscreens may cause UV protection is reduced

Researchers from the University of Oregon in the United States and the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom have produced five different SPF15 chemical sunscreen blends, which contain small-molecule UV filters approved for use in the European Union and the United States

The research team conducted further tests on one of the most representative sunscreen formulations commonly used in the European Union and the United States, and added 6% zinc oxide-this mineral is often paired with small-molecule UV absorbers and appears in A combination of physical and chemical sunscreens

The researcher said: "We still recommend that consumers use sunscreen, but we recommend that they should pay attention to avoid mixing sunscreen with zinc oxide, whether it is deliberately mixed with a physical and chemical combination of sunscreen, or accidentally due to the use of other zinc oxide-containing products.

However, the researchers emphasized that they cannot exactly replicate commercial sunscreens because they cannot obtain information on additives, fragrances, and precise amounts of ingredients, so the mixing effect of these ingredients is unknown