Toxicologist Reveals: 6 Things You Should Know About Sunscreen

Summary

Dr. Ivon Burkart, a PhD toxicologist, reveals the surprising truth about common sunscreen ingredients. After years of research, she highlights how certain ingredients like retinyl palmitate can promote skin cancer, and how chemicals in sunscreens can enter the bloodstream, leading to potential harm. She discusses hidden fragrance chemicals, inhalation risks from aerosol sunscreens, and the importance of lifestyle strategies to protect your skin. Dr. Burkart shares safer alternatives, emphasizing mineral sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide, fewer ingredients, and third-party certifications to ensure safety. This video provides a thorough guide for making healthier sunscreen choices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Some ingredients in conventional sunscreens may not protect your skin and could even harm your health, including hormone disruption, oxidative stress, and accelerated tumor growth under sunlight exposure.
• 😀 Retinyl palmitate, a common sunscreen ingredient, can break down into harmful free radicals when exposed to sunlight, potentially increasing the risk of skin cancer and skin aging.
• 😀 Sunscreen chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream, potentially causing systemic damage. Some commonly used ingredients, such as avobenzone and oxybenzone, exceed FDA safety thresholds and may disrupt hormones, particularly in children and pregnant women.
• 😀 'Fragrance-free' sunscreens may still contain hidden fragrance chemicals, which can be harmful and contribute to endocrine disruption, especially with repeated exposure.
• 😀 Aerosol sunscreens present a hidden risk of inhalation toxicity. When inhaled, sunscreen chemicals can enter the bloodstream and cause respiratory issues or even more severe health effects.
• 😀 Lifestyle sun protection strategies, like avoiding peak sun hours and wearing protective clothing, are just as important as sunscreen and can reduce your reliance on chemical filters.
• 😀 Consuming antioxidant-rich foods like tomatoes, leafy greens, and berries can help your skin respond better to sunlight and reduce oxidative stress, supporting skin health from the inside out.
• 😀 Safer sunscreens are available, and choosing mineral sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient is a safer option, as it physically blocks UV rays without absorbing into the skin.
• 😀 Avoid sunscreens containing harmful chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and retinyl palmitate. These ingredients may disrupt hormones and contribute to skin irritation.
• 😀 Choose sunscreen products with transparency in ingredient lists and third-party certifications like USDA Organic or Cosmos Eosert, and opt for simple, minimalist formulations with fewer ingredients to ensure safety.

Q & A

Why do some sunscreen ingredients promote skin cancer?

Certain sunscreen ingredients, like retinyl palmitate, become unstable when exposed to sunlight, breaking down into free radicals that damage DNA, lipids, and proteins. This can increase the risk of tumor formation and accelerate skin aging, making these ingredients counterproductive to their intended purpose of skin protection.

What are the risks associated with sunscreen chemicals being absorbed into the bloodstream?

When sunscreen chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream, they can travel throughout the body, potentially causing harm to various organs. The FDA has found that common sunscreen ingredients exceed safety thresholds in the bloodstream, raising concerns about their potential to disrupt hormones and cause other systemic health issues, particularly in children and pregnant women.

Is fragrance-free sunscreen always safe?

No, fragrance-free sunscreen is not a guarantee of safety. Many products labeled as fragrance-free may still contain undisclosed fragrance chemicals that can cause health issues like endocrine disruption and carcinogenic effects. These chemicals are often listed as vague terms like 'fragrance' or 'perfume,' and their potential risks aren't always disclosed.

What hidden health risks are associated with aerosol sunscreens?

Aerosol sunscreens pose a hidden risk of inhalation toxicity. When you spray sunscreen, you create an aerosol mist that can be inhaled into the lungs, where chemicals can enter the bloodstream and potentially cause respiratory issues, brain effects, and systemic damage. These ingredients are not always evaluated for inhalation safety, making them especially risky for children and those with respiratory conditions.

How can lifestyle changes help protect your skin from the sun?

In addition to using sunscreen, lifestyle changes like avoiding peak sunlight hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), wearing protective clothing, and consuming antioxidant-rich foods can help reduce skin damage. These strategies support the skin's natural resilience and reduce reliance on chemical-based sunscreens.

What types of foods can help protect skin from UV damage?

Foods rich in antioxidants, like tomatoes (lycopene), leafy greens (lutein and zeaxanthin), and fruits like berries (anthocyanins), help reduce oxidative stress caused by UV radiation. Other foods like pumpkins, carrots, and sweet potatoes (beta-carotene) can provide photoprotective effects to the skin.

What sunscreen ingredients should be avoided for better health protection?

To avoid harmful health risks, you should steer clear of sunscreens containing ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and retinyl palmitate. These chemicals have been linked to endocrine disruption and other health issues. Always opt for sunscreens with minimal ingredients and those that avoid chemical filters.

Why is it important to choose mineral sunscreens over chemical ones?

Mineral sunscreens, particularly those with non-nano zinc oxide, offer physical UV protection by sitting on the skin's surface and reflecting UVA and UVB rays. Unlike chemical sunscreens, they don't absorb into the skin, making them safer and less likely to cause harmful systemic effects or hormonal disruption.

What are the benefits of non-nano zinc oxide in sunscreens?

Non-nano zinc oxide is a physical sunscreen ingredient that sits on the skin's surface and reflects harmful UV rays. It is stable under sunlight, non-irritating, and does not penetrate the skin barrier, making it a safer option compared to nano zinc oxide, which can be absorbed into the skin.

How can consumers identify safer sunscreens?

To identify safer sunscreens, look for products that list every ingredient clearly, without proprietary blends or hidden fragrances. Check for third-party certifications like USDA Organic or Cosmos Eosert, and choose sunscreens with minimal, non-toxic ingredients. Also, avoid aerosol forms, which increase inhalation risks.