First off, I’m going to say that this post is in no way discouraging you from wearing sunscreen. I am; however, challenging you to think about and apply it differently.
Recent findings by Free Radical Biology and Medicine show that sunscreen may cause more damage than good. The study suggests that while sunscreen may help fight free radical damage, it may cause free radical damage as well. In fact, some ingredients may cause more free radicals to form than no sunscreen at all!
What happens is that when sunscreen is applied, and not frequently reapplied, some ingredients may break down and form cancer causing free radicals. The three commonly found ingredients that do this are octyl methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, and benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone). When these ingredients break down and absorb into the skin, they form molecules with unpaired electrons (free radicals). When a molecule has an unpaired electron, it then goes on a mission to find its pair. It is this extremely disruptive and can cause our own skin cells to mutate (cancer).
Now that you know this, don’t vow to never again wear sunscreen. Instead, try some of these effective solutions.
These findings also show that when sunscreens are applied according to directions, as in, applied every couple hours, the breakdown of chemicals is greatly reduced. Also, if you apply a strong antioxidant like Vitamin C Serum to your skin before applying sunscreen, it can effectively counteract the formation of free radicals from your sunscreen and the sun. If you don’t have an antioxidant serum or moisturizer, there are lots of sunscreens being released now that have antioxidants already included in their formulas. Some examples are Clinique’s Super City Block, Neutrogena Healthy Defense, and Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream (my favorite). If you are on the search for an antioxidant boost in addition to your sunscreen, try Smashbox Photo Finish, Boscia Antioxidant Recovery Treatment C: Age Control, or Dr. Brandt Lineless Vitamin C Serum. You can find all of these products at Sephora except the Neutrogena Healthy Defense which you can find at any Rite-Aid or other drug store.
Thanks Emily!
So the ones with zinc and titanium are cool? I hate the way they make my skin feel, but every dermatologist recommends them. I recently found one made by ELTA that does NOT make me break out!! hooray.
Love,
Olivia
Unfortunately, sunscreen just feels kind of gross. The Thomas Roth one is supposed to feel like nothing on the skin, so maybe get a sample at sephora and see if that makes you break out. If not, then the ELTA one sounds great! Good luck, Olivia, and thanks for being a loyal reader!
What about the vitamin D benefits of the sun though? I just found out that I am extremely deficient in vitamin D, which has lead to some nasty health complications, and read that people should at least get 20 min of sun exposure a day to maintain a healthy level of vitamin D.
Hey Stephanie! Indeed, many studies have found that 15-20 minutes of sun exposure a few times a week allows the body to produce enough vitamin D to ward of a slew of health issues (did you know that Seattle has a higher rate of vitamin d deficiency related diseases?). Fortunately, sunscreen still allows enough UVB (the rays that facilitate vitamin d production) into the body to maintain that healthy level if you spend a lot of time outside. If you spend most of your time indoors, many doctors say that 15-20 minutes A FEW TIMES A WEEK without sunscreen is safe and will get that vitamin d you need. But many people overdo the unprotected sun exposure. I’d say, read a book outside for 15 minutes without sunscreen if you are deficient…but then once that time is up, slather on that sunscreen! Hope that helps, Stephanie! Thanks for your question!
Fascinating. I’ve been quite obsessed with sunblock lately. I recently bought a drugstore lotion with SPF 15. I wonder if it could be causing more damage because I never reapply. I’ll have to check the ingredients.