In the pursuit of health, we've been conditioned to believe that the sun is our skin's greatest enemy. However, we know that the sun is God’s greatest blessing in nature. Without it, nothing would live and it’s involved in almost every single biological process in our body. A growing body of research suggests that the real culprits behind skin cancer might not be the sun itself but rather the chemicals and seed oils lurking in traditional sunscreens. It's time to reconsider the narrative and explore whether our skincare routines could be inadvertently contributing to the very problem we seek to prevent.
Before we get into it let’s just look at the ingredients of a popular “high-end” sunscreen brand – Neutrogena:
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3% (sunscreen) Homosalate 15% (sunscreen) Octisalate 5% (sunscreen) Octocrylene 2.8% (sunscreen) Oxybenzone 6% (sunscreen)
Inactive Ingredients: Acrylates/C12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, beeswax, BHT, caprylyl methicone, cetyl dimethicone, diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate, dimethicone, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, disodium EDTA, ethylhexyl stearate, ethylhexylglycerin, fragrance, glyceryl stearate, methylisothiazolinone, PEG-100 stearate, polyaminopropyl biguanide, silica, sodium polyacrylate, styrene/acrylates copolymer, trideceth-6, trimethylsiloxysilicate, water, xanthan gum.
If you can pronounce all of these chemical names correctly, you are impressive and likely a chemist. Do these ingredients sound safe to apply to the largest organ in your body? No thank you! Not to mention, Neutrogena just recalled their sunscreen products due to benzene contamination – a known carcinogen.
Chemical Sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens, laden with compounds like benzene, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone, have long been the go-to active ingredients in sunscreen. However, studies have raised concerns about these chemicals, linking them to hormone disruption, cancers, and allergic reactions. Moreover, some research indicates that these chemicals may generate free radicals when exposed to sunlight, potentially increasing the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
Seed Oils – A Slippery Slope
Many sunscreens, including mineral sunscreens, boast moisturizing properties thanks to seed oils like safflower, soy, and sunflower. While these oils may provide initial hydration, they can also create a false sense of security. Recent studies suggest that certain seed oils, when exposed to UV radiation, may promote oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially contributing to the development of skin cancer. It's crucial to scrutinize sunscreen ingredients beyond SPF and assess their impact on skin health.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Ironically, the very sunscreens designed to protect us from the sun's rays may be contributing to widespread vitamin D deficiencies. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin in response to sunlight, and overly zealous sunscreen use can hinder this natural process. Deficiencies in vitamin D have been linked to various health issues, including an increased risk of certain cancers. This is likely because Vitamin D is involved in over 300 chemical reactions in the human body and most deal with gene expression. Striking a balance between sun protection and vitamin D synthesis is the key to holistic skin health.
Tallow Sunscreens – A Safer Alternative
Amidst the concerns surrounding chemical sunscreens, tallow sunscreens, featuring non-nano zinc oxide, have emerged as safer alternatives. These ingredients create a physical barrier on the skin, reflecting and scattering UV rays without the potential risks associated with chemical filters. Choosing tallow sunscreens like 7's dreamy sunscreen formula provides effective protection without compromising on skin safety, but make sure they use non-nano zinc oxide and not standard “zinc oxide”! Non-nano means the mineral will not absorb into the skin.
Don’t Avoid the Sun!
As we reconsider the dynamics of sun protection, it's essential to empower ourselves with knowledge and make informed choices. Spending more time in the sunshine is critical for our health and contributes to everything from sleep, hormone levels, weight-gain, depression, and nearly every other function of the human body. However, we all have our limits with how much sun our skin can absorb without getting burnt, so that’s why we’ve created an organic tallow based sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide that you can use to ensure you don’t exceed your ability to absorb the sunshine safely. Your skin deserves protection, but it also deserves products that contribute to its vitality without compromising long-term health.
