What's in Your Sunscreen? A Guide to Safe Ingredients
It is that time of the year, where we are spending more time outdoors, the weather is nicer but if you're like me, I tend to burn and freckle quite easily. Through my own research and health journey at times I used to fear the sun and the exposure of it and would be white as a ghost. But, over time and reading more on this topic I began to learn that the sun can also heal, provide us with crucial vitamin D when exposed at the right times and you can get a tan if done gradually vs trying to cram everything in one day of exposure which I am guilty of and have done in the past. We live and learn.
The sun, a source of life and energy, holds profound healing properties for our skin, eyes, and overall well-being. It's crucial to understand how to expose yourself wisely and what sunscreen ingredients to avoid and which ones are safe options. The sun can promote health and wellbeing but can also cause harm as well.
Optimal Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer Insights
In the book, "The Healing Sun" by Richard Hobday, PhD, provides a deeper understanding of sun exposure's timing and its implications for skin health. I highly recommend getting a copy so you have a better understanding of it's healing properties. I'll give a quick version of the cliff notes here for your awareness:
Best Times for Sun Exposure
Hobday emphasizes the importance of timing when it comes to sun exposure. Optimal periods, typically in the morning and late afternoon, offer gentler sunlight with reduced UV intensity. This timing allows for beneficial sun exposure while minimizing the risk of sunburn and excessive UV damage.
Sun and Skin Cancer
Contrary to common misconceptions, Hobday sheds light on the multifaceted relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer. While excessive sun exposure, especially during peak UV hours, can increase the risk of skin cancer, moderate and strategic sun exposure has shown protective benefits.
Hobday delves into the role of vitamin D synthesis, immune modulation, and overall skin health, highlighting the nuanced interplay between sun exposure, vitamin D levels, and skin cancer risk. He advocates for a balanced approach, where responsible sun exposure, coupled with sun protection measures, supports overall well-being.
Harnessing Sun Wisdom
By aligning sun exposure with optimal timing, practicing sun safety measures, and maintaining a holistic approach to health, we can navigate the sun's benefits while minimizing potential risks. This balanced perspective, rooted in scientific insights and practical wisdom, fosters a healthier relationship with the sun and promotes skin wellness.
It's essential to note that wearing sunglasses may signal the brain to not provide sun protection, potentially increasing the risk of sunburn, so when you can avoid the shades and opt for a hat, utilize God's gift of our bodies are smart and can help prevent a burn when paired with a proper diet. A proper diet of whole foods vs consuming processed foods, especially those containing seed oils, can help avoid the chances of burning. However, if your consuming processed foods and a lot seed oils, your chances of burning will be significantly higher.
Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid
When choosing sunscreen, scrutinizing the ingredients list is vital. Here are some ingredients to steer clear of:
Chemical Based Sunscreens:
Octocrylene: This chemical, known for disrupting endocrine function, can adversely affect reproduction and organ development, particularly the thyroid. Over time, it can degrade into benzophenone, a carcinogenic compound, posing risks to both human health and aquatic ecosystems.
Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate): This chemical can disrupt hormone function and has been found to have reproductive and developmental toxicity in animal studies. It may also cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some individuals.
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate): While Vitamin A is beneficial for the skin, its derivative Retinyl Palmitate can be problematic in sunscreens. When exposed to sunlight, it may break down and produce free radicals, potentially increasing the risk of skin damage and cancer.
Parabens (such as Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben): Parabens are preservatives commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products, including sunscreens. They have been linked to hormone disruption and have raised concerns about their potential impact on reproductive health.
Octisalate: Similar to Octocrylene and Butyloctyl Salicylate, Octisalate is an endocrine disruptor that can interfere with hormone function, particularly affecting female hormone receptors.
Oxybenzone: This widely discussed chemical, notorious for endocrine disruption and skin sensitivities, is also linked to the formation of free radicals and cell damage, potentially increasing cancer risks. Additionally, its role in coral bleaching raises ecological concerns.
Homosalate: Apart from its endocrine-disrupting properties, Homosalate's impact on coral reefs underscores its environmental repercussions.
BHT: Linked to potential health concerns, BHT's presence in sunscreens raises questions about its impact on our bodies and the environment.
Butyloctyl Salicylate: Akin to Octisalate, this endocrine disruptor can interact with female hormone receptors, making it a concern, especially for pregnant women due to reported effects on fetal weight gain.
Phenoxyethanol: Notably unregulated in certain regions, Phenoxyethanol has been associated with allergic reactions and potential toxicity upon repeated exposure, affecting blood, liver, and fertility.
Avobenzone: While not as harmful as some other chemicals, Avobenzone can still cause skin irritation and may break down when exposed to sunlight, reducing its effectiveness in providing UV protection.
Fragrance: Fragrance ingredients in sunscreens can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. It's important to opt for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic sunscreen formulations.
Siloxanes (such as Cyclopentasiloxane): These silicone-based compounds are used in some sunscreens for their texture-enhancing properties. However, they have been associated with environmental pollution and concerns about bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms.
Formaldehyde Donors (such as DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea): These preservatives release formaldehyde over time, which is classified as a human carcinogen. They can also cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Sun Essentials: Optimal Protection and Health
Mineral Based Sunscreens:
Instead of harmful chemicals, opt for sunscreens that are mineral based such as Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. While Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are generally considered safe and effective sunscreen ingredients, their nanoparticle forms have raised concerns about potential skin penetration and absorption. Some studies suggest that nanoparticles may have adverse effects on cells and tissues, when in doubt avoid nano.
Most do leave a white cast or coating and take effort rubbing in but the tradeoff is healthier ingredients.
Zinc Oxide: It covers the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays, is non-toxic and will not contribute to free radicals in your body like the chemical based ingredients above.
Titanium Dioxide: Safer than the chemical alternative but it doesn’t offer full spectrum UVA and UVB rays and may cause free radicals in the body.
Beyond sunscreen, embrace sun essentials:
Wear broad-brimmed hats
Wear protective clothing with UV added to clothing and swimwear during peak UV hours, typically between 11 am - 3 pm.
Utilize sun canopies.
Seek shade intermittently to reduce prolonged sun exposure.
Hydrate adequately to maintain skin health and resilience.
My go to Sunscreens for my Kiddos:
My go to Sunscreens for Teens and Adults:
My go to Tinted Sunscreen for Face:
Embracing Sun Wisdom
While mindful of sunscreen choices and sun protection, remember the sun's intrinsic value in promoting vitality and well-being. Balancing sun exposure with protective measures allows us to harness its healing benefits while safeguarding our health and the environment.
Let's step into the sun's healing properties wisely.