The claim
Some sunscreen and sunblock makers claim their products contain no ultrasmall nanoparticles.
The check
Tests we commissioned from an outside lab found nano-size ingredients in four of five purportedly nano-free products we bought
between December 2007 and January 2008. They had nanoparticles of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (or both). Those compounds
help protect against ultraviolet radiation that can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and wrinkles. The maker of the sixth product
tested never claimed it didn't have nano.
Bottom line
The risks these nanoparticles might pose and how they compare with the risks of other sunscreen ingredients remain unestablished.
Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, thinks the FDA should require safety testing for nano-size ingredients and labeling that discloses their presence.
| Product | Nano claim | Our findings |
|---|---|---|
| Aubrey Organics Natural Sun SPF 25 Green Tea Protective Sunscreen | No. A company representative said the titanium dioxide is not in nano form. | Yes |
| Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen | No. A customer service representative said the product has micronized zinc that sits on the skin and is not absorbed. | Yes |
| California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen | Yes. In its raw form the titanium dioxide is nano, but it is coated with waxes so that it does not enter the skin, a company representative said. | Yes |
| Kiss My Face SPF 30+ Sun Screen | No. The product does not contain nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, a customer service representative said. | Yes |
| Mexitan SPF 30 Sunscreen | No. The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide used are not nanoparticles, according to a customer service representative. | Yes |
| Zinka Colored Nosecoat* | No. The product contains no nano, a customer service representative said. | No |
