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Sun Goddess~
When I was younger….I never used sunscreen! I would bake in the sun for hours with nothing but baby oil to get the maximum suntan possible. Now, several mole removals later, I never go out for extended amounts of time unprotected. However, there is growing concern with the safety of our sunscreens. Many studies are revealing that the ingredients contained in these lotions (and especially those convenient sprays) may be blocking harmful UV rays but are contaminating our body (and blood) with dangerous chemicals that are even being associated with increased risk for skin cancer!
We need sunlight! It is my personal belief that we need sun exposure, especially as our main source of Vitamin D. However, the amount of sun exposure is the key. I try to get 15 minutes in the sun a day….even in the winter months on those occasional warm days. Once that 15 minutes is up, if I am going to remain outdoors, then I apply my sunscreen. This allows me to absorb some of that beneficial Vitamin D. I do recommend supplementing with Vitamin D3 in addition to sun exposure as most people have been found to be deficient. I take 2,000 IU’s of D3 in the summer and 4,000 IU’s in the winter months.
What to look for~Here is a list of potentially dangerous ingredients found in most sunscreens:
Para amino benzoic acid, octyl salicyclate, avobenzone, oxybenzone, cinoxate, padimate o., dioxybenzone, phenylbenzimidazole, homosalate, sulisobenzone, menthyl anthranilate, trolamine salicyclate, octocrylene, retinyl palmitate.
The most common one you will see is the oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate, both showing links to an increase in skin cancer when used in conjunction with sunlight. Retinyl palmitate is Vitamin A so how could a vitamin, something good for you, be related to skin cancer? Apparently, it’s been shown to accelerate skin tumors and lesions….those that may already be cancerous. So the Vitamin A is not necessarily the problem unless it is used in conjunction with sun exposure. My theory is that it’s combination with these other chemicals may be the source of the problem, as well. These ingredients found in our sunscreens may explain the rising numbers of skin cancer that we are seeing in the US today in spite of an increase in sunscreen use and SPF ratings. I personally know of someone who was an avid sunscreen user and ended up with stage 3 skin cancer. Of course, there can be other factors involved such as skin type, exposure, etc.
What Sunscreen do I use? I made the switch to natural sunscreens two or three years ago and I must say, there are good ones and bad ones. My biggest complaint is that most of them leave you with that unattractive, white coating on the skin due to the amount of Zinc used to block the sun. I have broken down on occasion at the beach and used a spray sunscreen when it was convenient but with more studies coming out, that won’t be happening anymore. My favorite sunscreen, that does not leave you looking like a ghost, is by Image Skincare called “Sun”. It’s an organic sunscreen that I use mainly on my face and chest as it is rather expensive….a 4 ounce tube will run you about $34! You must also purchase it through a licensed esthetician. Dr. Mercola has a sunscreen that is pretty good, as well, and it comes in a variety of SPF. For a list of sunscreens (many available at Whole Foods) and their safety ratings, click here for EWG’s Sunscreen Guide.
As with anything, I always encourage my clients and readers to do their own research as there is endless amounts of information out there and I believe you will continue to see more studies being done on this topic.
Until next time, enjoy your summer and be safe!!
