This is part 3 of 3 in the Sunshine Series. Part 1 is here, and Part 2 is here.
Some people say sunscreen actually does more harm than good as stated in this article. If you read the article you will see two arguments against sunscreen. First is that it blocks your body from getting sun rays which help you produce Vitamin D, a deficiency that can bring about cancer and other conditions. As mentioned in the previous blog in this series that little detail can easily be fixed by taking a Vitamin D supplement. The second concern is that your skin will absorb toxic chemicals that are in the sunscreen. Most people think of their skin as a sort of armor, however this is not necessarily the case, so this point is valid. Your skin can absorb a surprising amount of toxins from topical solutions, sprays, and even bathwater. I’ll admit that cosmetics and skin science is not my area of expertise, so to shed some light on the subject I’m reposting an old blog that Charlotte wrote at JavaFoto about sunscreen.
In an effort to improve my health while also enjoying the outdoors, I started walking during my lunch hour with a friend from work Sokbun. During our walk today, she asked me what sunscreen brand I used. Well, I use Boots Botanics on and off but mostly off since it is a bit greasy. I usually mix it with the regular moisturizer that I love and it sort of works. It has been so nice and sunny lately so I think it is time to get back into a regular sunscreen routine. She mentioned “California Baby” was recommended by Skin Deep. This website was created by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to promote awareness of cosmetic safety. I searched the site and found it to be a good resource for both safety and effectiveness. Well, time to get a search party going…
First candidate: ALBA BOTANICA SUN: MINERAL SUNSCREEN – FRAGRANCE FREE SPF 18 available at Amazon.com
Review: Great rating by EWG except for the lower SPF. I was hoping the lower SPF would make it lighter but it is still thick. Much lighter than the SPF30 but still hard to apply evenly It seems that this would be typical for non-chemical sunscreen.
Epionce Active Shield Lotion SPF 30+
Review: This one is lighter and spreads evenly but has a greasy feel to it. An hour later, it still felt greasy. I also noticed that the fine lines on my face became more prominent. EWG did not have any ratings for this brand. I got the sample from VanderVeer Center and the “set” of skincare products costs $195 for a six-month supply. I guess it could be worth it if the products work wonders for your skin. It didn’t on mine. I did like their regular moisturizer. It was light and made my skin soft.
I decided that I might be better off to go with a “middle of the road” product so I went for the classic Cetaphil.
Review: A little bit thicker but very similar to Epionce without the greasy feel It did feel greasy at first but after a few minutes it settled down. Also, I had to make sure my skin was not dry, otherwise, the sunscreen would cake up a little bit in the flaky areas. This is the one I like best so far. I will stick to this for now until a better one comes along. EWG rated it as safe except for the last ingredient Triethanolamine. They also did not like the low SPF but for everyday use, I am not too concerned. For extended outdoor exposure, I would reach for the Alba sunscreen.
When it comes to sun protection the stakes can be high whether you do or you don’t use it. I’d recommend reading up at the Environmental Working Groups Sunscreen Guide, and about Skin Cancer at the American Cancer Society, and then make a decision for yourself. Probably the best sun protection is to just cover up, but even clothing can let damaging UV rays in. According to this site dark clothing provides better sun protection than lighter clothing, but since they absorb more sunlight dark clothes tend to be hotter. That is why people in the tropics often wear lighter clothing. A way around the clothing dilemma is to buy clothing that has UV protection built into the fabric. These can be found at sporting goods stores like REI.
There are a few other areas of concern with sun protection that many people neglect or forget about. Snow and water can reflect sunlight upwards causing you to burn in unexpected places, and faster than normal. You will burn faster at high altitudes where there is less atmosphere to block the rays. When you are submerged in water your skin will still burn. You can get burned on cloudy or cold days. Your eyes can get sunburned causing serious damage, so its always best to wear shades that have UV protection and wrap around or block UV rays from the side. Last but not least your skin will burn faster when its dry; from a dry climate, dehydration, swimming, or any other activity that robs your skin of its natural moisture. If you do get burned try some of these remedies to ease the pain.
I feel that when it comes to sunscreen the pros outweigh the cons. I use sunscreen regularly, but also try to cover up with long sleeves and pants when possible, along with a complementary sun hat and UV protective sun glasses. My face is particularly sensitive to sunscreen and will break out horribly if I use anything that contains oil, which will clog my pores. I’ve found the brand that works best for my face is Eucerin Sensitive Skin Sun protection, I usually get 30 SPF. Although it ranks as middle of the road health-wise according to the EWG Sunscreen Guide, it’s still better than most of the usual suspects. It’s also oil and fragrance free which is gentle on my skin. I will typically dilute it with a little water before putting it on my face so that it spreads more evenly and lighter. Since Eucerin is a bit expensive I usually use something else for my arms and legs when necessary. That will typically be whatever Charlotte recommends for me, or happens to have on the shelf at the time. From her “Skin Deep” blog post I’m guessing that her selections are probably better than anything I’d pick out.
I remember seeing billboards with the Coppertone girl in Florida when I was growing up, but despite that advertising campaign the message to wear sun protection didn’t sink in until I was an adult. It is really up to the parents and authority figures to get educated on skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer. Then make an informed decision on how to protect themselves, and their children whose skin is much more vulnerable and sensitive than adults. Don’t take my word for it though. If you think I’m making a bunch of fuss about nothing then just ask the Aussies who have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Crikey!
Although not very stylish, this sunhat is much better looking than Melanoma spots. Speaking of spots, pay no attention to the ugly clear cutting tracks in the picture, it’s all part of the logging industries plan to destroy the planet.
