In order to protect yourself from the sun, most people have been educated to wear protective clothing, limit the amount of time in the sun, and cover our skin with sunscreen or sunblock. While many people believe they are taking appropriate measures to protect themselves, most are unaware that the ingredients in popular sun care products are toxic–even carcinogenic.
Ironically, many of the most popular sun care products list suspected carcinogens as well as endocrine disrupters–synthetic chemicals suspected in declining sperm counts and cancer of the testicles, prostate, and breast. Look at the listed ingredients of the most popular sun care products and you will find at least one of the following:
Suspected Carcinogens:
* diethanolamine and related ingredients (DEA, TEA),
* padimate-o
* titanium dioxide
Suspected Endocrine Disrupters:
* benzophenone (oxybenzone),
* homosalate
* octyl-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)
* parabens (methyl, ethyl, butyl, propyl)
While these chemicals are bad for people, they are equally harmful to the environment. When we swim, the chemicals enter the water. Diethanolamine has been found in waterways, and benzophenone has been found in the water, air and soil. Sunscreens can also contain other chemicals associated with skin irritation such as avobenzone, benzophenone, octyl-methoxycinnamate, and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid). Keep in mind, the Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate any personal care products.
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2:01 amThe really ironic part is that lack of vitamin D, which our bodies make in response to sunlight, can cause certain cancers. So, in an effort to avoid one perceived hazard, we expose ourselves to even more! Strange world we live in!
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1:30 pmBecause I have a true allergy to the sun, secondary to Lupus and MS, I have had to stay out of the sun during the heat of the day. Morning and late afternoon exposure does me no harm and allows me to get sufficient Vitamin D.
As a young woman, I was mortified that I couldn’t lay and bake in the sun like my friends. They would be crispy brown and I would be lily white (read ‘pasty’) by the end of summer.
Now that I’m turning into an old woman, and ageing nicely, thank you, I am grateful for the times I couldn’t tan. I don’t seem to have the problem with wrinkles that my friends have. Plus, I avoided years of misery from allergic reactions. Now I find that I was spared from applying carcinogens by avoiding the strongest rays of the sun - and sunblock. I see it as a win-win-win situation now!
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2:14 pmDarlene-
It’s definitely a Catch 22.
11:59 pmBrennan-
Consider it a mixed blessing, heavy emphasis on the blessing
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12:57 pmI have been wearing sunscreen since my early 20’s. I am so obsessive my friends call me Miss Suncreen 2000 (not for the year but for the SPF I would wear if they made one that high!). Now in my late 30’s I can appreciate the benefits I’ve received. Unless, of course, I’ve been damaging my health in other ways as this article seems to suggest. This type of information is certainly frustrating.
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