Just don't rely on sunscreen alone to save you from skin cancer. EWG's article, Skin Cancer on the Rise, reports that there is not enough evidence to prove that sunscreen use alone can lower the rate of skin cancer (EWG 2014d). The sunscreen manufacturing industry is thriving (IBISWorld 2013). Sunscreen use in the U.S. has been increasing slowly since the 1990s, and there was a significant increase in sunscreen use between 2005 and 2010 (CDC 2012). However, skin cancer rates have tripled since 1970 (NCI 2007).
Furthermore, some of the ingredients contained in sunscreens may actually be harmful. Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), an anti-aging ingredient frequently added to sunscreens, has actually been shown to exacerbate skin cancer tumors in laboratory animals when applied to skin that was subsequently exposed to UV radiation (NTP 2012, EWG 2014c). Most chemical sunscreen ingredients can be detected in human breastmilk, and there is some evidence that many of them may disrupt hormones (EWG 2014f). Oxybenzone and octinoxate pose the highest concern, yet their use in sunscreen formulations is widespread in the U.S. (EWG 2014f). And don't assume that manufacturers take this information into account and ensure that sunscreens marketed for babies exclude these questionable ingredients. Check the label. There are plenty of baby sunscreens that contain both retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone.
There are concerns with spray and powder sunscreens because they may not provide a thick enough coating to effectively protect against UV rays, and they may pose inhalation risks (EWG 2014e). Also, there are some new sunscreen ingredients - Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL - which are more effective at blocking UVA rays than any sunscreen chemicals currently used in the U.S. They have been reviewed for safety and have been approved for use in Europe and Canada, but due to delays with the FDA review process, they have not been approved for use in the U.S (EWG 2014a).
The safest sunscreens available in the U.S. at this time are mineral sunscreens, which have their own disadvantages. For example, according to the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, zinc oxide has been shown to be bioaccumulative in wildlife, and titanium dioxide poses a risk of cancer (only when inhaled in powdered or aerosol form). Another issue is the "nanoparticle" issue. In order to create mineral sunscreen formulations that go on relatively clear, manufacturers must use very small mineral particles. There have been some concerns that these small particles could potentially seep into the skin and enter the bloodstream, but there are also studies showing that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles do not penetrate the skin (EWG 2014b). In my opinion, another disadvantage of safer mineral sunscreens is that they also seem to come at a painful price premium compared to their chemical sunscreen counterparts.
The waters are definitely contentious.
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| Image source: Microsoft |
But summertime is here. It's time to hang out by the water and enjoy a little time in the sun, and it's important not to get overexposed or burnt.
So, here is my personal, 4 point sun protection strategy:
1. Get some vitamin D.
It seems that nowadays, we tend to shun the sun every chance we get. We spend our days indoors. When we do venture outside, we wear sunscreen and seek shade. But, despite it's bad reputation, the sun provides us with something very important: vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, and some studies show that it may prevent certain types of cancer, including colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer (Kotz 2008). It is good for the heart, and also helps prevent depression and insomnia (Kotz 2008). Based on data collected between 2001-2006, the CDC has reported that about one in four Americans are at risk for vitamin D inadequacy, and, in addition, approximately 8% of Americans are at risk of deficiency (CDC 2011).
Personally, I take a multivitamin containing vitamin D, but I prefer to get at least some of this important nutrient the natural way, from the sun. I've found that if I spend about 15-20 minutes a day in the sun, my skin gradually gets darker over the course of the summer, but I don't burn. Although I wouldn't exactly recommend tanning as a primary means to prevent skin cancer, exposure to sunlight triggers skin cells to produce melanin, which actually helps to protect the skin from sun damage (Berman 2012, Dugdale 2012). Plus getting a tan makes me feel sexy and happy.
If you don't feel comfortable spending that much time in the sun without sunscreen, then don't. But if you spend your days indoors and wear sunscreen at all times when you are outdoors, please talk to your doctor about Vitamin D. There are supplements available if natural sun exposure is not an appropriate option for you.
2. Make homemade sunscreen.
I whipped up a batch of sunscreen in my kitchen last week using this recipe from my favorite video fitness instructor, Ellen Barrett:
Click here for the link
The initial purchase of the bulk materials cost me about $45, but I only used a little bit to make the sunscreen, and still have plenty left over to use for other purposes. When you look at it on a per ounce basis it's very cheap, only about fifty cents per ounce.
It was simple to make - the hardest part was obtaining all the ingredients. I purchased the shea butter and zinc oxide online from Bulk Apothecary. I could have bought the beeswax online as well, but Gretchen Bee Ranch has a booth at the local farmer's market that sells cosmetic grade beeswax by the pound, so I decided to get it there and support a local farm. I bought the sweet almond oil from Whole Foods, and I had coconut oil on hand because I usually buy some when I go grocery shopping at H.E.B.
When applying, it goes on kind of greasy, but at least it's clear, and it smells amazing. In total, it provides about 28 SPF, and the active ingredient, zinc oxide, provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. The only drawback is that it needs to be refrigerated, so, while it works well if you apply it before you put on your bikini and head out for a swim at the neighborhood pool, it's not very convenient to throw in your beach bag or to take with you on an overnight trip.
3. Purchase the best value mineral sunscreen available.
This year I purchased Badger SPF 30 Unscented mineral sunscreen. It has a score of 1 (low hazard) from SkinDeep. The cost is $15.99 for a 2.9 ounce container (that's $5.51 per ounce!), so it's not exactly cheap. However, compared to the other safe sunscreens I looked into, it was the best value I could find. Badger provides everyday free shipping for all orders of $25 and above, so I ordered 2 tubes, and the shipping was free. Plus, they send you a free gift with every order, which is nice. They sent me a little jar of peppermint foot balm.
After I had already received my Badger sunscreen, I learned from my cousin Heather that Zulily actually runs frequent specials on Badger brand sunscreen and COOLA sunscreen as well (which is another good mineral sunscreen brand). So now I have signed up for Zulily's emails and hopefully when I start running low on the stuff I bought they will have a new deal available.
The Badger sunscreen is very thick and creamy, and goes on white when you apply it. You have to let it soak in for about 15 minutes and then rub it in again to diminish some of the whiteness. For me, that was a bit of a drawback, because my husband laughed and told me I looked like a mime. Of course, I quipped back at him with a snippy retort, but it's probably not appropriate to repeat it here.
I actually really prefer the way the homemade sunscreen looks, feels and smells. But the Badger brand sunscreen doesn't have to be refrigerated, and is more portable, so it's nice to have on hand if you are going somewhere.
4. Don a wide brimmed hat.
Last year, I saw my sister-in-law Nicole wearing the most awesome wide brimmed hat I had ever seen. So, even though I felt a little sheepish about being a copycat, I decided that I had to have one just like it for my trip to Puerto Vallarta this summer. So I asked her where she got it, and savvy shopper that she is, she could still remember that she purchased it at Kohls, and even remembered the sale price. Yeah Nicole! Thanks. So I rushed down the street to Kohls and got one for myself.
They actually have many designs to choose from, but what I like about this one is that it rolls up so it keeps it shape when you pack it in your suitcase, and it's adjustable, so I can actually fit it on my big old head!
Have a great summer and don't get burned!
References:
Berman, Kevin. 2012, December 9. Sun's effect on skin. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/anatomyvideos/000125.htm
CDC (Centers for Disease Control). 2011. Vitamin D Status: United States, 2001-2006. NCHS Data Brief. No. 59. March 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db59.pdf
CDC (Centers for Disease Control). 2012. Sunburn and Sun Protective Behaviors Among Adults Aged 18–29 Years — United States, 2000– 2010. MMWR May 11, 2012 / 61(18):317-322. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6118a1.htm
Dugdale, David C. 2012, November 4. Melanin. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002256.htm
EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2014a. Does Europe Have Better Sunscreens? http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/does-europe-have-better-sunscreens/
EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2014b. Nanoparticles in Sunscreens. http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/nanoparticles-in-sunscreen/
EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2014c. The problem with vitamin A. http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/the- problem-with-vitamin-a/
EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2014d. Skin Cancer on the Rise. http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/skin- cancer-on-the-rise/
EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2014e. Sun Safety Gets Easier With EWG's 2014 Guide to Sunscreens. http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/sun-safety-gets-easier/
EWG (Environmental Working Group). 2014f. The Trouble With Sunscreen Chemicals. http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
IBISWorld. 2013. Sunscreen Manufacturing in the US: Market Research Report. http://www.ibisworld.com/industry/sunscreen-manufacturing.html.
Kotz, Deborah. 2008, June 23. Time in the Sun: How Much is Needed For Vitamin D? U.S. News and World Report. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2008/06/23/time-in-the-sun-how-much-is- needed-for-vitamin-d
NCI (National Cancer Institute). 2007. General Information about Skin Cancer. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/skin/patient
NTP (National Toxicology Program). 2012. NTP Technical Report on the Photococarcinogenesis Study of Retinoic Acid and Retinyl Palmitate [CAS Nos. 302-79-4 (All-Trans-Retinoic Acid) and 79-81-2 (All-Trans-Retinyl Palmitate)] in SKH-1 Mice (Simulated Solar Light And Topical Application Study). August 2012, NTP TR 568, National Institutes of Health. http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/LT_rpts/TR568_508.pdf
Puizina-Ivic, N. 2008. Skin aging. Acta Dermatoven APA, Volume 17 (No. 2), 47- 54. http://s3-eu-west- 1.amazonaws.com/journalhub/10.2478/archive/acta-apa-08-2/1.pdf.
