Sourced: Linda Prebenza
The American Academy of Dermatology states that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. with 9,500 individuals diagnosed daily. Given we live in the Sunshine State, we are constantly exposed to the sun’s rays and the heat they give off. Everyone has heard of the benefits of putting on sunscreen to prevent sunburn and sun damage on the skin, but how often do we actually take that advice?
Sunscreen was invented in the 1930’s by Austrian chemist Franz Greiter and had a sun protection factor (SPF) of two. As time progressed and advances occurred, SPF ratings continued to increase, and now we typically see SPF of 15, 30, all the way up to 85. Despite SPF ratings going up to 85, the actual highest SPF rating sunscreen can go to is 50 SPF with 98 percent protection from UV rays. There are also two categories in which sunscreen falls under: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreen contains minerals that deflect the sun’s rays while chemical sunscreen uses synthetic compounds to absorb UV light before it reaches the skin.
Some of the active ingredients in sunscreen include octisalate, octocrylene and octinoxate. These chemical filtering ingredients, despite being marketed to protect skin from the sun, are actually not good for the skin. Parabens and phthalates are also typically found in sunscreen, which have been known to interfere with the normal genitalia development in men and cause breast cancer in women. Oxybenzone is another typical ingredient found in sunscreens that acts as a synthetic estrogen that can disrupt hormone levels. A recent study conducted by the FDA showed that most commonly used sunscreens contain chemicals that get absorbed into the bloodstream at potentially toxic levels.
So, what sunscreen do you turn to that won’t let you down? Well, according to Dr. Sophie Balk, a physician at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health, sunscreen should not actually be the first defense for protection against the sun. “You should turn first to lightweight clothing, hats and sunglasses and only put sunscreen on what’s exposed,” says Balk. It is also advised to avoid being in the sun when the most intense rays are out, which is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
There have also been brands to come out with natural and toxic-free sunscreens that contain healthy and environmentally friendly ingredients. Juce Beauty has an organic sunscreen with SPF 30 valued at $16 that has 20 percent zinc oxide, is moisturizing and is good for acne-prone skin. 100% Pure also has a sunscreen that resembles a deodorant stick priced at $38 that, as the brand name suggests, is made with 100 percent certified organic ingredients and has an SPF of 30 as well. Goddess Garden Organics also has a facial sunscreen that, once dry, makes for easy makeup or moisturizer application and is priced at only $13 on Amazon. It’s also made with organic ingredients such as aloe, avocado oil and lavender.
Sunscreens are not, however, just affecting us, but also the environment. Coral reefs are intoxicated by the vast amounts of oxybenzone being released into the ocean. The Ocean Foundation states that, “a single drop of this compound in more than 4 million gallons of water is enough to endanger organisms.” With that said, it is estimated that 14,000 tons of sunscreen are being deposited into the ocean annually.
To make a difference, many companies who make sunscreen have joined the coalition of the Safe Sunscreen Council in hopes of raising awareness, further studying the issue and supporting the adoption and development of safer sunscreen ingredients for both humans and the environment. While sunscreen shouldn’t be your first option for protection against the sun’s intense rays, one should at least know their options. Safer sunscreen alternatives are available and you can always throw on a sun-protective shirt.
