Can sunscreen harm you?

There is no question about it…sunscreen is crucial and absolutely essential in preventing aging and skin cancer. But before you lather up this this summer, take a quick moment with us to learn about some of the harmful ingredients found in today’s chemical sunscreens.

According to Skin Inc. Magazine, chemical sunscreens can actually change the way your skin naturally produces melanin and can possibly even cause long-term cancers other than those of the skin. Some studies have even showed these harmful chemicals can cause skin cancer cells to develop more easily due to their free radical-generating properties. The list is long of the chemicals but the following are the most common:

1. Octinoxate(octyl methoxycinnamate)- an estrogenic chemical that has been linked to hormonal imbalance and increased rates of cancer.

2. Oxybenzone (a derivative of benzophone)- a chemical that may cause hormone disruption. In Europe, products with 0.5% or more of this chemical must come with a warning label.

3. Avobenzone- a free radical-generator that absorbs UV radiation energy and since it cannot destroy it converts the light energy to chemical energy which is topically released as free radicals in the body.

Scientists are currently studying the effects of these chemicals in the bloodstream, being that they are easily absorbed into the skin. The longer they sit on the skin, the higher the threat they pose.

At Lotus, we believe in using 100% natural SPF 30 or above sunscreens that contain the physical-blockers minerals zinc and titanium oxides. These have be proven to be more effective in protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide is an essential mineral for the body, promotes healthy skin and hair, and boosts the immune system. As for titanium dioxide, it is a highly reflective mineral that is non-irritating, non-allergenic, and non-comedogenic. Many complain of the chalky effect from these minerals but this can easily be amended by adding it to your moisturizer or liquid foundation.

Also, take whole food vitamins that contain Vitamin D3 and eat foods that that are high in this as well. For example, mushrooms, eggs, and wild salmon.

Remember to still expose your skin to the sun 10 minutes a day without sunscreen to reap the amazing benefits of Vitamin D for your body but never between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. After those 10 minutes, apply a mineral based sunscreen such as Eminence’s Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream. This vanilla and shea-buttered infused cream hydrates and revitalizes your skin while also protecting it with SPF 30 and zinc oxide.