Your sunscreen this past weekend may have harmed you more than it helped you.
You know that white stuff helped you from getting burnt but how healthy is your sunscreen?
Most sunscreens protect well from UVB rays (which cause sunburn). However, many don’t protect well against UVA rays (which can lead to premature aging and/or cancer). UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin because of their longer wavelengths and can even pass through glass (aka your windows).
Did you know your skin absorbs up to 60% of what you put on it? It’s the biggest organ of your body! Which means all the chemicals in your lotions and personal care products most likely will be absorbed by your body. Some of these chemicals, used daily, can build up to be very toxic to the body. Too many toxins bog a body down and there’s a much greater chance of disease & sickness to occur or your body to become allergic to things. In an effort to diminish toxins and promote health in my life, I took a hard look at my sunscreen this year.
Many sources agree these are ingredients you should avoid:
- oxybenzone (aka benzophenone) – an allergen, & hormone disruptor
- octinoxate – a hormone disruptor
- Retinal Palmitate (a form of Vitamin A) – government tests show more skin tumors and lesions on animals treated with this then exposed to sunlight
- Avobenzone – when activated by sunlight there’s evidence that it can cause free-radicals in the body (hello early aging & disease promoting)
- parabens (propylparaben), octy-methoxycinnamate or benzophenone – University of Zurich’s Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology says these chemicals have properties that can disrupt reproductive organs.
We naturally are exposed to some of these chemicals through our environment but the body can be overwhelmed with further absorption of the toxin through the skin.
The best ingredients that help reflect both UVB & UVA and don’t have the health risks listed above are:
- Zinc Oxide
- Titanium Dioxide
I don’t mean to provoke fear but promote awareness. Awareness about what your food and products are made of, where it comes from, and how your health can be affected. Being aware and mindful are the keys.
My last bit of advice is to check the expiration date. The active ingredients in sunscreen have a shelf life of about two years. You never know how long it’s been sitting in the store or warehouse even before it hit the store! Use only sunscreens that have not expired, or better yet, none older than last summer.
This week, I challenge you to throw out your old sunscreens (especially if they are over two years old) and upgrade to a brand that contains ingredients better for your body.
To all my ladies, join me at the end of this month for a Women’s Wellness Weekend Retreat in Beautiful Michigan where you’ll learn to Stress Less and Be More YOU. There’s one spot left so reach out if you’ve been needing time just for YOU.
Hope your weekend is filled with sun & safety!
For More information on Sunscreen check out:
