The beauty and skincare industry is frequently abuzz with debates surrounding ingredient safety, and few topics generate as much contention as the potential risks of widely used compounds. A persistent myth alleging that retinyl palmitate, a common form of Vitamin A, increases the risk of skin cancer when included in sunscreens has resurfaced, fueled by prominent "clean beauty" organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and influential online personalities. This claim gained renewed traction following a video by toxicologist Dr. Yvonne Burkart, titled “You’ve been lied to about sunscreen: Toxicologist reveals 6 things you should know about sunscreen,” which placed retinyl palmitate at the forefront of ingredients consumers should purportedly avoid. However, a detailed counter-analysis by a team of experienced toxicologists and cosmetic safety assessors, including Dr. Michelle Wong of Lab Muffin Beauty Science and Mohammed Kanadil of MoSkinLab, alongside peer review from Dr. Norbert Kaminski and Dr. Lyle Burgoon, rigorously debunks these assertions, affirming the ingredient’s safety based on comprehensive scientific assessments by leading regulatory bodies.
The Allegations Unpacked: Retinyl Palmitate and Skin Cancer Claims
The central claim posited by critics of retinyl palmitate in sunscreens is that this derivative of Vitamin A, despite its widespread use and purported anti-aging benefits, transforms into a hazardous compound when exposed to sunlight. Dr. Burkart, in her widely viewed video, articulated this concern directly: "Some [sunscreen] ingredients can actually promote skin cancer. This one is really shocking because that’s the exact opposite of what sunscreen is supposed to do. Retinyl palmitate is a synthetic form of vitamin A that’s often added to sunscreens for its so-called anti-aging benefit. You’ll see it often promoted as helping to reduce wrinkles or even to improve the texture of your skin."
