What it's about:
When the sun shines brightly, sunburn is often not far away. To prevent things from getting to that stage, it is recommended to avoid direct sunlight on the skin or to apply sunscreen products to the skin. They can protect the skin by converting the ultraviolet rays of the sun into heat. This occurs with the help of UV filter substances. UV filters which are used in cosmetic products must undergo an assessment procedure in the European Union, which evaluates whether their usage as UV filters in sunscreen products is safe up to a maximum concentration. We have put together some important questions and answers about the possible health risks of UV filters.
[Accordion] Sun cream and similar products - are there health risks?
The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment does scientific risk assessment. It is not allowed to and will not recommend any individual products. This is also the case for UV filters, which are combined in most sunscreen products anyway. Essentially: According to the current state of knowledge, no impairments to health are to be expected from sunscreen products which are available on the European market.
It should be noted that no sunscreen product provides full protection from UV radiation. The best protection comes from textile sun protection - clothing which covers the skin. Uncovered areas of the body should be covered with sunscreen products. This especially applies to children. Infants and young children aged up to two years old should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
The Federal Office for Radiation Protection also provides more tips about the correct protection against UV radiation on its website:
Further information on the subject from the BfR website:
- BfR FAQ on titanium dioxide dated 15 August 2017 (in German)
- Zinc oxide as a UV filter (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Opinion No. 037/2010 of 18 June 2010, in German)
- Further information on sunscreen from 17 July 2007 (in German)
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMELshort forGerman Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) in Germany. It advises the German federal government and federal states on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.
This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.