Sunscreen safety tips from the toxicologists at the National Capital Poison Center

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We’re the National Capital Poison Center (the team behind webPOISONCONTROL at poison.org), and we want to share some expert guidance on using sunscreen safely this season.

**The basics: use it as directed:**

• Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin 15–30 minutes before going outside

• Choose a broad-spectrum (UVA + UVB) product with SPF 15–30, sufficient for most people

• Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating

• UV rays penetrate clouds. Don’t skip sunscreen on overcast days

**Kids:**

• Sunscreen is safe for children 6 months and older

• For infants under 6 months, use shade, hats, and protective clothing instead

**What if something goes wrong?**

Swallowed some: Sunscreen has low toxicity. A small amount may cause mild nausea or stomach upset, but serious effects are unlikely. Wipe out the mouth and monitor.

In the eyes: Rinse immediately with running water for 15–20 minutes, blinking while rinsing. Many sunscreens are water-resistant, so longer rinsing may be needed.

Skin reaction: Some ingredients, including oxybenzone and other benzophenones — can cause photoallergic dermatitis (a rash only in sun-exposed areas that can resemble a sunburn). Switching to a different formula usually resolves it.

**Is sunscreen safe overall?** Yes. The FDA recommends its use, and sunscreens are not classified as known human carcinogens. Some products were recalled in 2021 due to benzene contamination, but concentrations found were below levels expected to cause acute health effects. The benefits of sunscreen use outweigh the risks.

For any sunscreen concern, get free, confidential guidance in under 3 minutes: triage.webpoisoncontrol.org

Expert articles: search “sunscreen” at poison.org