Lacura Moisturising Sun Spray contains approved ingredient and is not carcinogenic

Lacura, a private-label brand owned by Aldi is an over-the-counter moisturising sun spray designed to provide protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Recently, consumers have raised their concern over the use of some chemicals as ingredients. 

Social media claims suggest that Lacura sun spray contains harmful ingredients like Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Alcohol denat., Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane etc.are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptor.

However, Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. All the ingredients in the Lacura Sun Spray are approved by regulatory bodies.

Facebook | Archive

Fact Check- 

Let’s check the safety of each ingredient one by one.

Octocrylene: 

The National Institutes of Health states that octocrylene is a common ingredient in sunscreens and is generally safe for use on the skin. It is widely used and approved by both the FDA and the European Union. However, in rare cases, it can cause allergic skin reactions, especially in children. Researchers are still studying whether it might affect Vitamin D production.

Another report says, Octocrylene in sunscreen blocks UVB rays. It helps in keeping Avobenzone stable. Without octocrylene, avobenzone breaks down quickly (within 1 hour in the sun), which makes sunscreen less effective.

According to Medical News Today, octocrylene helps protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays and also makes sunscreen stable and water-resistant. The FDA and the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) say it is safe to use in amounts up to 10%. However, some people, especially those who have had allergies to certain medicines, have experienced skin reactions like photo-contact dermatitis. Animal studies suggest it might affect hormones, but there is no strong evidence in humans yet. Researchers have also found that octocrylene can break down into benzophenone, which could cause health concerns, but more research is needed.

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane:

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, also known as Avobenzone, blocks UVA rays even when a small amount is used in sunscreen. Its primary drawback is that its UV protective capability diminishes quickly and significantly due to photodegradation. 

It is allowed as an active ingredient in sunscreens in many places, but the approved amount varies. In the U.S., the FDA allows up to 3% of it when mixed with other sunscreen ingredients. The European Union and Canada recommend up to 5%. In Asia and South Africa, the approved amount is also up to 5%. Japan allows a higher limit of up to 10% in products.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel reviewed the safety of butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane along with other similar ingredients like Oxybenzone. It is approved for use in over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreens.

A report says that avobenzone is the only sunscreen ingredient approved by the FDA that mainly blocks UVA-1 rays. It covers a broad range of UVA rays but breaks down quickly in sunlight. To prevent this, it’s usually combined with other ingredients like octocrylene and oxybenzone. Research shows that mixing avobenzone with octocrylene provides strong UVA protection

Ethylhexyl salicylate:

Ethylhexyl salicylate, also known as octisalate, is an organic compound used in cosmetics, primarily in sunscreens, as a UV-B filter to protect the skin from sunburn and premature aging.

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Expert Panel) has reviewed ethylhexyl salicylate on several occasions. In 2003, the Expert Panel evaluated available scientific data and concluded that salicylic acid and 16 other salicylates, including ethylhexyl salicylate, are safe when formulated to avoid skin irritation and increase the skin’s sun sensitivity.

In 2019 also, the Expert Panel concluded that salicylic acid and other salicylates, including ethylhexyl salicylate, are safe as used when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has checked the safety of Ethylhexyl salicylate and approved it as an active ingredient in sunscreens. In February 2019, the FDA asked for more data on some sunscreen ingredients having Ethylhexyl salicylate. These ingredients are approved worldwide and have been used in U.S. products for many years. The FDA confirmed in September 2021 that sunscreens with these ingredients are safe and will stay on the market.

Alcohol Denat:

Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol or just alcohol, is the same type of alcohol found in drinks. To avoid paying beverage taxes on alcohol used in cosmetics and personal care products, it must be “denatured.” This means a small amount of another substance is added to make it taste bad, so it cannot be consumed. 

It is used in many personal care product types including makeup, lotions, fragrance, shaving, oral care, skin care, and hair care products where it functions as an antifoaming agent, cosmetic astringent, solvent, and viscosity decreasing agent.

In 2008, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel checked the safety of alcohol denaturants like Denatonium Benzoate, t-Butyl Alcohol, Diethyl Phthalate, and Methyl Alcohol. They found these ingredients safe at the levels currently used. Because of this, SD Alcohols (3-A, 30, 39-B, 39-C, 40-B, and 40-C), which use these denaturants, were also considered safe in cosmetic products.

Conclusion: 

Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. None of the ingredients in Lacura moisturising sun spray mentioned in the post are declared unsafe. All the ingredients are safe and approved for use.