Safe Sun Exposure & Natural Sunscreens

I haven’t worn conventional sunscreen for over a decade (maybe more, I forget when exactly complete crunchiness took over!). The reason for that is because of the toxic chemicals found in them, and what they do to us as a result (spoiler: they’re certainly not protecting us).

 

I’ve since found much safer ways to be in the sun, as well as building on my understanding about the sun, safe sun exposure, what we need to know about being in the sun, how lifestyle affects sun exposure, and which sunscreens to use, so I thought I’d share that with you as we’re about to head into the summer months.

 

Does Conventional Sunscreen Prevent Cancer?

Let’s start by ruling out the myth that conventional sunscreen (and our chronic overuse of it) prevents cancer.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), skin cancer rates have more than doubled in the last 30 years, and this at a time when humans have never used more sunscreen, and never had less time in the sun. In fact, we’ve never spent as much time away from the sun as we do now.

 

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also states: “Rates of melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – have tripled over the past 35 years. Most scientists and public health agencies – including the FDA itself – have found little evidence that the use of sunscreens in isolation from other sun protective measures prevent most types of skin cancer.”

 

In fact, a study in the Lancet in 2004 showed that indoor workers are twice as likely to get skin cancer than those who spent more time in the sun. It turns out that sun exposure (when done properly, which we’ll get onto soon), can actually offer protective measures against cancer.

 

Understanding Sunscreens

Not all sunscreen is created equal. There are chemical sunscreens (conventional, standard store-bought ones with nice tropical smells that remind you of your childhood holidays), and mineral sunscreens (natural options that can often smell and feel like chalk but whose ingredients don’t increase your risk of cancer – like I always say, we choose our hard!)

 

Chemical sunscreen uses chemicals to block UVA and UVB rays, while mineral sunscreen uses ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – which are naturally broad-spectrum) to act as physical barriers.

 

Some of the toxic ingredients used in conventional sunscreens include:

 

  • Oxybenzone
  • Avobenzone
  • Octisalate
  • Octocrylene
  • Homosalate
  • Octinoxate
  • Ethylhexyl salicylate

 

Many of these ingredients are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

 

In fact, the EWG have said in this article that oxybenzone is known to easily pass through the skin into the body and, on top of other issues, can block hormones and lead to birth defects. They recommend pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and children, stay away from sunscreens containing oxybenzone.

 

NB: Some sunscreens claiming to be “natural” or “mineral” sunscreens contain some of these ingredients, so it’s really up to us to check the ingredients before buying.

 

Who Else is This Harming?

Hawaii were the first country to ban ozybenzone from sunscreens because of its effects on the coral reefs and sea creatures.

 

According to Marinesafe.com, oxybenzone can have the following effects:

  • Inhibits embryonic development in sea urchins
  • Causes gender shifts in fish (male fish take on female characteristics and female fish have reduced ability to produce offspring – could this be affecting humans too?)
  • Carcinogenic activity in mammals

 

If this is how it affects fish and coral, why on earth would we want it on our children’s bodies?

 

What’s Happening When We Use Chemical Sunscreens?

  1. As is probably obvious, by slathering ourselves and our children with chemical sunscreens, we are increasing our risk of illness by willingly allowing toxins to enter our body. These toxins get trapped inside the body as they block the pores and the lymph system, making it extremely difficult for the body’s detoxification system to eliminate them. This leads to a build-up of toxins, which leads to what we call “toxic load” – IE when the liver can no longer handle the level of toxins in our bodies (from skin products, food, environmental toxins, pharmaceuticals etc) and the only way for the body to deal with this is by onset of whichever illness we’re genetically predisposed to.
  2. When we block our skin from the sun, we’re preventing the essential Vitamin D from being absorbed by the body. Historically, from an evolutionary perspective, we have needed to be in direct sunlight in order to absorb the optimal levels of Vitamin D needed for us to function properly. Without optimal Vitamin D levels, most of our body’s processes will be compromised, beginning with our immune systems. 
  3. The chronic, misuse of conventional sunscreen is leading us to believe we can be in the sun even at peak times of the strongest UV rays, because we believe the sunscreen is protecting us or “blocking” the sun. What we need to do instead, is to understand how to be in the sun safely, without compromising our health with toxic chemicals as a result.

 

So What Can We Do?

I will list below my favourite mineral sunscreens, but I want to stress that sunscreen is not the first form of sun protection.

 

We NEED the sun in order to survive and thrive. We absolutely have to be exposing ourselves to it to reap its benefits, especially Vitamin D synthesis and absorption.

 

Believe it or not, what you eat and how you live will play a bigger part in how your skin reacts to the sun.

 

With the right foods that promote healthy processes, such as foods high in omega-3, you’ll find that your skin fares better in the sun. 

 

Another mind-blowing bit of information is that that more toxins you have in your body from food and lifestyle, the more prone you will be to burning. Take note of this!

 

Here’s what I do to ensure safe sun exposure and reduce chance of burning:

 

  • Year-round, I eat plenty of omega-3 fatty acids (nuts, olive oil, flax seeds and oil, avocados, eggs, organic grass-fed butter). This helps me absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D & K, and helps my body synthesise Vitamin D from the sun more easily
  • I make sure to supplement with Vitamin D & K2 during the winter months 
  • I get enough Vitamin C in my diet and supplement with whole food Vitamin C to keep inflammation down and boost immunity, as well as helping to absorb other minerals
  • Anything inflammatory will increase risk of sunburn. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is essential: limiting processed food, sugar and gluten, as well as eating anti-inflammatory foods and organic food (which reduces our exposure to toxins)
  • Getting enough adaptogens in my diet such as ashwaganda and medicinal mushrooms
  • Getting plenty of magnesium

 

All these points are extremely important. Once you have implemented these, move on to worrying about sunscreens!

 

What Not to Do

Please don’t think that if you follow the above steps and choose a nice, natural sunscreen that you’ll miraculously be protected from burning. Be sun-smart: 

 

  • Get out when near-infrared light is strongest: early morning light, or towards sunset – this is when we absorb the most Vitamin D! 
  • Get at least 20 minutes of sunscreen-free time in the sun before applying even natural sunscreens
  • Once you feel you’ve had enough sun, stay in the shade and wear a hat
  • Stay out of the sun – to an extent – when the UV rays are highest on very hot days. Get your sun early, get enough, then cover up 

 

Which Mineral Sunscreens to Use

As I mentioned above, some sunscreens claiming to be natural or mineral may still contain some of the above ingredients, so please be vigilant and check.

 

Here are some of my personal favourites that we use for our family:

 

 

Summary

The sun is your friend. You need it to survive. Our fear of the sun and our complete panic at letting children be in the sun without sunscreen is causing an increase in cancers and autoimmune diseases, not reducing them.

 

Use the tips above to be sun smart.

 

Ditch toxin-laden sunscreens and opt for a good quality, mineral sunscreen.

 

Get enough healthy fats in your diet and remember your lifestyle will play a part in how much Vitamin D you absorb from the sun, and how much you will burn. You don’t need synthetic vitamin D in supplement form; you only need enough omega-3 (which I make sure to get ample amount of through taking this cod liver oil), in order to be able to synthesise vitamin D from the sun.

 

Above all, remember that as with everything when it comes to wellness, it’s your responsibility. Choosing to use toxin-laden sunscreens as opposed to following all the above, is making a choice of convenience, and that never reaps wellness rewards.

 

Happy sunning!

LV♾️

 

Ps if you want to take it one step further (and why not), find some time to sun your genitals – the benefits are endless! Just check out my podcast with Kim Anami to find out more!

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