Sunscreen Safety: Some Lotions Contain Ingredients that Increase Your Risk for Skin Cancer

With temperatures rising and summer just around the corner, it's essential that you cover up with sunscreen. Studies show that protecting your skin from sun damage with the help of these lotions can prevent premature aging.

However, did you know that some sunscreens carry certain ingredients that can actually harm your skin? According to the 2013 Sunscreen Guide, some products may carry dangerous ingredients that could do more harm than good. Let's take a look.

The most common sunscreen additive found in various products is vitamin A. Researchers note that sunscreens containing this vitamin can actually speed the development of skin cancer. Though retinyl palmitate is an anti-oxidant that slows skin aging, federal studies potentially indicate that it may also speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to skin in the presence of sunlight, according to the guide.

Some sunscreen ingredients can actually disrupt hormones and cause skin allergies, too. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that you buy mineral sunscreens, most of which contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nano-particles.

It's also important to recognize that buying a sun prevention product with a higher SPF content may not necessarily provide more protection. For instance, high-SPF products require higher concentrations of sun-filtering chemicals than low-SPF sunscreens, which can pose health risks when they penetrate the skin and have even been linked to tissue damage and potential hormone disruption. 

"The majority of these companies that market sunscreen products, they try to make people more aware of the SPF," said Dr. Ariel Ostad, a clinical assitatnt professor  of dermatology at New York University Medical Center via CNN.  

Don't be fooled by certain products boasting extra protection. When in doubt, check the label.