Should We Use Sunscreen?
As we all know, when it comes time for summer we all start wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen does offer protection from the sun's UV rays (UVB and UVA). The strength of sunscreen depends on something called SPF, the sun protection factor.5 Sunscreens' SPF ranges from 15-50, the higher the number means more protection. So it seems like sunscreen should always be used right? But, have you ever wondered what sunscreen is actually made of? Are these chemicals dangerous when exposed to our body?
Sunscreen has multiple ingredients but we will focus on one compound, Avobenzone. This compound is very important and actually is used in multiple other products like face cream, lotion, foundation and lip balms!4
Avobenzone is really effective as it absorbs into your body rapidly!2 UVA rays are ones which penetrate deeper into the skin and can cause DNA damage or cancer. When Avobenzone is applied to skin and exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into harmful radicals.3 In order to prevent this, other chemicals such as Octocrylene are used to stabilize Avobenzone and lengthen its effects.1 In fact, research done in 2009 showed this combination can cause DNA and protein damage in high dosages.1
In conclusion, stop relying on sunscreen alone! Wear hats, sunglasses and clothing which are UV resistant on order to protect yourself from the sun's rays. In addition, use brands of sunscreen which don't contain Avobenzone, such as Goddess Gardens which replaces Avobenzone with Zinc Oxide.2
References:
1- 7 Chemicals in Sunscreen and How They Affect Your Health. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.annmariegianni.com/chemicals-in-sunscreen/
2- Mineral Sunscreen | Reef Safe and Chemical Free. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.goddessgarden.com/product-category/sunscreen/
3- More on Avobenzone and Octocrylene - our sunscreen ingredients - Dan's Blog at Acne.org. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.acne.org/blog/2010/07/06/more-on-avobenzone-and-octocrylene-our-sunscreen-ingredients/
4- Skin Cosmetics. (2000). Ullmann's Encyclopedia Of Industrial Chemistry. doi: 10.1002/14356007
5- Sunscreens Explained - SkinCancer.org. (2012). Retrieved from https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/sunscreens-explained
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