Sunblock
The Sun is powerful and we love the warmth and light it gives us, as well as converting its energy to electricity, but it also contains UV light that is damaging to our homes (paints, PVC and plastics) - and to our skin.
After all the rain and the time we had to spend indoors, we are all hanging out for a few moments in nature. It’s wonderful to soak up the sun, but - beware. It causes cancer and ages the skin prematurely. Thanks to our use of CFC propellants, the ozone layer is much reduced and can’t protect us from the UV rays, as much as it used to. We need to protect ourselves with sunscreen.
The Wellbeing Magazine recently published an article about Sunscreen, which I highly recommend.
Balancing the need for protection versus the potential damage from the chemicals in the sunscreen, research seems to come down on the side of the sunscreen: UV causes DNA damage and cancer, chemicals only impact on the hormonal system (if that) and have minimal allergic impact.
Of course, we have a choice to use a low-impact sunscreen. It is always best to go for ‘physical’ barriers, like titanium/zinc dioxide. They don’t penetrate the skin, as long as they are not nano-technology, where they penetrate into the outer skin layer. However, those sunblocks are visible and influence our looks, which makes them less popular.
I must comment on the impact sunscreen has on the environment. All ingredients wash off, and the oils float on top of the water. This kills insect larvae, reduces oxygen intake, - and gets into the food chains. One simple way to avoid damaging the environment, is to make sure you wait for the sunblock to soak in for 20 minutes. Do not go into the water straight away! That practise is also wasteful, as you’ll have to reapply straight away, and it minimises your own protection.
The Choice magazine tested sunscreens, and some sensitive ones came highly recommended.
In summary -
Purchase a ‘sensitive skin’ sunscreen
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen
Use the highest SPF, like SPF 50
Use ‘physical’ active ingredients
Let is soak in, before going into the water
Use long sleeves, pants, hat, rash-vest, whenever you can.
A quote from the Wellbeing Magazine, below. I suggest you copy it into your phone’s notes, so you have it handy in the shop.
Ingredients to avoid
Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is the most toxic sunscreen ingredient in use and is associated with causing allergies and disrupting hormonal communication and actions in the body. Studies have shown oxybenzone to be linked with causing lower testosterone in males, increased risk of breast cancer and endometriosis in females and cancer in rats after high exposure. Oxybenzone may potentially exhibit greater harm to children and should therefore be avoided completely.
Octinoxate
Octinoxate (octyl methoxycinnamate) is an organic UV filter. Animal studies showed that octinoxate impacts hormonal communication and thyroid hormone production. Octinoxate has been banned in many countries due to its negative impact on coral reefs and sea life.
Homosalate
Homosalate is an organic UV filter that currently is not confirmed to be safe for topical use. Homosalate is an endocrine disruptor and causes toxic by-products when broken down in the body.
Octisalate
Octisalate is an organic UV filter that has been shown to cause allergic reactions and may have endocrine-disrupting effects, resulting in this chemical being able to weakly bind to oestrogen receptors in the body.
Octocrylene
Octocrylene is an organic compound that is associated with skin allergies and endocrine disruption and is harmful to coral reefs and sea life.
Avobenzone
Avobenzone is an organic filter that is often used in broad-spectrum sunscreens for its UVA protection. By-products of avobenzone have been shown to cause allergic reactions and impact hormonal communication and functions in the body.
Other links-
Unfortunately, most websites just provide brief information from the packaging with shopping links.. nothing more than advertising and not very helpful. We need an independent, actual test!
https://www.womenshealth.com.au/best-natural-physical-mineral-sunscreens-australia/
https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/beauty-and-personal-care/skin-care-and-cosmetics/articles/face-sunscreens-and-spf-moisturisers
I hope that helps, - the world is a complicated place, isn’t it……
Enjoy a happy and safe holiday season, and a peaceful Christmas!
