In continuing with this blog series, below you will find information on what I consider safe sunprotection.
Safe Sun Protection:
- Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide: These “mineral filters,” tend to rate well in EWG’s guide, because they block harmful UV radiation without penetrating healthy skin. Unlike other common sunscreen chemicals, zinc and titanium are not allergenic, do not break down in sunlight and do not disrupt the body’s natural hormones.
- Dr. Mercola recommends discarding any products with the following ingredients:
- Para amino benzoic acid
- Octyl salicyclate
- Avobenzone
- Oxybenzone
- Cinoxate
- Padimate O
- Dioxybenzone
- Phenylbenzimidazole
- Homosalate
- Sulisobenzon
- Menthyl anthranilate
- Trolamine salicyclate
- Octocrylene
Nanoparticles:
- Particles that are smaller than 100 nanometers (or "nm" - a nanometer is roughly half the size of a strand of DNA) are called nanoparticles. EWG urges consumers to avoid mineral-based sunscreens sold as powders or sprays because they could inhale nanoparticles, with unknown consequences. EWG urges manufacturers of mineral-based powder and spray products not to use nano-scale particles.
- A recent review for the EU decision-making body found that, "There is currently little evidence from skin penetration studies that dermal applications of metal oxide nanoparticles used in sunscreens lead to systemic exposure" (Börm 2006).
Vitamin D and the Sun:
Of note in the wikipedia article is the reference to findings that Sunscreens do hamper Vitamin D production in the body. "The use of sunscreen also interferes with vitamin D production, leading to deficiency in Australia after a government campaign to increase sunscreen use. Doctors recommend spending small amounts of time in the sun without sun protection to ensure adequate production of vitamin D. When the UV index is greater than 3 (which occurs daily within the tropics and daily during the spring and summer seasons in temperate regions) adequate amounts of vitamin D3 can be made in the skin after only ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen. With longer exposure to UVB rays, an equilibrium is achieved in the skin, and the vitamin simply degrades as fast as it is generated." In fact, a recent study claims that at least 75% of Americans are Vitamin D deficient.
