A survey and analysis of the presence of allergens in sunscreens in the United States

Summary: Abstract Body: Sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists to prevent actinic damage and skin malignancies, whose incidence is steadily rising. However, sunscreen can cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). This study evaluates the presence of North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) core allergens in sunscreens available in the United States. “Sunscreen” was searched on Amazon, Target, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart. The top 40 products from each site were included with manufacturer websites consulted for ingredient lists as needed. Product characteristics, including chemical/physical blocker, tinted/non-tinted, SPF, cost, and marketing claims were recorded. The most common allergens were fragrance (53.5%), phenoxyethanol (44.5%), ethylhexylglycerin (29.5%), propylene glycol (18%), and methacrylate (17%). Tinted sunscreens had fewer allergens (35.3%) than non-tinted sunscreens (64.6%). Allergen prevalence in chemical and physical 26.2%. Tinted or combination sunscreens had fewer allergens, and can generally be recommended more c sunscreens was similar at 64.5% and 65.9%, respectively, but combination was lower at 26.7%. Market claims of “gentle” (66.7%), “dermatologist recommended” (55.9%), and “allergen-free/hypoallergenic/allergy tested” (52.9%) had the highest allergen prevalence, while “sensitive skin” products had the lowest at onfidently. However, claims such as “gentle”, “dermatologist recommended”, and “allergen free” are not FDA regulated and may mislead patients, with allergen rates ranging from 52.9-66.7%. “Sensitive skin” labels are more likely to be trustworthy, but should still be scrutinized. As skin cancer incidence rises, dermatologists play a crucial role in eliminating barriers to sun safety. By recommending less allergenic sunscreens, dermatologists can improve compliance, reduce hypersensitivity reactions, and ultimately prevent skin malignancies. Colby Presley⁴, Andrew B. Fay¹, Chandler W. Rundle², Christopher Stamey³ 1. Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States. 2. University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, United States. 3. Dermatology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States. 4. Dermatology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA, United States. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research