This study is the work of Dr Allan Conney and researchers of Rutger University’s Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research. They exposed specially bred albino mice to UV radiation twice a week for 20 weeks to examine the development of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas, or non-melanoma skin cancers. Then a portion of the mice were treated with over-the-counter moisturizers, such as Eucerin, Dermabase, Dermovan and Vanicream.
What they found was that mice treated with the moisturizers had increased tumors, and larger tumors, which developed at a faster rate than mice that were not treated with moisturizers. After further research, they concluded that Mineral Oil and Sodium Lauryl Suphate may have caused the increase in skin cancer tumors.
However, these studies were performed on mice only. Drugs that have caused a certain reaction in animals do not always have similar effects in humans. Further, more research must be done to verify these results and its effect on human skin.
To help prevent skin cancer in the first place, always remember to practice good sun protection, like wearing a wide-brim hat and long sleeves, and using sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, and look for products containing physical sunscreens, such as Titanium Dioxide.
Note: No kaplanMD Skincare Product or kaplanMD LIP 20 lip treatment contains either mineral oil or sodium lauryl sulphate.
Dr. Stuart Kaplan has been in private practice in Beverly Hills for over 22 years, and also serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA Medical Center for over 20 years.
kaplanMD Skincare Products Day Cream SPF 15 About Dr. Kaplan LIP 20 Anti-Aging LIP Treatment
Thank you so much for the clarification Dr. Kaplan! I first saw this in Businessweek and I was so worried. The articles online were also sort of hard to understand. Or perhaps I was just alarmed and only remembered “skin cancer” and “moisturizer!” It is a relief to hear from a skin expert that it is really 2 ingredients I should avoid. After reading the Business Week article, I immediately stopped putting lotion on my newborn baby and 2 year old! I feel so much better that I have all the facts, and know what to look for when I shop. Thank you again!! You are terrific Dr. Kaplan!
I just had to say thank you! After I read this I went through my whole house and took all the sunscreen and moisturizers that had those ingredients and threw them right out. Thanks so much Dr. Kaplan
Very informative, and easy to understand. I usually don’t post comments to blogs, but this one was exceptional.
Dr. Kaplan - this is so well written and informative. I’m totally hooked! I already sent this post to all my friends. It is sunny here in LA almost all year round so we not only have to cautious of sun overexposure, but sunscreens that have mineral oil and sulphates!
Nice site! You’ve made it easy to read and understand. These reports are so hard to understand sometimes, and seem to have contradictory points of view, so thank you Dr. Kaplan for pointing out just the facts we should concern ourselves with!
Dr. Kaplan I am in LOVE LOVE with your skincare products! I’ve been using them for a little over two weeks and my skin looks AMAZING! I have been getting so many compliments and I wanted to thank you so much. My husband loves the way it smells, since it’s not all perfumy and sticky, so it’s an added bonus. I especially love the Day Cream, since I have been reading up on the different sunscreens and found that yours is the only one that has 4.7% titanium dioxide! And now that I know it doesn’t have stuff that increases risk of cancer…well, my freckles are thanking you.
On the subject of cancer, has anyone heard of Prabens? Apparently, the shelves are littered with acne treatments that contain these potentially harmful preservatives.
I even heard on http://campusacnetruth.org/html/acne_treatments.html that they have been linked to certain types of cancer.
Read those ingredients labels!
Jesse,
I’ve known about parabens for a very long time. I’ve made sure not to buy any products that could contain them for years now. I have a teenage daughter and I made a point to discuss with her why it’s important to read the ingredients labels when purchasing skin-care products, make-up, and especially acne treatment products.
While I know of the potential dangers of parabens, many do not.
Many do not know that parabens have been banned from European markets.
Many do not know that parabens have been linked to breast cancer.
Here is a link for an enlightening video on the Cornell University website that refers to parabens as “environmental estrogens” because they cause breast tissue cells to divide, thus increasing the likelihood of a mutation.
This is a really great post today!