Yesterday I spent the entire day outside with my boys and my
parents, which inspired me to write a post about sunscreen. There are numerous
articles about sunscreen and their uses cycling on news channels, on the
Internet, and in magazines, but many of them contradicted one another or
provide conflicting information. My father-in-law is a dermatologist (please
forgive me, Mike) and I want to follow his, and many other dermatologists,
advice, but I just cannot stomach slathering chemicals onto my skins to
“protect” me from the sun. So the question is: should you put sunscreen on when
outside or not? Well, that is a loaded question indeed.
First, let’s talk about the two different types of filters that
are used in sunscreen. The earliest barrier used is known as a physical, or
mineral, barrier. This comes in the form of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The
second, and more widely used, is a chemical filter. The most common active
ingredients in chemical filter sunscreens are oxybenzone, avobenzone,
octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxiate. The fact that they are
labeled as chemical should be enough to give you pause. Chemical sunscreens are
designed the filter sunlight and absorb damaging UV rays, but some may actually
breakdown when exposed to sunlight, causing free radicals in the body. Free
radicals are known to damage the DNA in cells, trigger mutations, and cause
cancer. Most of these chemicals also penetrate the skin, thus leaking into the
bloodstream, and can act as endocrine or hormone disrupters. This means that
the body recognizes these chemicals as naturally occurring hormones, which can
initiate responses within the body’s endocrine system that results in premature
breast development, breast and ovarian cancers, and undescended testicles.
Physical barrier sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium
dioxide are generally considered safer because research shows that they sit on
the surface of your skin instead of being absorbed. There are fewer health
concerns with these types of sunscreen as well because they also will not
breakdown when exposed to sunlight. I think the only drawback to mineral
sunscreens is that you have to reapply often since they just sit on the surface
of your skin and water and sweat will just wash them right off. Still,
that sure beats having chemicals seeping into your body.
Two other ingredients to look out for are
methylisothiazolinone, MI, and its cousin, methylchloroisothiazolinone,
MCI. Both are preservatives that can lead to allergic reactions.
So, back to our loaded question: should you put sunscreen on
when outside or not? The answer is yes, but sunscreen is an additional line of
defense. Try to avoid the sun during peak times of the day: 10AM to 2PM. When
you are out during those times, wear clothing that act as barriers, such as
long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses and/or hang out in the shade. All other
times of the day, if you are going to be outside for longer than 20 minutes
then put on sunscreen! Why 20 minutes? That is roughly the amount of sun
exposure we need in order to get our daily dose of Vitamin D. Read Getting Enough Vitamin D.
What sunscreen should I use?
The Environmental Working Group (2015, August), EWG, is a
non-profit, non-partisan group “whose mission is to empower people to live
healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and
education, [they] drive consumer choice and civic action.” Here is their list
of ingredients and product features to avoid and their lists for the worst
sunscreens:
§ Spray
Sunscreens
§ Products
with SPF above 50
§ Oxybenzone
§ Retinyl
palmitate
11 Worst Spray Sunscreens
These sunscreens are aerosol sprays with SPFs above 50+ and the
harmful additives oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate.
§ Banana
Boat Clear UltraMist Ultra Defense MAX Skin Protect Continuous Spray Sunscreen,
SPF 110
§ Coppertone
Sport High Performance AccuSpray Sunscreen, SPF 70
§ Coppertone
Sport High Performance Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+
§ CVS
Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100
§ CVS
Sheer Mist Spray Sunscreen, SPF 70
§ CVS
Sport Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+
§ CVS Wet
& Dry Sunscreen Spray, SPF 85
§ Neutrogena
Fresh Cooling Sunscreen Body Mist, SPF 70
§ Neutrogena
Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100+
§ Neutrogena
Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70
§ Neutrogena
Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray, SPF 85+
12 Worst Sunscreen Lotions
These sunscreen lotions claim SPFs above 50+ and contain
oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate.
§ Banana
Boat Sport Performance Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
§ Coppertone
Sport High Performance Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
§ Coppertone
Sport High Performance Sunscreen, SPF 75
§ Coppertone
Sport Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
§ Coppertone
Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70+
§ CVS
Sport Sunstick Sunscreen, SPF 55
§ CVS Sun
Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 100
§ CVS Sun
Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 70
§ Neutrogena
Ultra Sheer Daily Liquid Sunscreen, SPF 70
§ NO-AD
Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 60
§ NO-AD
Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 85
§ Ocean
Potion Protect & Nourish Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
11 Worst Sunscreens for Kids
These terrible kid and baby sunscreens have at least three
strikes against them: 1) oxybenzone, 2) retinyl palmitate and 3) SPFs above
50+. Two have a fourth strike: they’re aerosol sprays that can harm sensitive
young lungs. Convenient? Yes. Good for kids? Absolutely not.
§ Banana
Boat Clear UltraMist Kids Max Protect & Play Continuous Spray Sunscreen,
SPF 110
§ Coppertone
Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
§ Coppertone
Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
§ Coppertone
Kids Wacky Foam Foaming Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 70+
§ Coppertone
Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70+
§ Coppertone
Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
§ Equate
Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
§ Kroger
Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
§ Kroger
Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
§ Neutrogena
Wet Skin Kids Beach & Pool Sunblock Spray, SPF 70+
§ Up
& Up Kid’s Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
Here are a few recommendations for zinc oxide sunscreens
§ Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, SPF 30+
§ Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Baby SPF 30+
§ Badger Sport Sunscreen Cream – SPF 35 – All Natural &
Certified Organic
§ Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream – SPF 30 – All Natural & Certified
Organic
§ Badger Face Stick– SPF 35+ – All Natural & Certified Organic
§ Badger Face Stick– SPF 35+ – All Natural & Certified Organic
Make Your Own Sunscreen
I actually make my own, plant-based sunscreen.
What you need:
§ 3/4
cup coconut oil
§ 2
tablespoons zinc oxide powder
§ 2
tablespoons shea butter
Place coconut oil and shea butter is a 16 oz mason jar and place
inside a saucepan with a couple of inches of water in it. Turn stove to medium
high heat and stir ingredients together while they melt. Once combined, take
jar out of the water and stir in zinc oxide (be sure not to inhale it). You can
add essential oils to the sunscreen to give it a nice aroma. I suggest 10 drops
of lavender or wild orange. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
There will be variations in the SPF level based on how much zinc
oxide is in the sunscreen and the size of the particles. Add a teaspoon
of red raspberry oil and a teaspoon of carrot seed oil to this combination and you
will roughly 30 SPF from this sunscreen.
and a teaspoon of carrot seed oil to this combination and you
will roughly 30 SPF from this sunscreen.
—————————————————————————
References:
Dr. Axe. (n.d.). Homemade Sunscreen. Retrieved
on August 23, 2015 from http://draxe.com/homemade-sunscreen/
Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved on August 23, 2015
from http://www.ewg.org/about-us
Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). EWG Sunscreen Hall of Shame. Retrieved on August
23, 2015 from http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/hall-of-shame/
Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). The Trouble With Sunscreen Chemicals. Retrieved on
August 23, 2015
from http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
Wellness Mama. (2015, July 8). Natural Homemade
Sunscreen. Retrieved from
http://wellnessmama.com/2558/homemade-sunscreen/
No comments:
Post a Comment