The epidemic of skin cancer is highlighted each year with the entrance of summer and the heightened exposure our skin has to the sun. Each year more than 2 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer. And even though more and more people are using sunscreen each year, the incidence of skin cancer continues to climb worldwide.
It’s that time of year where we all start enjoying the weather outside, but did you know that 4 different studies conducted in the 1990’s indicated a higher risk of malignant melanoma among individuals who used the most sunscreen!
The Dangers of Conventional Sunscreens
According to research from the EWG: Our review…shows that some sunscreen ingredients absorb into the blood, and some have toxic effects. Some release skin-damaging free radicals in sunlight, some act like estrogen and disrupt hormones, and several can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation. The FDA has not established rigorous safety standards for sunscreen ingredients. Sunscreens haven’t been regulated since 1978 in the USA, and the SPF factor only tells you how effective a sunscreen is against UVB rays which cause sunburn.
In Review – Some ingredients may:
- Absorb into the blood
- Release free radicals in sunlight
- Act like estrogen
- Disrupt hormones
- Cause allergic reactions
- Cause skin irritation
- Have no rigorous safety standards
A recent study published in Environmental Science Technology has also shown the common sunscreen ingredients oxybenzone, methoxycinnamate, and PABA are estrogenic chemicals linked to cancer. If you’re a label reader we would recommend paying close attention to not only your food labels but labels of anything you are putting on your skin. If your sunscreen contains any of these chemicals I’d throw it away right now!
List of Unsafe, Toxic Chemicals in Sunscreen
- Para amino benzoic acid
- Octyl salicyclate
- Oxybenzone
- Cinoxate
- Dioxybenzone
- Phenylbenzimidazole
- Homosalate
- Menthyl anthranilate
- Octocrylene
- Methoxycinnamate
- Parabens
Try and avoid these chemicals and use an all-natural sunscreen like HAVVN Sun Lotion. It is a 100% natural-organic composition that will protect and improve the skin’s immune system to respond to damaging sun rays allowing it to take in the optimal daily dose of vitamin D.