The burning facts about sunscreen

Summer is fast approaching for those of us in the northern hemisphere, a time for families to think about protection from the harmful rays of the sun.   ‘Harmful’ is how we have learnt to think about the sun.  Originally from Australia I have been a sun devotee most of my life.  Whilst spending endless hours on the beach as a teen was the norm, in later years this sort of behavior was not encouraged.

Have we taken this attitude too far?  Some say yes because now it becoming apparent that Vitamin D deficiency, due to reduced sun exposure, is more prevalent in adults and children than previously thought, some suspecting it has reached pandemic proportions!  Vitamin D is essential to metabolize calcium, supports calcium and phosphorous absorption throughout the cells of the body, and has numerous other actions which have been investigated in-depth, with several thousand publications reporting on the benefits of Vitamin D.

One of the main concerns is the deficiencies seen in children, suggesting that perhaps we have taken this sun protection idea just a little too far (see my parting comments below).  So although we are going to discuss the use of sunscreens in this post, as to the need for Vitamin D, let your kids get some sun, early in the morning and late in the afternoon is the best.

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Now let’s get onto the matter of sunscreens

In case you missed the very informative webinar by Dr Sarah Lantz a couple of weeks ago, here is the link.  Dr Lantz is the author of Chemical Free Kids: Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World.

Although I do recommend taking 40 min to listen to this informative discussion, I will go over some of the highlights here.

UV’s explained

  • UVA
    • long waves rays  making up 90-95% of the ultra violet light
    • penetrates the skin and affects the deeper layers of the skin causing skin ageing and skin cancers
    • penetrates glass
  • UVB
    • short wave rays
    • more likely to cause sunburn
    • required for Vitamin D generation
  • SPF (Sun Protection Factor) ONLY rates UVB not UVA
  • Zinc Oxide is the best sunscreen, is not irritating and is a natural sun protector.

Not all sunscreens are made the same!

  • Some researchers believe that the use of chemicals in sunscreens may be a primary cause of the skin cancer epidemic.
  • Chemicals found in many commercially available sunscreens are known endocrine disruptors and free radical generators and can cause more harm than the protective claim made for sun protection.
  • Although chemicals in sunscreens can protect against UV ray damage, they have other effects as they are absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin.
  • Benzophenone-3/ Oxybenzone
    • A powerful free radical generator that is activated by the sun.  As free radicals are a primary cause of aging and are known to cause cancer, it would appear that any product with this chemical ingredient should be avoided
  • Octyl methoxycinnamate
    • A free radical generator and is known to be toxic to cells.

Here is a chart of both chemical and physically occurring sunscreens with the protective level

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Other important considerations of chemicals in sunscreens include:

  • The incidence of eczema, dermatitis and other skin infections
  • The impact of these chemicals washing off in the ocean affecting marine life and coral reefs.  In 2008 it was reported that four chemical ingredients commonly found in sunscreens are playing a role in the occurrence of viral infection in corals resulting in bleaching, even in very low concentrations.  At least 3 of the chemicals listed above were included in this study.  I’ve talked about this before here.

Dr Lantz’s preferred Sunscreen is Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm, why:

  • Zinc Oxide  – offers extensive UVA and UVB protection
  • Shea Butter increases blood circulation and maintains skin suppleness
  • Carrot Seed for nourishment and cell regeneration
  • Aloe Vera, a primary base ingredient in Miessence products, is generally used as an after sun treatment, but also reflects as much as 20% of the harmful UV rays.

Other sources of important information:

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) 2013 Sunscreen Guide.

Last week I posted about the EWG’s shoppers guide to pesticides, well they also issue an annual sunscreen guide, the 2013 edition of which was released just last week.

In addition to listing the best and worst sunscreens on the market the EWG also shares some relevant research worth exploring.  Some essential do and don’t they recommend:

  • Don’t be fooled by high SPF.  SPF is only in relation to UVB, not the most harmful UVA’s, and anything over SPF15 has negligible increased protection.  The EWG actually suggests that SPF’s over 50 are likely to cause more harm from the sun filtering chemicals absorbing into the skin causing tissue damage
  • Avoid Vitamin A additives in sunscreens as these have been found to increase the development of skin cancer, and as commercial sunscreens generally do not protect again UVA, the primary cause of skin cancers from sun damage, the addition of vitamin A is potentially dangerous
  • If you avoid the sun, check your Vitamin D levels, but if possible get some sun in the morning and late afternoon for a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

the sun is nature’s superfood

Finally, Dr Lantz talks about our internal sunscreen to reduce the risk of sun damage:

  • A diet high in antioxidants
  • Raw, fresh and unprocessed foods
  • Healthy fats
  • Probiotics and alkalizers

For more on Sunscreens you can also watch this informative video from Narelle Chenery, Director of Research at Miessence on Sunscreens and Skin Cancer

As a final word I want to add that Vitamin D deficiencies are yet another example of how government health promotion can/does get it wrong.  In an effort to reduce the risk of skin cancers (most of which are non-melanoma forming and easily treated), health promotion campaigns directed at avoiding the sun, have been so effective that there is now a wider pandemic of Vitamin D deficiency, whilst at the same time encouraging the development of a market for chemical based sunscreens, that are harmful to both humans and the environment.

It’s time we took our wellness back!  What do you say?  Share with us your thoughts and concerns.

 

Sources:
Danovaro, R, Bongiorni, L, Corinaldesi, C, et al, (2008), Sunscreens Cause Coral Bleaching by Promoting Viral InfectionsEnviron Health Perspect,  116(4): 441–447.
Holick, MF,(2012), Evidence-based D-bate on health benefits of vitamin D revisited, Dermatoendocrinol, 4(2): 183–190.
Braun. L. & Cohen, M., (2007), Herbs and natural Supplements: An evidence-based guide, 2nd ed, Elsevier, Sydney, Australia