At this time of year, it’s surprising if you haven’t seen magazine ads, commercials, social media ads promoting a sunscreen that you should buy to “protect yourself from the sun.” Unfortunately, the sunscreens you are being swayed with are not products that are good for you to use. The point of selling these products is that you need to lather them up or else you could get skin cancer. However, recent studies have found that sunscreens could be doing more harm than good.
Vitamin D is essential for the body to function properly.
Information and studies have revealed how vitamin D is extremely important not only for building and maintaining a strong immune system and strong bones, but it is also important for cancer prevention. The best way to get enough vitamin D in your body is through natural sunlight without sunscreen. Most sunscreens block UVB rays needed for vitamin D production.
Most sunscreens block the absorption of vitamin D with toxic chemicals that seep through the skin and into the bloodstream and throughout the body. Using these toxic sunscreens could actually cause cancer. The absorption of toxic chemicals into the bloodstream and the blockage of vitamin D are not a good combination for health.
Are sunscreens safe?
While skin cancer rates have doubled, according to the CDC, so has the amount of sunscreen use. Toxic chemicals in sunscreen that then burn into the skin from the heat of the sun could be causing cell irregularities and therefore skin cancer. Most of the sunscreens you are seeing in the major markets have ingredients that block UVB rays. UVB rays are needed to make vitamin D. So by using sunscreens that block UVB rays, your body doesn’t get the vitamin D it needs to function properly, which could end up causing cancer. As low levels of vitamin D have been linked to various types of cancer.
Some toxic ingredients found in this type of sunscreen:
Benzene – Recently, benzene, a known carcinogen, was found in 78 of 300 aerosols and lotions tested. Benzene can also be found in cigarette smoke, gasoline, glue, adhesives, cleaning products, and paint strippers.
oxybenzone – Oxybenzone is toxic to your body’s organs when exposed to the sun and has been found to be a hormone disruptor. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) advises consumers to avoid oxybenzone, and yet it remains in many major sunscreen brands. It is also very toxic to oceanic reefs.
octinoxate – Octinoxate is absorbed into the bloodstream and breast milk and alters the hormonal imbalance. It is also very toxic to coral reefs.
Titanium dioxide – another common ingredient in sunscreens, it has been classified as “a potential occupational carcinogen” by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
homosalate – another ingredient that kills coral reefs and marine life. May cause skin allergies. Alters the hormonal balance.
WTO – Octyl methoxycinnamate or OMC is present in most sunscreens. It has been shown to be toxic when exposed to the sun, it is the main chemical used in sunscreens to filter UVB rays. When mice were given this in low doses, it killed the mouse cells.
diesopropyl adipate – In 2006, the National Toxicology Program reported that diesopropyl adipate, another ingredient in many sunscreens, increased the incidence of tumors in laboratory animals.
There are more toxic chemicals in sunscreens that are not safe and effective for use on humans. They’re on some of the most popular brands in stores around the world. Neutrogena, Sun Bum, CVS Health, Fruit of the Earth, Banana Boat.
Stay in the sun safely
To maintain adequate levels of vitamin D, it is recommended to stay in the sun for 15 to 30 minutes per day without sunscreen. Start for a few minutes and work up to 30. If you are going to be out in the sun for longer with hat and light clothes it would be a good idea to protect the skin from burns. If you plan to be in the sun for more than 30 minutes, it’s good to have some form of sun protection. If you use a sunscreen, be sure to use one that is non-toxic. I recommend reading the ingredients to see the bottle list of any of the above.
The EWG’s first choice for sun protection is zinc oxide. Provides full spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreens like Earthie Mama’s Sunscreen (containing zinc oxide that protects the skin from harmful rays but also doesn’t absorb into the bloodstream) are the best sunscreen choice. There are other reasons why you may want to switch to a mineral-based sunscreen. You can read more about that HERE.
eating one healthy diet It is also important to protect your skin from the sun. A diet rich in antioxidant-rich foods protects the skin from sunburn as they act as a protective layer that prevents the sun from burning the skin. Antioxidants include berries, dark leafy greens, artichokes, green tea, dark chocolate, and more.
A supplement that protects the skin from sunburn is called astaxanthin It’s a powerful antioxidant found in salmon, shrimp, and lobster, which turns them orange by eating the powerful orange algae. Astaxanthin can be taken as a supplement. It acts as an internal sunscreen and protects the skin from UV damage. To read more about the amazing benefits of astaxanthin, CLICK HERE.
So does sunscreen cause skin cancer?
The answer is not so clear cut and seems to depend on the type of sun protection you choose to use. We have found that many sunscreens contain harmful ingredients that can burn into the skin and be absorbed into the bloodstream. While others, like mineral-based ones, add protection from the sun without leaching toxic chemicals into the body. Both block the absorption of vitamin D, so in Earthie Mama’s sunscreen we add vitamin D3. The other really positive aspect of using a mineral-based sunscreen is that they don’t harm marine life, which is currently a huge problem. Marine life, including coral reefs, is dying from all the harmful chemicals.
Ingredients in Earthie Mama’s Sunscreen SPF 35 – Non-nano zinc oxide, spring water, certified organic extra virgin olive oil, certified organic beeswax, vegetable vitamin E from non-GMO sunflower seeds, and added vitamin D3. For more information CLICK HERE. There are only 6 ingredients, all safe for any age and safe for the Earth. .
make your own sunscreen
If you like to make products yourself, I formulated a recipe years ago that is a sunscreen that is natural and works to protect you from sunburn. Vitamin D3 is not added in this recipe, but it will protect you from a sunburn without harming marine life or your body. Click here for a recipe to MAKE YOUR OWN SUNSCREEN.
As we move into the summer, take a look at the ingredients in the sunscreens you are choosing to buy. You don’t want to negatively contribute to your health if you have a different, healthier option. What you put on your skin can have an impact on your internal health. So choose wisely. You may want to avoid some of the brands because their sunscreens contain some, if not all, of the chemicals listed above: Neutrogena, Sun Bum, CVS Health, Fruit of the Earth, Banana Boat, and more.
Take care and have fun in the sun!
~ Alex
Take a look at the article here.
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