Safer Sun Exposure
We know all about the hazards of too much sun exposure: premature aging, skin cancer, and sun spots, to name a few. But what if your sunscreen is more dangerous to your health than sun exposure? Most of us slather ourselves and our children with sunscreen to protect ourselves from the sun (especially those of us in the NW who emerge in June looking like cave fish), but we need to be aware of the ingredients in our sun care products so we can make the safest choice possible.
Our skin is our body's largest organ and what we put on it can have a major effect on our health, both good and bad.
There are two types of sunscreen: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin where they then convert the sun’s rays into heat and then release them from the body. Physical sunscreens sit on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays, preventing them from penetrating the skin in the first place. Physical sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) also work until they are removed or washed off, unlike chemical sunscreens which must be re-applied at least every two hours.
Unfortunately, research shows chemical sunscreens to be toxic. According to Environmental Working Group, “half of the U.S. sunscreens that meet the United State’s FDA rules would not make it to store shelves in Europe,” which has stricter standards.
According to a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 97 percent of Americans are contaminated with a widely-used chemical in sunscreens - oxybenzone - which can cause allergic reactions, hormone disruption (see my post on obesogens) and cell damage. This chemical is also linked to low birth weight in babies whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. In addition, Oxybenzone is a penetration enhancer, Meaning that it helps other chemicals penetrate the skin.
Avobenzone and octinoxate are two other common chemical sunscreens with disturbing effects. These are also endocrine disrupting chemicals which have been shown to be potentially carcinogenic, especially avobenzone when it is mixed with chlorine, and they are harmful to coral reefs and other marine life. They have also been linked to organ damage, and in 2021 the FDA announced that they no longer support avobenzone as being “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE), citing the need for additional safety data.
In addition, not all sunscreens provide the protection they claim. To find a sunscreen that offers protection AND uses safe ingredients, check out my recommendations below or go to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) web site. The EWG rates sunscreens based on specific criteria, and provides a list of the top 100 that made the cut. Overall, EWG likes today’s zinc and titanium-based mineral sunscreens because they offer excellent UV protection but do not penetrate the skin.
Most sunscreens irritate my skin, causing breakouts and/or rashes. So here’s is a list of my favorite non-toxic sunscreens that I’ve found to be effective and agreeable to my sensitive skin:
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 - This is my everyday choice for foundation. It’s more dewey than I’d like on my combination skin, but a dusting setting powder from Kari Gran or RMS Beauty keeps it from looking greasy.
Kari Gran Essential SPF 30 - nourishing skincare meets sunscreen, excellent for very dry skin.
Badger Balm Active and Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream - my pick for water resistant options. Also available locally at PCC and Whole Foods.
True Botanicals Skin Barrier Sun Shield SPF 30 (this is my affiliate link) - a good, non-greasy option for under makeup or on it’s own.
Biossance - my go-to for every day use on the body (not water resistant). I find this has less of a white cast than most zinc oxide sunscreens.
Mad Hippie Clear Mineral Sun Protection - This brand is available locally at PCC and all of their products are impressively effective at reasonable price points.
What else can you do to protect yourself from skin damage and the threat of melanoma?
Eat raw vegetables; they are packed with skin-protecting antioxidants and phytonutrients.
Reduce or eliminate your consumption of processed foods and sugars, which can suppress your immune system and increase inflammation. Sugar also causes glycation which damages the skin’s collagen bonds and leads to premature aging.
Wear clothing that provides protection against UVA and UVB rays. Check out UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) products from Prana, Coolibar, and Solbari, or dozens of others available online. When in the water (or biking, hiking and running outdoors), wear a swim shirt – today’s versions are good-looking and breathable, and you don’t have to worry about chemicals or the sunscreen washing off. (Do make sure you use sunscreen on the parts of your face and body that are not protected by clothing.)
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, and wear sunglasses whenever you are outside, including when you are driving (don't forget sunscreen on your hands which get tons of exposure when driving!). Eyewear protects the sensitive skin around your eyes and can reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Make sure your sunglasses provide both UVA/UVB protection.
Avoid sun exposure during the hottest part of the day, 12pm to 4pm.
Avoid burning! Sunburns significantly increase your chances of developing melanoma, according to skincancer.org
Do not use tanning booths – these are NOT safer than the sun! People who use tanning beds are two to five times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, according to skincancerprevention.org
Remember to examine your body for signs of sun damage, and get a yearly skin check from a board-certified dermatologist.
Have a wonderful and safe summer outside!
References:
The trouble with ingredients in sunscreens
CDC: Americans Carry Body Burden of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical
Stability and removal of selected avobenzone's chlorination products https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.125
