Protecting our skin with sunscreen from the sun’s damaging rays seems like an easy thing to do. But there are numerous products out there, all of which fall into two main categories: physical sunscreens and chemical sunscreens.
Physical sunscreens work by scattering or reflecting UV rays, while chemical sunscreens first absorb, then dissipate the radiation. The most common physical sunscreens are micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are advantageous because they have not been shown to demonstrate the allergic reactions nor the unappealing thickness of their non-micronized counterparts, but they still remain on the skin’s surface without being systemically absorbed. Zinc absorbs more of the UVA spectrum than titanium, thus affording more effective protection.
Although chemical sunscreens may be more aesthetically appealing because they are colorless and odorless, they have been associated with allergic skin reactions, and recent evidence suggests they may be linked to certain health risks.
Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate), the most widely used sunscreen ingredient, was found to have estrogenic effects and to cause thyroid-hormone disruption and brain-signaling alteration in lab animals.
Avobenzone exists in about a quarter of all sunscreen products in the United States, and is broken down into unknown chemicals by the sun. It is not recommended that children or pregnant or nursing women use sunscreens with oxybenzone because it is absorbed into the body in large amounts. The safest protection is physical sunscreen with zinc or titanium.
Editor’s Note: One physician considers that the following ingredients in commercial sunscreens should also be avoided: para-aminobenzoic acid, octyl salicyclate, cinoxate, padimate O, dioxybenzone, phenylbenzimidazole, homosalate, sulisobenzone, menthyl anthranilate, trolamine salicyclate, and octocrylene. [2]
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit organization that specializes in environmental research and consumer advocacy regarding toxic chemicals, agricultural studies, public lands, and corporate accountability.
EWG completed an investigation of 952 brand-name sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher, and their results were shocking. Only 15 percent of these products met EWG’s three simple criteria for safety and effectiveness: blocking both UVA and UVB radiation, remaining stable in sunlight, and containing few, if any, ingredients with significant known or suspected health hazards.
None of market-leader Coppertone’s 41 sunscreen products met the criteria, and only one of 103 products from Banana Boat and Neutrogena, the second- and third-largest manufacturers, are recommended by EWG. To see how your sunscreen compares, go to EWG’s Web site: Cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/.
Wearing the right sunscreen is not the only thing you can do to protect yourself. When planning outdoor activities, use the online UV Index, which predicts the intensity of UV radiation according to zip code. Try to avoid the midday sun, which is most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at high altitudes and in the tropics.
Invisible rays can reflect from the ground, snow, sand, and water, so you still need sunscreen even if you wear a hat. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing with UPF, or UV Protection Factor; a UPF of 10 is approximately equivalent to an SPF of 30.
Avoid sunscreen with added bug repellent, and if needed, use bug repellant at least 15 minutes after sunscreen to cut down on pesticide soaking through skin. Remember to protect the kids, who are more sensitive to heat stroke, and keep infants under 6 months old out of direct sun.
Lastly, many consumers are unaware that certain medications may cause photosensitivity reactions, which result from the interaction of a chemical and exposure to light. Certain antibiotics, pain relievers, and even birth control pills are just a few examples of drugs that may cause photosensitivity. Ask your pharmacist if any of your prescriptions may cause you to become more sensitive to sunlight, and take the extra precautions to protect your skin accordingly.
Am I suggesting that everyone should be a hermit in their homes to prevent skin cancer and wrinkles? Of course not. Some benefits of sunlight exposure include vitamin D production for healthy bones and improved mood. Even though it is recommended to wear sunscreen daily, you should sneak in 10 to 15 minutes of sunscreen-free exposure at least twice a week.
Editor’s note: Some physicians think sun exposure should be greater—10 to 15 minutes daily, with at least 40 percent of the skin exposed. [3]
Editor’s References:
[1] Does Sun Exposure Really Cause Malignant Melanoma?
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-6-21/72235.html
[2] What Dangers Lurk in Your Summer Survival Kit? http://products.mercola.com/summer-survival-kit/
[3] Lack of Sunshine Causes One Million Deaths a Year
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/08/24/lack-of-sunshine-causes-600-000-cancers-a-year.aspx
Jessica Poquiz is a Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate
