What happens when you use fake sunscreen?

On November 5, Nguyen Quoc Vu, Doan Di Bang’s husband, and two others were arrested for allegedly producing 1,652 fake Hanayuki Sunscreen Body sunscreen products. According to the appraisal conclusion of the Institute of Forensic Sciences in Ho Chi Minh City, the product’s SPF sun protection index is 25.82, reaching 51.64% compared to the SPF 50 index listed on the packaging.

Doctor Nguyen Tien Thanh, Vietnam Dermatology Association, said sunscreens do not contain enough or the right sunscreen active ingredients, and incorrectly declare the SPF/PA index, causing users to misunderstand the protective effectiveness. As a result, when used, UV rays still penetrate the skin, causing serious damage.

There are two types of dangerous UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays, also known as long-wavelength light rays, account for about 95% of the UV rays that reach the skin. Both UVA and UVB are harmful to the skin, but UVA rays are more of a threat because most of them reach the ground.

One of the most common harmful effects is acute sunburn, causing redness, burning, and blistering of the skin after a few dozen minutes of sun exposure. The skin also experiences irritation, acne, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation because UVA penetrates deep into the dermis, stimulating pigment-producing cells to increase melanin. UVA increases enzymes that destroy collagen and elastin, causing skin to wrinkle and prematurely sag. In particular, UVB rays can cause gene mutations, while UVA creates free radicals that attack DNA, increasing the risk of carcinoma or melanoma – the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

In addition, some floating, counterfeit or hand-carried sunscreens of unknown origin may be mixed with toxic impurities such as high concentrations of parabens, banned fragrances, industrial alcohol, affecting the skin in particular and health in general.

In fact, sunscreen is an important “shield” that protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Using fake or poor quality products, users not only lose money but also face the risk of acute sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer.

Qualified sunscreen must contain active ingredients that protect the skin. In particular, active chemicals such as avobenzone, octocrylene, Tinosorb S/M help absorb UV rays. Physical active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide reflect and disperse UV rays from the skin.

To distinguish between real and fake sunscreen with the naked eye is almost impossible. Counterfeit products today are very sophisticated, from packaging, color to scent. Even specialized doctors need to test for spectroscopic analysis, quantify SPF/PA or send samples to a laboratory for evaluation.

Doctor Thanh has received many cases of burned skin after using sunscreen. A typical case is a 19-year-old girl who used a sunscreen purchased online with a sun protection index on the packaging of SPF 70 advertised as “super sun protection”. After three days of use, the girl’s face burned, her skin peeled, and her cheeks became dark, especially in the cheekbones and forehead.

The doctor found that the patient showed signs of acute skin damage such as redness, itching, swelling and burning in the areas where the cream was applied. This is a typical sign of an allergic reaction to the ingredients in the cream and a condition where the skin is not protected from UV rays. The result is sunburned, scorched skin and increased pigmentation on the forehead and cheeks.

According to the doctor’s assessment, the product the patient used was likely of poor quality and did not provide sun protection as advertised. The SPF 70 index usually only appears in specialized treatment product lines that have undergone rigorous testing and are used in environments with extremely strong UV radiation.

Theo The National Newsfake cosmetics in general and fake sunscreen in particular are not tested in the laboratory, have no effectiveness research, and easily cause allergies or severe inflammation. People who use fake mascara and eye shadow are susceptible to eye infections. Fake sunscreen makes skin vulnerable, increasing the risk of sunburn and skin cancer due to not protecting against ultraviolet rays.

Toxic ingredients such as mercury and hydroquinone can destroy the skin’s protective barrier, causing lasting irritation, allergies and many long-term problems. Any product applied to the skin can penetrate the bloodstream, negatively affecting reproduction, endocrine, health and the environment.

To effectively protect the skin, users need to pay attention to prioritizing reputable brands that have been announced for circulation by the Ministry of Health, choose products with transparent clinical research, and clear SPF test results published. Consumers buy goods from genuine distribution systems, not using hand-carried goods. For skin after laser, peel, or microneedling, you need to choose sunscreen specifically for sensitive skin, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free.

Dr. Thanh recommends choosing SPF/PA appropriate for each activity, specifically:

Dosage 1-1.25 ml for face and neck (2 mg/cm² of skin)

When to apply: 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun.

Reapply frequency: Every 2-3 hours if active outdoors, sweating, swimming; Every 4-6 hours if working indoors.

“Become a smart consumer, especially in the current context of fake cosmetics being widespread,” the doctor said.