We’ve all been told from an early age to “SLIP, SLOP, SLAP” to help with the prevention of skin cancer. (Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat). I’m all for the slip and slap part, but have a bone to pick with the slop part. Sunscreen safety has become a hot topic over recent years as concerns grow about the potentially harmful effects of its ingredients. Before you slap anymore supermarket sunscreen on yourself or your children, please read on.
Chemical VS. Mineral-Based Sunscreen
To learn more about sunscreen safety, we first need to learn about the two different types of sunscreen on the market.
Chemical
Chemical sunscreens don’t sit on the skin, instead they are absorbed into the skin and absorb the UV rays before your skin soaks them up. The rays are then converted into heat and released from the body.
Their active ingredients include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate among a few others. The US Food and Drug Administration continues to seek basic safety data for these ingredients, but there is yet to be conclusive evidence to show that these chemicals are safe.
These sunscreens are typically found on the shelf of conventional supermarkets and chemists.
Mineral
Mineral sunscreens work by creating a physical layer on the skin that acts as a barrier to UV rays. They provide broad-spectrum protection by reflecting the UV radiation away from your skin.
These types of sunscreens use either zinc oxide or titanium oxide as their active ingredient. These are the only two ingredients categorised as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.
These sunscreens are usually found in health conscious stores locally or online.
Sunscreen Safety: Chemicals in Sunscreen can Contribute to many Health Issues
“After a single application, a total of seven chemicals commonly found in sunscreens can be absorbed into the bloodstream at levels that exceed safety thresholds.” This is according to studies by the Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research, an arm of the US Food and Drug Administration.
Chemically-based sunscreens have to be absorbed into your skin just to start working. Therefore, they have one strike against them already, just for entering your system instead of sitting on the surface. Some of the potential health risks of ingredients found in conventional sunscreens include:
- Hormone disruption; mimics oestrogen and raises risk of breast cancer
- Allergic reactions
- Bioaccumulation in tissue and organs
- Accumulation in the blood with levels that exceed the threshold established by the FDA
- Failure to biodegrade in the environment
- Negative affect on kidney function, testosterone levels and thyroid hormones
- It is becoming increasingly apparent that the chemicals in many sunscreens are detrimental to our health and may actually cause cancer.
Some of the most Troublesome Ingredients
Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is the main ingredient which raises concern (found in 97% of Americans’ urine samples). A study published in the Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences Journal suggested that under certain conditions, sunscreens with oxybenzone could lead to free-radical damage to the skin, a process that leads to skin cancer. There were patients in a 2019 clinical trial who received products containing oxybenzone. They had plasma concentrations exceeding 0.5ml after one application on day one and it rose with daily use. Oxybenzone has been shown to be absorbed into the body at 50 to 100 times higher concentration than other chemicals. On top of all this, oxybenzone acts as a penetration enhancer, meaning it helps others chemicals penetrate the skin easier.
Homosalate
Homosalate, along with six other chemical ingredients, were found in the blood of participants at levels which exceeded the FDA’s safety levels. This was seven days after application. Two ingredients, homosalate and oxybenzone, were still above safety levels even at day twenty one. Considering the concerns related to homosalate’s potential endocrine disrupting properties, this is definitely a concern.
Avobenzone
When learning about sunscreen safety, avobenzone is one of the chemicals which disrupt endocrine activity. Studies have shown it has the ability to block the effects of testosterone. It has also been found at levels nine times higher than the FDA’s recommended cutoff level for systemic exposure in samples.
Octocrylene
A study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology in March 2021 showed that products made with octocrylene can naturally degrade into the chemical benzophenone. Benzophenone is a potential carcinogen, increasing your risk of cancer. Dr. Bunick from the Yale School of Medicine says:
“It’s a chemical that doesn’t have to be there. We have a tendency in our society to say that it’s such a small amount and, therefore, it’s not harmful – but the chronic buildup of these chemicals could have a cumulative effect.”
Vitamin A
Most sunscreens contain retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) which is an antioxidant that combats skin ageing. This might sound good, but studies by the National Toxicology Program indicate otherwise. It may trigger development of skin tumours and lesions when used on skin in the presence of sunlight.
Other governments warn that cosmetics may expose people to unsafe amounts of vitamin A. They recommend against using vitamin-A-laden cosmetics on the lips and over large portions of the body.
Pre-formed vitamin A, includes retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, and retinyl linoleate. Too much of these have been linked to health problems including liver damage, brittle nails, hair loss and osteoporosis.
How to Safely Protect You and Your Family from Sun Damage
Common sense would tell us that covering our largest organ (our skin) in toxic chemicals is not a healthy activity. But obviously, we don’t want to endure the negative affects of excessive sun exposure, and here are some tips to safely protect yourself:
- Eat plenty of fresh, raw fruit and vegetables as they have antioxidants which protect your skin naturally from the inside out. Some foods include cauliflower, blueberries, watermelon, tomatoes, carrots, kale, spinach and walnuts.
- Avoid chemical-based sunscreen and products that contain vitamin A. If you must wear a sunscreen, opt for a mineral one like this.
- Get regular, low dosage sun exposure to help reduce your risk of skin cancer and keep you feeling healthy and happy. It’s important to remember that humans require sun exposure to maintain a healthy level of Vitamin D. This supports optimal functioning of the body. I recommend a minimum of 15-20 minutes per day of direct sunlight on exposed skin during the safe hours: 8am-10am and 3pm-5pm.
- Going to be out in the sun during peak hours? I suggest wearing protective clothing like a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat.
- If you get burnt, you can apply some coconut oil, fresh aloe vera gel, or a safe soothing lotion. This will help assist the skin to heal.
Sunscreen Safety Conclusion
It’s clear that sunscreen safety is an important topic to be educated about. We have been led to believe that sun exposure is bad and we should avoid it by protecting ourselves with sunscreen. In reality, the sun is life-giving and we require exposure to it for its many incredible health benefits. But, there is the potential to get sunburnt and that’s where the problem lies. With the proper education we can learn to cultivate a healthy, balanced symbiotic relationship with the sun.
This blog, its content and any linked material are presented for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing. Nothing contained in or accessible from this post should be considered to be medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing, or a promise of benefits, claim of cure, legal warranty, or guarantee of results to be achieved. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog or in any linked material. Olivia Budgen is not a medical doctor. Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before altering or discontinuing any current medications, treatment or care, or starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health condition that requires medical attention.
Hi Olivia,
Thank you for your email.
I particularly liked your article in relation to skin cancer, it was extremely interesting.
I do have question however, which you may or may not be able to answer but do you know whether the studies completed, link skin cancer with other skin care products, like body lotions?
Cancer is an epidemic we all someone who has been either directly or indirectly affected by it. Scary stuff.
Thank you,
George.
Hi George,
Thanks for your comment.
There are many studies I’ve read over the years which show ingredients found in personal care, home care etc products are linked to cancer. The wellness company I work with have specifically formulated affordable, everyday safe products so that people have an alternative to use.
The Medical College of Georgia has done testing showing that SLS forms dangerous levels of cancer-causing nitrosamines when combined with several other common ingredients found in many personal care products. Propylene glycol is another seriously dangerous ingredients in body lotions (it gives lotions that nice creamy shine).
It is definitely scary and people simply aren’t aware of it. The good thing is that we can choose what we put on our skin and bring into our homes 🙂 and this is why I’m so passionate about helping people create healthy homes for their families.
Olivia