The Natural Prescription is a monthly feature offering Naturopathic medical advice on pertinent issues for the health conscious woman.
Believe it or not, Summer Solstice is just around the corner. This cool and rainy Spring still has us cruising around in our jackets and boots, but June 21 is almost here, and that means that the sunshine must be coming too. As you get ready for beachcombing, biking, boating, and generally enjoying every last ray of summer sunshine, take some time to consider which sunscreen you’ll toss into your bag.
Of course, we’ve all heard about the importance of sunscreen to help prevent sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. But have you heard that sunscreen really isn’t the best protection? And did you know that some sunscreens may actually do more harm than good? Read on, savvy women, read on.
The ever-fabulous Environmental Working Group recently released their 2010 Sunscreen Guide. In their press release last month, they wrote:
The fourth annual Sunscreen Guide by Environmental Working Group (EWG) gives low marks to the current crop of sunscreen products, with a few notable exceptions. EWG researchers recommend only 39, or 8 percent, of 500 beach and sport sunscreens on the market this season.
Those EWG researchers are tough on the sunscreen industry, but rightly so.
There is no doubt that UV radiation in the form of UVA and UVB rays does cause sunburn, aging, and skin cancer. However, most sunscreens block only UVB rays and, therefore, only prevent sunburn and some forms of skin cancer. This is a major problem because UVA rays are associated with melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
Recent studies have actually found that the highest rates of melanoma occur among people who use the most sunscreen. Why? Researchers suggest that sunscreens give us a false sense of security, allowing us to stay out in the direct sun for too long without getting sunburned. However, during those long hours in the sun, UVA rays are getting through and causing a lot of skin damage that we don’t see until years down the road. In addition, many sunscreens actually contain chemicals that may promote the development of skin cancer. (Yes, seriously, more on this later.)
The very best defense against getting too much harmful UV radiation is covering up. This means using protective clothing, shade, and good timing. A long-sleeved shirt or beach cover-up, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses provide excellent protection against UV rays. Oooh…sounds like a shopping trip to me. When you’re taking it easy outside, be sure to do so in the shade under a tree or umbrella. If you have a choice, be active in the early morning or late afternoon because UV radiation peaks between 10 am and 3 pm.
We cannot and should not always avoid the sun, so choosing a good sunscreen is essential. The first step is to be sure that you use a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen. This means that the sunscreen provides protection against UVA and UVB rays, so it will prevent sunburns AND provide better protection against all forms of skin cancer.
The second step is to consider the ingredients in your sunscreen and whether they might do more harm than good. When shopping for a sunscreen, read ingredient labels very carefully. In general, we have a choice between chemical formulations, mineral formulations (which contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide), or combined chemical and mineral formulations.
One of the most common sunscreen chemicals, oxybenzone, is a synthetic estrogen that may actually contribute to skin cancer by releasing free radicals. In addition, it is easily absorbed and acts as a hormone disruptor after entering the bloodstream. It should absolutely be avoided. Many other sunscreen chemicals have similar problems.
But vitamins are ok, right? Not always. Recent studies are showing that sunscreens containing vitamin A in the form of “retinyl palmitate” may cause more rapid development of skin cancer and other skin lesions. Many sunscreen manufacturers include vitamin A in their formulas for its antioxidant activity, but this plan seems to have backfired. Antioxidants like vitamin A do help to prevent all kinds of cancer, but you should get your daily dose of this vitamin by eating lots of orange and red vegetables, not by rubbing it on your skin.
So what’s a girl to do? I recommend that you choose mineral formulations: sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide instead of chemicals. These minerals provide excellent UVA and UVB protection and are much safer than any chemical formulation on the US market. Many women don’t choose mineral sunscreens because of the opaque white appearance that they may cause, but newer mineral sunscreens are now available with nano- or micro-sized particles that help reduce this appearance. It is important to note that these tiny mineral particles may be harmful if inhaled, so please choose creams instead of sprays or powders.
If you absolutely can’t stand mineral sunscreens, then choose chemical formulations that contain only avobenzone and/or Mexoryl SX as the active ingredients. These are the only chemical blocks that truly provide UVA and UVB protection. These chemicals also stay where they belong – on the skin – so they don’t act as hormone disruptors.
In general, whichever sunscreen you choose, it should be a water-resistant sunscreen that is SPF 30-50. The FDA says that SPF 50+ is totally bogus, so don’t buy it. Always apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and re-apply at least every 2 hours or after sweating, swimming, or towel drying. Be sure that you’re using at least one ounce (about a palmful) for adequate coverage if most of your skin is exposed.
Please remember that sunshine is also good for you. Vitamin D is a nutrient that you can only make when your skin is exposed to direct sunlight. This vitamin is essential for healthy bones and proper immune function. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with multiple types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis. Sunscreen blocks your skin’s ability to make vitamin D. Therefore, it is important to spend 15 minutes per day outside without sunscreen to support adequate vitamin D production.
I recommend that you get even more information on sunscreen safety by checking out the Environmental Working Group’s 2010 Sunscreen Guide. They have lists of the best sunscreens, the worst sunscreens, SPF lip balms, SPF moisturizers, and SPF makeup. You can find your favorite sunscreen and see how it measures up. They also have an excellent list of other sunscreen chemicals to avoid. These researchers have worked hard to put so much information at your fingertips, so use it! Your skin will thank you.
Enjoy these beautiful summer days, take excellent care of your skin, and spread the word to all your girls!
Dr. Amy Hawkins
Dr. Amy Hawkins is a Naturopathic Physician specializing in women’s health and pediatrics. She has been studying natural medicine for over 15 years. She enjoys helping women discover their own innate healing abilities and empowering them to be their best inside and out. Dr. Hawkins was awarded her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in 2007. She is a licensed primary care provider in Washington State and currently sees patients at Naturopathic Family Medicine in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. For more information, please visit www.naturopathicfamilymedicine.com.
Before you leave a comment, be sure to sign up for a Gravatar.
dianna millard
06.17.2010
This was so totally informingl Thank you for taking the time to dispel myths, advertisements and misinformation spread through the years concerning sunscreens! And also thank you for putting in “non-doctor” terminology so we alol “get it”! Here’s to gorgeous, non-cancerous skin for a lifetime!
Shannon Shackelford
06.17.2010
Thank you Dr. Hawkins for this ever so informative article. I appreciate your hard work, research, and sharing of your knowledge. I look forward to learning more from you in the future.
Wayne Gaddy
06.18.2010
Dr. Hawkins – As a fair skin male, this is useful for me also! Great to see you in print! Keep up the good work.
Dr. Hawkins
06.28.2010
Thanks for the feedback! Glad you’re enjoying the info AND the summer sun!
Ashley
07.06.2010
Great info.!
V.J. Lindenschmidt
07.12.2010
Great article Amy! I just went to the beach today. I will definitely be checking my sunscreen for those chemicals, especially the synthetic estrogen. It looks like they are not all the same as most people, including me, would suspect. Thank you for the insight sis!