– STOP Using Sunscreen –
A trending myth at the moment is that if you spend just less under 10 minutes uncovered in the sun then you might develop an array of diseases. When in fact, the opposite is true. Few of the beneficial effects of sunlight exposure count, generating the production of vitamin D, supporting bone health, lowering blood pressure, preventing disease, and promoting good mental health. UV rays help stimulate the natural production of serotonin and significantly improves skin conditions, even acne whilst lowering blood pressure. However, the effects of sunscreen are much more negative than those of the sun itself. A major problem is, people tend to use sunscreen in great excess when they shouldn’t be using it at all. Not to mention many are actually allergic to sunscreen products. Why is that? The ingredients oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and avobenzone can still be found in blood weeks after sunscreen use. Due to the health concerns associated with oxybenzone, EWG recommends consumers avoid sunscreens with this product. Octinoxate is a non-mineral UV filter. It is readily absorbed into the skin and continues to be absorbed after the sunscreen has been applied. Animal studies have reported octinoxate has hormone effects on the metabolic system and affects thyroid hormone production, with some evidence for other endocrine targets, including androgen and progesterone signaling. Octinoxate can also cause allergic reactions and to save the worst for last… Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Mineral sunscreens are made with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, usually in the form of nanoparticles. The FDA in 2021 proposed that both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide be classified as GRASE. Evidence suggests that few, if any, zinc or titanium particles penetrate the skin to reach living tissues. Because of the potential of exposure through inhalation, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified titanium dioxide as possibly causing cancer in humans. For this reason, powdered or spray formulations containing titanium dioxide are a concern
