-- SUNSCREEN --
The Good, The Not-So-Good,
and the Downright Dangerous!
I decided to talk about sunscreens earlier this year because it’s time to be outside having fun! And the Environmental Working Group has now made it easier to shop for safe sunscreens!
Before we go shopping, let’s first learn what the “SPF” number really means. How can you safely play out in the sun this summer? What makes a Sunscreen either “Good, Not-So-Good, or Downright Dangerous”?
Remember – the Sun is your friend and healthy sun exposure is imperative for your health: Your body needs about 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure every day for your body to process things like good cholesterol and converting Vitamin A and Vitamin D into usable forms.
By simply exposing your skin to the natural sunlight, your body knows what to do. So, get out and expose big body parts – like legs and arms and your torso, for about 20 minutes. You can use sunscreen on those areas you need to protect like your face, ears, etc. After those 20 minutes are up, it’s time for protection.
Caveat: There are some of us, which includes yours truly, who are genetically missing the switch (gene) which turns on some of these conversions, or the switch doesn’t work so well. The result is not getting the Vitamin D benefits from the sun. If you are out in the sun a lot, and your Vitamin D levels are still low, contact me and we can discuss checking your genetics.
What does SPF Really Mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor - A sunscreen product, no matter what the SPF number, is only fully effective for two hours after you put it on. Just because the SPF number is higher does not mean you can stay out longer. It just means it’s blocking a higher percentage of the UVB rays during those two hours. So, no matter what the SPF number, you need to reapply every two hours you are out in the sun.
The Food and Drug Administration, who governs the regulation of sunscreens, suggests a maximum labeled SPF value of SPF 60+. The FDA determined that SPF values above 60 did not provide “any additional meaningful clinical benefit.”
UVA versus UVB Rays
BUT WAIT – it’s the UVA rays which are more damaging – and here’s where the real story begins. UVA rays are more abundant than UVB rays, and UVA damage is more subtle than the sunburns induced mainly by UVB rays. UVA rays can damage your skin invisibly by suppressing the immune system and aging the skin over time! Overexposure to these rays is also linked to the development of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, too.
PARENTS – Studies show that the more sunburns we get during childhood, the more likely we are to develop dangerous skin cancers as an adult. So even if you are not diligent with protecting your own skin, protect your child’s future skin and health.
Safe Sunscreens
The first place to start shopping for a new, safe sunscreen is the Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen page, which you can find at “ewg.org/sunscreen/”. Their 2025 Guide to Sunscreens evaluated over 2200 products, with only about 1 in 4 meeting their standards for being safe.
You can search for your present sunscreen to see how safe, or unsafe, it is. Or you can just go straight to their “Top-rated Recreational Sunscreens” list. They even have safe sunscreens for babies. Recently they added an Amazon link to the products to make it even easier to find and purchase safe sunscreens. Or you can go straight to Amazon and search “EWG Verified Sunscreen.”
The FDA in 2021, determined only two ingredients to be “safe and effective”, and those continue to be zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients are mineral based. Rather than being absorbed into the skin, they sit on top of the skin and form a physical barrier which reflects the sun’s radiation from the skin. And yes, there are products which contain clear zinc oxide, so you don’t have to sport the white nose any longer.
The good news is there are products which are “Broad Spectrum” which protect against both UVB/UVA rays and contain these ingredients.
Sunscreens to Avoid – It’s Time to Read Labels:
Aerosols – Studies show inhalation of toxic chemicals pose respiratory risks. Also, the inability to get consistent coverage is not effective. Think of attempting to spray your kids on a windy beach.
Aluminum – Can damage skin cells
Oxybenzone – This is probably the worst because it is readily absorbed into the skin. This chemical sunscreen block is an endocrine (hormone) disruptor which acts like Estrogen. For males (both young boys and you older guys) it lowers testosterone levels, lowers sperm counts, and increases more feminine characteristics. In young girls, it causes them to develop quicker, and then later on causes more serious issues like endometriosis and increasing risk for breast cancer in women.
Oxybenzone gets into your system after the first use and can stay in your system for up to 3 weeks!!
Parabens – Preservatives which are synthetic compounds commonly found in sunscreens, which are linked to endocrine disruption and other health concerns.
Other hormone disrupters to avoid include Octinoxate (may also disrupt thyroid), Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene and Avobenzone.
Retinyl Palmitate – Form of vitamin A – can speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied topically.
Fragrance – Contains Phthalates (which will not be listed on the label) which cause Cancer, ADHD, Thyroid disruption, and Insulin Resistance. Look for Fragrance Free or No Fragrance sunscreens.
Insect Repellant – Avoid sunscreens with added insect repellant chemicals.
The real health risk from these ingredients is, they get absorbed into your skin.
Remember: Into your skin – into your bloodstream – into your immune system.
Sunscreen Application - Apply your sunscreen 15-20 minutes before going out into the sun, and check for any allergic reactions. Recheck for any reactions immediately when you get out into the sun. Some reactions will begin once you are exposed to the sun. Remember, reapply every 90 minutes to two hours. If you are actively sweating or in the water, be sure to find a sunscreen which is also water resistant and reapply each time you get out of the water. Remember the tops of your ears, hands and feet.
Do Not Rely Just on Your Sunscreen
One of the best ways to protect your skin is with physical barriers. Wear Sun Protective Clothing – hats, shirts, pants, and add a wet suit or swimming shirt in the water. Protect your eyes with sunglasses.
After getting your 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, go get in the shade.
Avoid peak sun hours. Go out early in the morning before 10 a.m., and in the evening after 4 pm. As a kid, my parents would bring us in to get cleaned up and have lunch, then go to the movies, go shopping or do something indoors. We’d go back out and play after dinner.
If you need help researching your sunscreen, or have questions about getting your genetics tested, please do not hesitate to email me at yourtotalbody@yahoo.com. Mention this article for $50 off.
Annie Bush
Your Total Body
