BURN: Health Impacts of Sunscreen Found to be Worse Than UV Damage!

10th May 2014

By Marie Be, Guest Writer for Wake Up World
It has long been known that sunscreen products are detrimental to our health. But how bad? And what is
worse: UV damage, chemical sunscreens or mineral sunscreens? Would there be any alternative ways to
protect the skin against UV rays, without necessarily hiding behind an umbrella all day?
Safe sun protection seems like another topic overloaded with information, where nothing seems quite
clear. This article makes sense of the whole issue by gathering independent scientific data from
worldwide sources and linking it to how your body reacts to sunscreen ingredients and UV rays. While
undertaking this research, weve even discovered alternative and natural ways to protect your skin against
UV rays!
Over the past decade, dozens of studies from third-party scientific groups have examined the potential
health hazards of sunscreen chemicals that permeate the skin. Sunscreens active ingredients are present
in large concentrations in order to filter UVA and UVB rays, and their repeated application over large
portions of the skin means that the body absorbs high concentrations of toxic chemicals. Sunscreen
ingredients are well known to cause poisoning, hormone disruption, degenerative changes in cells of the
skin, DNA damage, free-radical generation leading to premature ageing, a compromised immune system
and increased risk of melanoma.
The Environmental Working Group writes:
The ideal sunscreen would completely block UV rays that cause sunburn, immune suppression and
damaging free radicals. It would remain effective on the skin for several hours. It would not form harmful
ingredients when degraded by sunlight. It would smell and feel pleasant so that people would use more of
it. No sunscreen meets these goals. Consumers must choose between chemical sunscreens, which have
inferior stability, penetrate the skin and may disrupt the bodys hormone system, and mineral
sunscreens, made with zinc and titanium, often micronized or containing nano-particles.
Chemical Sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens deserve special awareness, as they are known to permeate the skin. Chemical
sunscreens typically include a combination of three to six of these active ingredients: oxybenzone,
avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.
Laboratory studies indicate that these chemicals break down when exposed to sunlight, mimicking
estrogen and disrupting the bodys hormone (endocrine) system.[1] Research suggests that oxybenzone,
4-MBC and octinoxate are also toxic to human reproductive systems and interfere with normal
development.[2]
In North-America, oxybenzone is found in 80 percent of chemical sunscreens. The federal Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has detected oxybenzone in more than 96 percent of the U.S.
population, with higher concentrations found during the summer months.[3] Other studies have detected
common sunscreen chemicals in breast milk, which affects the normal development of fetuses and
newborns.[4]
Furthermore, a United States FDA report entitled Medications that Increase Sensitivity to
Light indicates that many agents commonly used in chemical sunscreens - including benzophenones,
PABA, cinnamates, salicylates, anthranilates, PSBA, mexenone, and oxybenzone
increase photosensitivity or have photo-reactive agents in them. This means that applying these chemicals
to your body during periods of sun exposure actually heightens the bodys reactivity to UV radiation and
increases the risk of skin cancer.
Mineral Sunscreens
In the mainstream media, mineral sunscreens are portrayed as the safe alternative to chemical sunscreens.
In fact, once exposed to sunlight, mineral filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been found
to undergo a chemical reaction that releases free radicals in the body, damaging surrounding cells. Free
radicals cause cell and DNA damage, premature ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer.
According to the environmental working group, mineral sunscreen could pose a risk of skin damage if
manufacturers do not select forms that are coated with inert chemicals to reduce photoactivity. In other
words, they use chemicals to alter the hazardous effects of mineral filters breaking down in sunlight. This
is a problem: there is absolutely no research on chemicals used to reduce the photoreactivity of mineral
sunscreens.
Additionally, mineral filters release carcinogenic nanoparticles one-twentieth the thickness of a human
hair. Nanoparticles are not properly regulated, allowing manufacturers to cheap out on quality and
safety[5]. These particles are volatile; they can lodge in the lungs, reach the bloodstream and extensively
damage living cells and internal organs.[6] On top of it all, nanoparticles also react to UV rays faster,
increasing the amount of free radicals produced and drastically increasing UV damage in the body.
Additionally, sunscreen nano-ingredients have been shown to damage ecosystems as they accumulate in
the food chain, disrupting hormones of animals and humans.[7] The environmental impact of
nanoparticle pollution has not been sufficiently assessed, but experts suspect that nanoparticles are highly
prone to bioaccumulation[8].
Beware of false claims. Mineral sunscreens are commonly advertised as the safe alternative to chemical
sunscreens, but their chemical content is un-regulated and un-tested. Some other commonly misleading
claims are products advertised as non-nano titanium dioxide and zinc oxide: all mineral sunscreens
must be delivered in nanoparticle form to efficiently block UV rays.
Understanding the Health Effects of UV Rays
Wearing sunscreen and avoiding sunburns does not mean your skin is adequately protected.
UVA and UVB rays have very distinct properties when interacting with the skin. UVA rays damage skin
cells called keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis, where most skin cancers occur. They
penetrate deeper into skin tissue where they release free radicals, damaging DNA and skin cells,
promoting skin aging and causing skin cancer.
UVB rays stimulate the production of new melanin and a thicker epidermis, which are your bodys
natural defense against UVA damage. They also cause sunburns, which are the bodys natural warning
and protection system against UVA damage.
UVB rays are necessary to build the precursors to vitamin D in the skin[10]. Vitamin D is a hormone
essential to calcium absorption, promoting bone health. It is also essential to a strong immune system and
helps protect against breast, colon, kidney and ovarian cancer. About one-fourth of North-Americans have
low levels of vitamin D[11], which has been associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, colon
cancer mortality, breast cancer, skin cancer, metabolic disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes,
osteoporosis, upper respiratory tract infections and other microbe-caused infections[12].
Basically, for a sun protection lotion to be effective, it should block cancer-causing UVAs while
allowing healing UVBs to interact with the skin.
Ironically, sunscreens create the opposite effect of what they are designed for. They block UVBs
and allow harmful UVAs to penetrate deeper into the skin.
By focusing both their products and advertising campaigns on UVB protection, sunscreen companies are,
at best, selling their consumers a false sense of safety. Remarkably, regulators like the FDA continue to
allow these chemicals to be sold as sun protection, despite the known risks associated with both
chemical and mineral sunscreens.
Blocking UVB absorption neutralizes the bodys natural UVA defense mechanisms and impedes vitamin
D to naturally build in the body. Most sunscreens further enhance the damage produced by UVA rays by
separating it from its ultraviolet particle UVB, allowing UVA rays to penetrate deeper into the skin,
reaching connective tissues and blood vessels. It is also common for sunscreens to contain anti-
inflammatory chemicals that can prevent the skin from burning, creating a false sense of security where
users wrongly assume they are being adequately protected from the harmful effects of UV rays (which
include free radical release and DNA damage).
One study of three common sunscreen ingredients found that after one hour of UV-exposure, the
number of free radicals on sunscreen-treated skin was actually higher than on untreated skin.[13]
Experts caution that the unintentional exposure to and toxicity of active ingredients erodes the
benefits of sunscreens.[14]
Quite simply, sunscreens inhibit the innate intelligence of our skin cells. On one hand, they neutralize
UVB rays, which are the bodys natural defense system against UVA damage. On the other hand, they
enable harmful UVA rays to penetrate deeper into the body. With so much misinformation in the public
sphere, it is no wonder skin cancer rates are sky-rocketing!
The Sun and its Healing Powers
The sun, a dynamic source of life-sustaining energy, is truly one of the most powerful healing therapies in
the world. And it is free, which is probably why nobody is promoting it! Here are some of the healing
benefits of the sun:
Helps fight cancer in conjunction with whole foods
Heals skin disorders such as psoriasis, acne, eczema and fungal infections of the skin
Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure
Cleanses the blood and increases oxygen content as it penetrates deep into the skin
Builds a strong the immune system as white blood cells increase with sun exposure
Bodys primary source of vitamin D
Treats depression
Natural Ways to Avoid Sun Damage
There are many ways to avoid skin damage and burning without the damaging affects of sunscreen:
1. Stay hydrated. Your skin is more likely to burn if you are dehydrated, so drink lots of water..
2. Naturally increase your skins resistance to UV rays by gradually exposing it to the morning sun for
short periods of time. You will be less likely to burn, and you will reap the health benefits of increased
Vitamin D. Avoid prolonged mid-day exposures.
3. Avoid sunglasses. The optical nerve in the eyes sends signals to the hypothalamus. The gland has the
ability to adjust the skins resistance to UV rays on the basis of how much light your eyes receive.
4. Sunburn is caused by oxidation of the skin cells. Eat colorful foods they are high in antioxidants and
you will support the body to counteract the effects of sunburn.
5. Cleanse your liver of toxins and heavy metals as they play a major role in UV protection.
Adding zeolite to your diet is a safe and powerful way to detox the body.
6. Apply micronized zeolite to your skin. Easily absorbed, it assists the skin to build and strengthen its
own natural UV and UVA defense, healing and processing mechanisms. Zeolite does not deter beneficial
UV rays from entering the skin, it protects against DNA damage, protecting your skin and cell
membranes at the cellular level. Try out SunSheer from EarthSun, an organic zeolite cream with a
protection level comparable to a sunscreen SPF 50.
As you can see, independent scientific data shows that sunscreens are actually counter-productive to their
purpose, inhibiting the innate intelligence of our skin cells, neutralizing beneficial UVB rays and
increasing the harmful effects of UVA radiation. Thankfully nature has provided some simple and natural
ways to protect our skin from UV rays without the damaging affects of conventional sunscreens. For
more information, please visit me at Earth for the Sun.
Resources:
[1]
Kortenkamp A. Low dose mixture effects of endocrine disrupters: implications for risk assessment
and epidemiology. Int J Androl. 2008;31(2):233-240. Epub 2008 Jan 29.
Krause, M. et al. Sunscreens: are they beneficial for health? An overview of endocrine disrupting
properties of UV-filters. Int J Androl. 2012 Jun;35(3):424-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-
2605.2012.01280.x.
Schlumpf M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al. Developmental toxicity of UV filters and environmental
exposure: a review. Int J Androl. 2008;31(2):144-151. Epub 2008 Jan 10.
Schlumpf M, Cotton B, Conscience M, Haller V, Steinmann B, Lichtensteiger W. In vitro and in vivo
estrogenicity of UV screens. Environ Health Perspect. 2001;109(3):239244.
Schlumpf M, Kypke K, Wittassek M, et. al. Exposure patterns of UV lters, fragrances, parabens,
phthalates, organochlor pesticides, PBDEs, and PCBs in human milk: Correlation of UV lters with
use of cosmetics. Chemosphere. 2010;81(10):11711183. Epub 2010 Oct 27
Schlumpf M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al. Developmental toxicity of UV filters and environmental
exposure: a review. Int J Androl. 2008;31(2):144-151. Epub 2008 Jan 10.
[2]
Axelstad M, Boberg J, Hougaard KS, et al. Effects of pre-and postnatal exposure to the UV-filter
Octyl Methoxycinnamate (OMC) on the reproductive, auditory and neurological development of
rat offspring. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2010. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2010.10.031
Fent K, Kunz PY, Gomez E. UV filters in the aquatic environment induce hormonal effects and
affect fertility and reproduction in fish. Endocrine disruptors: natural waters and fishes. Chimia.
2008;62(5):368-375.
Schlumpf M, Schmid P, Durrer S, et. al. Endocrine activity and developmental toxicity of cosmetic
UV ltersan update. Toxicology. 2004;205:113122.
Weisbrod CJ, Kunz PY, Zenker AK, Fent K. Effects of the UV filter benzophenone-2 on reproduction
in fish. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2007;225(3):255-266. Epub 2007 Aug 17.
[3]
Calafat. Endocrine disruptors: natural waters and fishes. Chimia. 2008;62(5):368-375.
[4]
Nishikawa M, Iwano H, Yanagisawa R, Koike N, Inoue H, Yokota H. Placental transfer of
conjugated bisphenol A and subsequent reactivation in the rat fetus. Environ Health Perspect.
2010;118(9):1196-1203. Epub 2010 Apr 9.
[5]
ANTARIA An Advanced Material Rowld. Review of ZinClear-IMproduct range in line with the
European Union Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC 1223/2009). Dec. 2012.
Philip J. Barker Amos Branch. The interaction of modern sunscreen formulations with surface
coatings. rogress in Organic Coatings 62 (2008) 313320.
[6]
Trouiller B, Reliene R, Westbrook A, Solaimani P, Schiestl RH. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles
induce DNA damage and genetic instability in vivo in mice. Cancer Res. 2009;69(22):87848789.
Epub 2009 Nov 3.
Wu J, Liu W, Xue C, et al. Toxicity and penetration of TiO
2
nanoparticles in hairless mice and
porcine skin after subchronic dermal exposure. Toxicol Lett. 2009;191(1):1-8. Epub 2009 Jan 6.
Liu S, Xu L, Zhang T, Ren G, Yang Z. Oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by nanosized titanium
dioxide in PC12 cells. Toxicology. 2010;267(1-3):172-177. Epub 2009 Nov 14.
[7]
Nowack B, Bucheli TD. Occurrence, behavior and effects of nanoparticles in the environment.
Environ Pollut. 2007;150(1):5-22.
Miao AJ, Zhang XY, Luo Z, et al. Zinc oxide-engineered nanoparticles: dissolution and toxicity to
marine phytoplankton. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2010;29(12):2814-22. Epub 2010 Oct 7.
Kahru A, Dubourguier HC. From ecotoxicology to nanoecotoxicology. Toxicology. 2010;269(2-
3):105-119. Epub 2009 Sep 2.
Chen J, Dong X, Xin Y, Zhao M. Effects of titanium dioxide nano-particles on growth and some
histological parameters of zebrafish (Danio rerio) after a long-term exposure. Aquat Toxicol.
2011;101(3-4):493-499. Epub 2010 Dec 24.
Shaw BJ, Handy RD. Physiological effects of nanoparticles on fish: a comparison of nanometals
versus metal ions. Environ Int. 2011;37(6):1083-1097. Epub 2011 Apr 6.
[8]
Nowack B, Bucheli TD. Occurrence, behavior and effects of nanoparticles in the environment.
Environ Pollut. 2007;150(1):5-22.
[9]
Kligman LH. Intensification of ultraviolet-induced dermal damage by infrared radiation. Arch
Dermatol Res. 1982;272(3-4):229-238.
Kligman LH. Full spectrum solar radiation as a cause of dermal photodamage: UVB to infrared.
Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh). 1987;134:53-61.
Kim MS, Kim YK, Cho KH, Chung JH. Regulation of type I procollagen and MMP-1 expression after
single or repeated exposure to infrared radiation in human skin. Mech Ageing Dev.
2006;127(12):875-882. Epub 2006 Oct 25.
Kim HH, Lee MJ, Lee SR, et al. Augmentation of UV-induced skin wrinkling by infrared irradiation
in hairless mice. Mech Ageing Dev. 2005;126(11):1170-1177.
Holick MF, Chen TC. Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences. Am J
Clin Nutr. 2008;87(4):1080S-1086S.
[10]
Endocrine Web. Parathyroid Function: Normal and Abnormal. Available at:
http://tinyurl.com/4zj7vju.
Alleyne R. Vitamin D health warning for the children who shun the sun. Available at:
http://tinyurl.com/7gmtbl6.
The Telegraph Website. Alleyne R. Vitamin D Health Warning for the Children Who Shun the Sun.
Available at: http://tinyurl.com/7gmtbl6.
Kivity S, Agmon-Levin N, Zisappl M, et al. Vitamin D and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Cell Mol
Immunol. 2011;8(3):243-247. Epub 2011 Jan 31.
Wang Y, Deluca HF. Is the vitamin d receptor found in muscle? Endocrinology. 2011;152(2):354-
363. Epub 2010 Dec 29.
Schubert L, DeLuca HF. Hypophosphatemia is responsible for skeletal muscle weakness of vitamin
D deficiency. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2010;500(2):157-161. Epub 2010 May 31.
[11]
Halliday TM, Peterson NJ, Thomas JJ, Kleppinger K, Hollis BW, Larson-Meyer DE. Vitamin D status
relative to diet, lifestyle, injury, and illness in college athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
2011;43(2):335-343.
[12]
Ozfirat Z, Chowdhury T. Vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes. Postgrad Med J. 2010; 86:18-
25. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2009.078626.
Mohr SB, Garland CF, Gorham ED, Garland FC. The association between ultraviolet B irradiance,
vitamin D status and incidence rates of type 1 diabetes in 51 regions worldwide. Diabetologia.
2008;51(8):1391-1398. Epub 2008 Jun 12.
Hyppnen E, Laara E, Reunanen A, Jarvelin M-R, Virtanen SM. Intake of vitamin D and risk of type
1 diabetes: a birth-cohort study. Lancet. 2001;358(9292):1500-1503.
Hewison M. Vitamin D and immune function: an overview. Proc Nutr Soc. 2011;18:1-12. [Epub
ahead of print]
Jrgensen SP, Agnholt J, Glerup H, et al. Clinical trial: vitamin D3 treatment in Crohns disease a
randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2010;32(3):377-383.
Epub 2010 May 11.
Medscape Today Website. Barclay L. Higher Vitamin D Levels Linked to Lower Risk for Female
Pelvic Floor Disorders? Available at: http://tinyurl.com/ycwdqyz.
Medscape Today Website. Barclay L. Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Greater Risk for Primary
Cesarean Delivery. Available at: http://tinyurl.com/86hpcvd.
Plotnikoff GA, Quigley JM. Prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D in patients with persistent,
nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003;78(12):1463-1470.
[13]
Hanson, M. K. et al. Sunscreen enhancement of UV-induced reactive oxygen species in the skin.
Science Direct, Free Radical Biology & Medicine 41 (2006) 12051212.
[14]
Krause, M. et al. Sunscreens: are they beneficial for health? An overview of endocrine disrupting
properties of UV-filters. Int J Androl. 2012 Jun;35(3):424-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-
2605.2012.01280.x.
Kobo Products Inc. Website. Nguyen U, Scholossman D. Stability Study of Avobenzone with
Inorganic Sunscreens. Available at: http://tinyurl.com/7h7f8su. Schlumpf M, Schmid P, Durrer S,
et. al. Endocrine activity and developmental toxicity of cosmetic UV ltersan update. Toxicology.
2004;205:113122.
Schlumpf M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al. Developmental toxicity of UV filters and environmental
exposure: a review. Int J Androl. 2008;31(2):144-151. Epub 2008 Jan 10.
About the author:
Marie Bes inspiration comes from her mom who always challenged common assumptions and sought to
understand for herself the major issues concerning her family and the choices she made on their behalf.
She raised Marie and her brother in a rural environment, feeding them the best organic foods, and focused
on building strong immune systems in her children through the use of natural plants, herbs and minerals.
As a fiery teenager, Marie travelled the world in search of purpose and dreamed of positively influencing
our society. While earning her first two degrees, in architecture and sustainable development, she worked
for Greenpeace and many other organizations of change. Her experience taught her that change cannot be
imposed; she now aims at inspiring individuals through education and awareness.
Marie moved to Vancouver to undertake a Masters in Regenerative Sustainability under the supervision
of a Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Teaching workshops on well-being, she started observing a widespread
desire in our society for both physical and environmental health and sustainability. Feeling the winds of
change, Marie founded Earth for the Sun.
Earth for the Sun was inspired by nature, the source of life. By tuning in that source, by acquiring
knowledge on ancient herbal traditions as well as new technologies, Marie believes it is possible to use
natures intelligence and deliver simple and effective health products. Check out Earth for the Sun for
more information.