Sunscreen & Children: What does the New Homosalate Study Actually Mean?

You may have seen headlines this week claiming that “ sunscreen chemicals have been found at alarming levels in children’s urine.” Understandably, this can sound frightening particularly when it comes to protecting our children. But what did the study actually find, and does it mean sunscreen is harming children?

The short answer: not necessarily

What is Homosalate?

Homosalate is an organic (chemical) UV filter used in some sunscreens and other cosmetic products. It primarily helps absorb UVB radiation, which is responsible for sunburn and contributes to DNA damage and skin cancer.

Because sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed into the skin, researchers have been studying how much homosalate enters the body and whether this exposure could have any health implications.

What did the study find?

Researchers analysed stored urine samples from Australians collected between 2012 and 2023, predominantly from Queensland.

They detected breakdown products of homosalate, a chemical UV filter used in some sunscreens.

Interestingly, the levels detected were higher in children than adults.

This tells us that children were exposed to homosalate - but detection of a chemical does not automatically mean harm has occurred.

What about the headline saying 80% of Queensland children exceeded the safety limit?

This is where the study needs some important context.

The researchers did not test 100 individual children’s urine samples and find that 80% of children exceeded a safety limit.

Instead, urine samples were pooled together and analyzed as combined samples.

In other words:

100 urine samples, mixed together, tested as one pool sample

Of these pooled children’s samples, 80% were above one German bio monitoring guidance level, while 53% were above a higher guidance level.

That is very different from saying that 80% of Queensland children individually exceeded a safety limit.

So what does being above a “guidance level” actually mean?

Biomonitoring guidance values are tools used by scientists and regulators to help identify whether exposure levels may warrant further investigation or reduction.

Being above a guidance value does not mean a child:

- Has experienced hormone disruption

- Has impaired fertility

- Has kidney damage

- Has suffered toxic harm

The study measured exposure, it did not measure whether the children experienced health effects as a result.

So, is homosalate completely harmless?

We can’t say that either.

Laboratory and animal research has raised questions about potential endocrine and reproductive effects associated with homosalate.

These findings represent a safety signal that deserves continued investigation.

However, there is currently no demonstrated evidence that sunscreen use causes these health effects in humans.

This distinction is important.

What are regulators saying?

Homosalate has already undergone safety assessments prior to this study.

European regulators have described the evidence surrounding potential endocrine effects in humans as inconclusive/equivocal, while also restricting how homosalate can also be used in cosmetic products.

In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) finalized it’s safety review of homosalate in July 2025 and recommended tighter limits to increase the safety margin of products containing it.

These are precautionary regulatory measures - they should be interpreted as evidence that sunscreen has already been shown to cause harm.

So should we be concerned?

Concerned enough to keep investigating but not frightened enough to stop protecting our skin from UV.

Good science shouldn’t leave us terrified.

It should leave us better informed.

We know that UV exposure is a major contributor to skin cancer, DNA damage and premature skin ageing, so effective sun protection remains an important part of protecting children’s skin.

If you’re concerned about homosalate specifically, you can choose a homosalate-free sunscreen.

You can also look for sunscreens containing mineral UV filters such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide if you prefer to avoid certain chemical filters.

The takeaway

This study provides useful information about exposure to homosalate and raises questions that warrant further research.

But it does not demonstrate that sunscreen is poisoning children.

What about the sunscreens we stock?

We understand that you may have questions about the ingredients in your sunscreen, particularly in light of this recent research.

We can reassure that neither our Elta MD range or La Roche Posay sunscreens we currently stock contain any homosalates.

You don’t have to choose between taking emerging research seriously and protecting your children from UV.

You can do both.

Our team will continue to follow the evidence as new research emerges and translate it into practical, evidence based guidance for your skin and your family.

If you have questions about choosing the right sunscreen for your family or skin type, our expert team is here to help.

Email: reception@theskincompany.co.nz or call 09 2004535