Can sunscreen chemicals during pregnancy affect your child's brain development?

What's actually in it

Chemical sunscreens contain UV filters like oxybenzone (BP-3), octinoxate, and homosalate that absorb ultraviolet light to protect your skin from sun damage. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. During pregnancy, they can cross the placenta and reach the developing baby.

UV filters are endocrine disruptors. They've been shown to interfere with estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormones in lab studies. The developing brain depends on precise hormone signaling, making prenatal exposure a concern.

What the research says

A 2025 longitudinal study in Environ Pollut measured UV filter levels in pregnant women and then assessed their children's cognitive and behavioral development at multiple time points. By tracking the same children over years, the researchers could look for patterns between prenatal exposure and later outcomes.

Children whose mothers had higher UV filter levels during pregnancy scored lower on tests of cognitive function and neurobehavioral development. The associations were consistent across multiple developmental assessments.

The study accounted for other factors that affect child development, including maternal education, income, and other chemical exposures. The UV filter associations remained after these adjustments.

During pregnancy, consider mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead of chemical UV filters. These sit on top of the skin and don't absorb into the bloodstream. Wearing hats and protective clothing can also reduce the need for chemical sunscreen.