The Drawbacks Of Sunscreen Lotion

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!

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!

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 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 in the list below.

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.

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.

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.