Sunshine and Skin Safety

With summer at our doorstep it is important to be sun safe. The sun brings warmth and wonder but it also has the potential to harm us. Whether driving in the car, flying in an airplane, or strolling the beach on a cloudy day it is always important to remember your SPF (sun protection factor). While applying any sunscreen may seem smart, ingredients matter and most sunscreens are brimming with scary ingredients that can cause allergic reactions, premature aging, hormone disruptions, and possibly even cancer. However, walking around without sunscreen poses a greater risk.

To begin there are two categories of sunscreen:

• Physical Sunscreen
• Also known as sunblock
• Created with natural minerals such as titanium dioxide & zinc oxide
• Covers the skin's surface to create a barrier that reflects the sun's UVA & UVB rays
• Sunblock can be thick and goopy to apply and it often leaves a white sheen on the skin
• Chemical Sunscreen
• Contains synthetic ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate which the skin absorbs in order to filter UV rays
• Although chemical sunscreen protects deeper layers of skin because it is absorbed it can lead to skin irritation and other harmful side-effects
• Ingredients found in chemical sunscreen can produce cell-damaging free radicals when exposed to the sun

Shady sunscreen ingredients that should be avoided include:

• Oxybenzone
• Penetration enhancer which undergoes a chemical reaction when exposed to the sun
• Once absorbed it has the potential to cause an eczema-like reaction that can spread beyond the exposed area and last long after sun exposure
• Hormone disruptor which, according to the CDC, can be found in the bodies of 97% of Americans since it accumulates faster than our bodies can dispose of it.
• Octinoxate
• Penetration enhancer which also helps other ingredients be absorbed 
• Allergic reactions are not common but hormone disruption is
• Octinoxate's effects on estrogen can be harmful for humans and wildlife that comes into contact with the chemical once it dissolves into water
• Produces skin and cell damaging free radicals
• Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate)
• While vitamin A is an antioxidant that we eat, retinyl palmitate as an ingredient in sunscreen breaks down when exposed to UV rays; thus, producing toxic free radicals that harm cells, damage DNA, and may lead to cancer.
• FDA studies have shown that retinyl palmitate has the possibility to increase the development of malignant cells and skin tumors when applied to the skin before sun exposure.
• Homosalate
• UV-absorbing ingredient that assists sunscreen in penetrating the skin
• Absorbed by the skin and accumulates in the body faster than it can be disposed of which makes it toxic and a hormone disruption
• Octocrylene
• When exposed to UV rays this chemical absorbs the light and produces oxygen radicals that may damage cells and cause mutations
• Easily absorbed by the skin and accumulates faster than the body can eliminate it
• Toxic to the environment
• Parabens
• Butyl-, Ethyl-, Methyl-, and Propyl- 
• Associated with acute and chronic side effects such as allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and developmental and reproductive toxicity
• Possible link to breast cancer

Since I care about healthy skin, below are my recommendations for a face and a body sunscreen.

For a face sunscreen I suggest "Coola Suncare- face spf 30 unscented matte tint" which protects the skin from the sun and fights UV ray induced aging with antioxidant-infused "farm to face" ingredients. This mineral sunscreen is unscented (perfect for those who are sensitive to fragrances) and lightly tinted although I find the "tint" to be lighter than the lightest BB creme; therefore, this product is male friendly as well. The formula is preservative free, water resistant, and infused with organic ingredients such as rose hip oil (rich in free radical fighting vitamin C!), calming evening primrose, flax seed oil (deliveres omega-3 and gamma-linolenic acid to improve skin elasticity and moisture retantion), shea butter, and phyto-protector plankton extract which rejuvenates the skin. Overall, Coola sunscreen applies smoothly and instantly absorbs without leaving the skin greasy or white cast. This sunscreen can easily be worn under makeup (I've found that it mattifies better than my primer) and I am happy knowing that my skin is protected from the sun and carcinogenic ingredients. Coola Suncare- face spf 30 unscented matte tint received the clean and green rating of a 1 on the Think Dirty app.

For a body sunscreen I suggest the "Honest Sunscreen Lotion" which is a spf 30 broad spectrum mineral sunscreen. This sunscreen is quite impressive as it is: non-nano, hypoallergenic, vegetarian, non-whitening, biodegradable, reef friendly, and water resistant. The Honest Sunscreen Lotion is family friendly and unscented. Like the rest of the Honest Company's products this sunscreen is free of all synthetic and chemical ingredients. It applies smoothly and absorbs well; my only woe is that the tube only comes in one size- 3oz. The Honest Sunscreen Lotion received the clean and green rating of a 2 on the Think Dirty app.

For helpful sun safety tips please visit the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and also for fun browse or search their guide to sunscreens.

The sun brings happiness, summer, popsicles, and beach days but it can also harm us. Practice skin safety by always applying SPF no matter the weather or situation.

Sincerely,

JEN

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Information from:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/6-scary-sunscreen-ingredients-and-6-safe-spf-products