Nontoxic Sunscreens

SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!!!!!! Well, atleast in my book it is. It’s post MDW weekend and the jersey shore is filled with bennies, the sun is out and I’m ready to bask in the sun after a NEVER ENDING WINTER. Let’s chat about sunscreen first though.

FACTS ABOUT SUN EXPOSURE

Sun Exposure can not only cause premature aging but it can also cause SKIN CANCER. “More than 90 percent of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. Using tanning beds and tanning lamps also increases the risk for skin damage and skin cancer.” (via Health Community). In fact, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, if you start using tanning beds before age 30, your risk of developing melanoma jumps by 75 percent. EEK!!!

According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of new melanoma cases among American’s has tripled since the 1970’s. There were approximately 23 people diagnosed for every 100,000 people in 2015.

FACTS ABOUT TOXIC SUNSCREEN

So just grab some sunscreen and slather it on right? WRONG.

The EWG (Environmental Working Group) has an extensive post on the harms of sunscreens HERE but I will break it down for you to save you some time.

• Sunscreens with Vitamin A added are known to speed up the development of skin cancer.
• SPF protects you from sunburn, not from all types of skin damage such as aging and skin cancer.
• FDA does not regulate sunscreens with SPF higher than 50.
• In fact, the FDA does not regulate cosmetics (including sunscreen) as harshly as it regulates pharmaceuticals which brings me to my next point…
• Sunscreen ingredients are absorbed through the skin and traces of it are found in your blood, urine and even a mother’s breast milk – EEK! Therefore, its super important to be using a nontoxic sunscreen which brings me to my next point.
• Common sunscreen ingredients have been found to hormone disruptors (meaning they block of mimic hormones), cause allergic reactions, and additional health concerns.

So what ingredients should you watch out for when selecting sunscreen? There are SO MANY studies out there and infomative articles and I could truly bore you with all the details. (Food babe has a really good one too!). But I want to make this SIMPLE for you – no one has time to read a research paper when they are in Target and eager to get to the beach. (Also, EWG has a kick ass chart which rates all the chemicals you want to avoid, find that here.)

Ingredients to Avoid

• Oxybenzone – Known hormone disrupter
• Vitamin A – As indicated above, speeds up the development of skin cancer.
• Octinoxate (Octylmethoxycinnamate) – Another known hormone disrupter
• Homosalate- Another known hormone disrupter
• Octisalate- High rate of skin allergy
• Octocrylene – High rate of skin allergy
• Fragrances – It’s unknown what this will be made of (varies by product) and the company does not have to disclose this!

Choosing a Safer Sunscreen

• Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are in mineral based sunscreens and provide UVA protection
• Look for products that are non-nano meaning they do not have small particles that can absorb into skin
• Broad spectrum sunscreens that protect again both UVA and UVB rays
• Use the app THINK DIRTY. All you have to do is scan a product’s barcode and it will inform you as to how toxic the product is. Super easy trick while you are out shopping.

MY PERSONAL Recommended Brands

SUNOLOGY

BEAUTY COUNTER (rated a 1 of 5, low risk, by EWG)

HONEST CO.

LAGUNA HERBALS (rated a 1 of 5, low risk, by EWG)

RAW ELEMENTS (rated a 1 of 5, low risk, by EWG)

KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS STILL REACHING FOR A CONVENTIONAL SUNSCREEN?! Share this post with them pretty please! 

Protect your skin and your health, friends!

xo Erica

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