By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

For most of us Floridians, spraying or slathering on sunscreen is an essential part of our daily routine. Here in the Sunshine State, we’re keenly aware of the reports that sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer.

But does it really?

And what do we really know about the harmful effects of those chemicals that keep us from turning red?

It turns out there’s a lot most people don’t know about the sunscreen they routinely slather on their skin. And, according to a new report by the Environmental Working Group, when it comes to sunscreen, what you don’t know really could hurt you.

Here what you need to know:

1. Sunscreen isn’t the best way to prevent skin cancer. According to the FDA, there’s no hard and fast proof that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer agrees and says that “sunscreens should not be the first choice for skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun.”
2. Sunscreen might even increase the risk of the deadliest type of skin cancer. Researchers are seeing an increase in the risk of melanoma among sunscreen users. No one really knows why, but one reason might be that sunscreen users stay out in the sun longer and absorb more radiation. Ironically, it might also be because free radicals are released when the chemicals in sunscreen break down after they are exposed to sunlight.¹ Free radicals damage DNA and skin cells, accelerate skin aging and cause skin cancer.
3. Sunscreen with a high SPF might not be any better than an SPF 15. You might think that an SPF 30 sunscreen would give you twice the protection you’d get from an SPF 15. But it doesn’t work that way. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an SPF 15 product blocks about 94% of UVB rays, an SPF 30 product blocks 97% of UVB rays and an SPF 50 product blocks about 98% of rays.
4. Too little sun might keep you from getting the vitamin D you need. One of the reasons Americans suffer from chronically low levels of vitamin D is because of our addiction to sunscreen. Sunscreen blocks the body’s formation of this important nutrient. And this nutrient strengthens bones and the immune system, reduces the risk of various cancers (including breast, colon, kidney and ovarian cancers) and regulates at least 1,000 different genes governing virtually every tissue in the body. To make sure they are getting enough D, I always tell my patients to spend about 15 minutes in the sun every day before they apply their sunscreen. I also recommend taking at least 2,000 IU of supplemental vitamin D daily. If you suspect that you’re deficient in the sunshine vitamin, ask your doctor for a vitamin D test to make sure your dosage is high enough to optimize your levels.
5. A common sunscreen ingredient derived from vitamin A may speed up the development of cancer. Putting retinyl palmitate on your skin and then going out into the sun creates free radicals that may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions by up to 21%.² This is a huge problem since the sunscreen industry adds retinyl palmitate A to 30% of all sunscreens.
6. Many sunscreen chemicals mimic estrogen. Many of the most popular sunscreens are packed with xenoestrogens (estrogen-like chemicals that may disrupt normal hormone signaling in the body). Because these chemicals aren’t stable and can penetrate the skin deeply, they can build up in organ tissues of the body. Over time, these chemicals have a harmful effect on fertility, can increase weight gain and put you at a greater risk for hormone-dependent cancers.³
7. Many sunscreens contain nano-size ingredients that raise potential concerns. Micronized and nano-scale zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreen provide strong UVA protection and are contained in many top-rated products. But repeated studies have found these ingredients can pass through sun-damaged skin where they are absorbed into the bloodstream. Even though both of these compounds are natural minerals, there is some evidence that when they are micronized they may cause DNA damage. And that’s never a good thing.⁴

So how does your sunscreen stack up?

Check it against EWG’s comprehensive list of safe sunscreens. You can find the updated list by clicking here.

References:

1. Paris C. A blocked diketo form of avobenzone: photostability, photosensitizing properties and triplet quenching by a triazine-derived UVB-filter. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 2009;85:178-184.
2. Burrnett ME. Current sunscreen controversies: a critical review. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine. 2011;27:58-67.
3. Schlumpf M, Cotton B, Conscience M, et al. “In vitro and in vivo estrogenicity of UV sunscreens.” Environmental Health Perspectives. 2001;109:239-244.
4. Serpone N, Salinaro A, Emeline A, et al. “Deleterious effects of sunscreen titanium dioxide nanoparticles on DNA: efforts to limit DNA damage by particle surface modification.” Proc. SPIE. 2001; 4258: 86-98