The Trilipid Research Institute [TRI] and its brand Trilipiderm are committed to skin cell science and have carefully selected, vetted and sourced all our ingredients, including our SPF. Our UVB filters, Octinoxate, Homosalate and Octocrylene and our UVA filter Avobenzone provide stable, long lasting non comedogenic protection. Our products are rated at 30 SPF, but actually tested much higher, and are long lasting and efficacious.
You may not be aware of the current controversy surrounding sunscreen "safety," both for human health and the environment, specifically for reef conservation. Trilipiderm has come under attack for both - being accused that our SPF is harmful or even dangerous. Some retailers are threatening to remove our products, while emotion-driven activists are demanding we change our formulations, all without properly vetted evidence.
We are partnering with renowned Dermatologists and Scientists on this issue. Dermatologist, Dr. Darrell Rigel and his associates on the review committee recently published an assessment of 96 clinical and environmental research papers. Dr. Rigel and team's recent article in the Journal Of Cutaneous Medicine has created quite a stir.
We stand by our science and have done both the SPF research and due diligence, as we have with all of our ingredients. If we thought for one moment that we would be harmful to humans or marine life, we would act immediately.
A brief word about protecting your skin. First, shade, stylish wide brimmed hats and sunglasses are a must. We also believe that daily sunscreen properly applied will help limit the harmful effects of the sun's rays. This has been true since the Slip, Slap, Slop campaigns for sunscreen in 1981 back in my home of Australia. Cover up, sit in the shade, apply and reapply sunscreen as directed, to avoid skin damage and long term issues. If in doubt, talk to your dermatologist.
Kevin Sharp, CEO
Expert Consensus on Sunscreen for the Primary Prevention of Skin Cancer: Results from the Skin Cancer Prevention Working Group Conference
- Copyright 2021The National Society for Cutaneous Medicine
The purpose of this expert consensus panel was to synthesize the most current available literature regarding sunscreen efficacy and safety into overarching principles, providing a framework with which dermatologists, physicians, and other non-physician providers may better counsel patients.
Conclusion: The proven benefits of primary skin cancer prevention outweigh the potential/hypothetical risks of sunscreen use, especially given insufficient real-world, prospective data for the discussed risks. As experts in skin health and skin cancer pathophysiology, the SCPWG believes dermatologists are uniquely qualified to lead future studies investigating sunscreen efficacy and safety and should counsel patients and the public on skin cancer primary prevention strategies.
To date, studies have not demonstrated that sunscreens cause harm in humans. Two small-scale randomized control trials found that, under theoretical maximal-use conditions when several organic sunscreen components were applied in excess of 2-5 times real-world amounts (2 mg/cm2) in a controlled indoor setting, serum concentrations exceeded the arbitrary “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE) amount of 0.5 ng/mL proposed by the FDA. Of note, the authors of this study reported no serious treatment-emergent adverse effects and also concluded that, while further studies are suggested, their findings should not deter from the use of sunscreens. Inconsistent findings from animal studies, including rodent models, have raised concerns organic sunscreen agents may potential disrupt endocrine function. One study found pregnant rats fed oral forms of oxybenzone in excess of 1605.5-7178.5 mg/Kg had significantly reduced body weight, increased liver and kidney weight and no statistical difference in sex ratio or weights of offspring. A separate study found rats fed up to 1525 mg/Kg of oxybenzone for 4 days had increased uterine weight. Importantly, a study determined the quantity of sunscreen required to reach equivalent body-weight standardized dose. At the recommended 2mg/cm2applied over the entire body surface area of an average human adult, it would take 34.6 years of daily application to reach equivalent systemic concentrations. However, when approximating real-world conditions in which only 50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen (1 mg/cm2) is applied to the face, neck, hands, and arms, it would take over 277 years to achieve similar doses orally administered to rats.
There is insufficient evidence to show that sunscreens cause harm to marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. As of January 2021, Hawaii has banned the sale of organic sunscreen agents oxybenzone and octinoxate and additional bills are being considered to ban avobenzone and octocrylene by 2023 (in the absence of a prescription). These laws follow findings suggesting organic sunscreen agents were present in seawater around Hawaii, were difficult to remove/process in wastewater, and had the potential to bleach/ossify coral reefs in vitro. Importantly, a study found that concentrations of organic sunscreen agents were materially higher in metropolitan water supplies (likely secondary to commercial/industrial run-off) than near recreational water sources.
Furthermore, studies found that actual oxybenzone concentrations in surrounding Hawaiian seawaters to be approximately 100-1000 times less concentrated than the in vitro concentrations toxic to species of microalgae, plankton, and zebrafish. Another important consideration is that potential environmental impacts of sunscreens maybe confounded by other factors, primarily climate change.
Studies have demonstrated significant correlation between increasing global and ocean temperature that stress coral-algae symbiosis and stifle coral resiliency, inducing coral bleaching. Additionally, while studies have found that oxybenzone had higher concentration in fish relative to seawater, there have not been any correlation with human health.
Finally, environmental-focused studies have found no evidence in real-world settings that inorganic mineral-based sunscreen agents could induce lasting damage to marine ecosystems. Overall, there are no direct in-vivo findings suggesting that mineral-based inorganic or any of the 8 most common organic sunscreen agents (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, homosalate, octocrylene) cause harm to marine ecosystems.
Active Ingredients in Trilipiderm SPF products:
Avobenzone, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexy Methoxycinnamate,
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane [Avobenzone] is a UVA filter with a broad absorbance spectrum range between 310 & 400 nm.It is a valuable contributor to photoprotection. By its nature it is required to be blended with other elements to increase photostability.
Diphenyl acrylic acid [Octocrylene] is an organic compound used as an ingredient in sunscreens and cosmetics. It is an ester formed by the condensation of 2-ethylhexyl cyanoacetate with benzophenone. It is a viscous, oily liquid that is clear and colorless. The extended conjugation of the acrylate portion of the molecule absorbs UVB and short-wave UVA rays with wavelengths from 280 to 320 nm,[1] protecting the skin from direct DNA damage. The ethylhexanol portion is a fatty alcohol, adding emollient and oil-like (water resistant) properties. We use it to also photostabilize avobenzone.
Trimethycyclohexyl [Homosalate] are commonly incorporated into sunscreens as UVB absorbers, salicylates absorb maximally 306nm - 307nm and offer high photostability, which can enhance water resistance. Homosalate also enhances the stability of oxybenzone and avobenzone.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate [Octinoxate] is an organic compound which is the most common UVB filter with an absorbance of 311nm. Similar to Avobenzone it is a weaker UVB absorber and is combined typically as we do with other absorbers such as Homosalate.