The Drawbacks Of Sunscreen Lotion
It is undeniable that sunscreen lotions and sunblock lotions can help prevent sunburn and skin damage. Using sunscreen lotion (topical sunscreen) can be an important precautionary measure in protecting sensitive skin from the harmful effects of the sun, including burning, aging, and skin cancer.
Many experts recommend the use of a non-toxic sunscreen lotion whenever there is a chance of getting sunburned. The problem is that non-toxic sunscreens can be difficult to find.
Many sunscreen lotions are unstable, toxic, and only moderately effective against UVA rays.
For further information on sunscreen toxicity, sunscreen ingredients to avoid, and other concerns about sunscreen lotions, expand the respective sections below. The Recommendations section at the bottom has information on which sunscreen lotion active ingredients you should use.
Most Sunscreen Lotions Are Not Very Effective Against UVA Rays
There are drawbacks to the use of topical sunscreen. Most sunscreen lotions help block or absorb UVB rays, but don’t do an effective job of filtering UVA rays. UVB causes sunburn, but UVA penetrates deeper into your skin and may be accountable for a large share of the blame in the aging of your skin. In fact, UVA rays not only damage your DNA, but also harm other structures in your skin such as collagen and elastin, leading to many of the negative effects of sunlight—including aging—without the visual signs of burning! This means that even with the use of many sunscreen lotions you are still vulnerable; even worse, you may be sustaining damage in the sun without even realizing it!
SPF Does Not Indicate UVA Protection
Furthermore, SPF (Sun Protection Factor) only characterizes UVB protection, not a sunscreen’s ability to protect from UVA rays. Sunscreen lotion manufacturers may make “broad spectrum” claims or state that a sunscreen protects from both UVB and UVA rays, but the level of UVA coverage may be unknown because UVA protection is not quantified by SPF. In other words, a sunscreen may be listed as SPF 50 but may or may not provide much protection from UVA rays. Consequently, you may think you are fully protecting yourself with a high SPF, which leads you to be in the sun longer and actually do more severe damage to your skin via UVA exposure!
Some Active Ingredients In Sunscreen Lotions Are Chemically Unstable
It has been clinically shown that most conventional sunscreen lotions break down in the sun. But not only do common sunscreen components including avobenzone, oxybenzone, dioxybenzone, octocrylene, and others lose their effectiveness when exposed to the sun, they are actually unstable—breaking down and creating free radicals and reactive oxygen species. These harmful effects have been demonstrated in many studies, demonstrating the damaging effects of photo-excited sunscreen ingredients on living tissue and implicating these chemicals as potential photocarcinogens!
Similarly, Vitamin A (retinal) and Vitamin A derivatives (including retinol and retinyl palmitate) in sunscreen lotions have also been shown to be photo-unstable. Many popular sunscreen products contain Vitamin A or its derivatives, which research has recently revealed may actually increase the damage to your skin.
Potentially, sunscreen could actually be contributing to the damage of the very skin it was intended to protect! Warning: This also applies to lotions and cosmetics that contain sunscreen and/or Vitamin A.
Some Ingredients In Sunscreen Lotions Are Toxic
Some of the ingredients in sunscreen lotions penetrate your skin and enter your bloodstream. These unhealthy ingredients can cause unintended effects, including interfering with your body’s natural hormone systems.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), oxybenzone can be a hormone disruptor; its detection in pregnant women correlates with lower baby birth weight. Furthermore, according to the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., about 9% of the oxybenzone applied to skin soaks through it into the bloodstream. Sunscreens also commonly contain many structurally and functionally similar chemicals to oxybenzone, including dioxybenzone and other benzene derivatives, which act in a similar manner to oxybenzone in your body. In fact, there are many sunscreen ingredients to avoid, including the following.
Some of the potentially toxic chemicals in sunscreens include:
- Avobenzone (Parsol 1789, Eusolex 9020, Escalol 517)
- Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3, Eusolex 4360, Escalol 567)
- Dioxybenzone (benzophenone-8)
- Octocrylene
- Sulisobenzone (benzophenone-4)
- Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (ensulizole)
- Homosalate
- Cinoxate
- PABA (4-Aminobenzoic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid)
- Padimate O (OD-PABA, octyldimethyl PABA, Escalol 507)
- Trolamine salicylate
A more recent trend has been towards “natural” sunscreen lotions containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. One aesthetic problem, however, is that they do not absorb into your skin very well, resulting in a white-looking film when they are rubbed onto your skin. In response, manufacturers have started utilizing micronized (industrially created to be ultra-fine) zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These nanoparticles are more easily absorbed into your skin and don’t appear as white when applied. The problem is that they are also more easily absorbed into your blood stream and may have negative health concerns. Be careful to avoid micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which researchers increasingly believe may have adverse health implications.
Recommendations
While avoiding sun exposure is ideal, using sunscreen lotion is still almost definitely better than getting badly sunburned. But if you need to use a sunscreen lotion, many experts suggest using a product with zinc oxide (or zinc oxide and titanium dioxide together), which offers full-coverage (UVA and UVB) protection from the sun. Zinc oxide also doesn’t seem to have negative health concerns, and has been shown to be much less likely to break down (has greater photo-stability) in the sun than other traditional chemical sunscreens. Make sure, however, that the product you use doesn’t contain any of the potentially toxic compounds discussed in the sections above. Furthermore, choose a product that doesn’t contain retinal, retinol, or retinyl palmitate, and doesn’t use micronized zinc oxide or micronized titanium dioxide.
Even the perfect sunscreen lotion still has some limitations:
- It doesn’t reflect or block all ultraviolet radiation: some still gets through
- It is not exceedingly effective against UVA rays
- It may encourage longer sun exposure and therefore greater sun damage
- It only works on the areas to which it is applied
- It can be difficult to apply
- It can be messy
- It can be visible and unsightly on your skin
- It can be inconvenient to use
- It may prevent the production of Vitamin D
Science shows the ingredients in Sunsafe Rx can be useful for supplemental support by:
- Providing support for your skin and eyes during exposure to environmental stresses
- Being healthy and safe
- Supporting your whole body, not just the areas you can reach
- Not rubbing off
- Not being messy
- Being easy to use
- Allowing your normal production of Vitamin D
Sunsafe Rx is a healthy addition to your everyday anti-aging routine that may also include a zinc oxide/titanium dioxide sunscreen lotion. Of course, you should also use other methods of sun protection (like covering up), and in general avoid excessive sun exposure if at all possible.
Information about the Sunsafe Rx formula >>
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunscreen lotions can have some drawbacks depending on the formulation and skin type. Common issues include a greasy or sticky feel on the skin, difficulty in application, and the need for frequent reapplication every few hours. Some users also find sunscreen inconvenient during outdoor activities because it can wash off with sweat or water.
Sunscreen lotions can have some drawbacks depending on the formulation and skin type. Common issues include a greasy or sticky feel on the skin, difficulty in application, and the need for frequent reapplication every few hours. Some users also find sunscreen inconvenient during outdoor activities because it can wash off with sweat or water.
In some individuals, sunscreen may cause mild to moderate skin reactions such as redness, itching, acne, or irritation. These reactions are often linked to certain chemical ingredients or fragrances used in formulations. However, such effects are not universal and usually depend on individual skin sensitivity, with most people tolerating sunscreen well.
In some individuals, sunscreen may cause mild to moderate skin reactions such as redness, itching, acne, or irritation. These reactions are often linked to certain chemical ingredients or fragrances used in formulations. However, such effects are not universal and usually depend on individual skin sensitivity, with most people tolerating sunscreen well.
Some studies have explored concerns about certain chemical ingredients, such as potential hormone disruption or absorption into the bloodstream. However, regulatory bodies emphasize that current evidence does not confirm harmful effects in approved sunscreen products and recommend continued use for protection.
Some studies have explored concerns about certain chemical ingredients, such as potential hormone disruption or absorption into the bloodstream. However, regulatory bodies emphasize that current evidence does not confirm harmful effects in approved sunscreen products and recommend continued use for protection.
Sunscreen can slightly reduce the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D because it blocks UVB rays, which are required for vitamin D synthesis. However, most experts agree that this effect is minimal in real-life use, and adequate vitamin D can still be obtained through diet or supplements without compromising sun protection.
Sunscreen can slightly reduce the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D because it blocks UVB rays, which are required for vitamin D synthesis. However, most experts agree that this effect is minimal in real-life use, and adequate vitamin D can still be obtained through diet or supplements without compromising sun protection.
Certain sunscreen ingredients have been studied for their potential impact on marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. Research suggests that some chemicals may contribute to coral bleaching and environmental stress in aquatic environments. This has led to increased interest in reef-safe or mineral-based sunscreen alternatives.
Certain sunscreen ingredients have been studied for their potential impact on marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. Research suggests that some chemicals may contribute to coral bleaching and environmental stress in aquatic environments. This has led to increased interest in reef-safe or mineral-based sunscreen alternatives.
