Hello Sunshine Enthusiasts!

As summer rolls in, many of us are eager to soak up the sun and enjoy the great outdoors. However, there’s an ongoing debate about the safety and necessity of sunscreen. It is important to understand the potential risks associated with some sunscreens and how to make informed choices for our health and the environment.

The Controversy Around Sunscreen

Recent studies have raised concerns about the potential health risks of certain chemicals found in many commercial sunscreens. Here’s why we should be cautious:

  1. Hormone Disruption: Ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate have been shown to penetrate the skin and act as endocrine disruptors, potentially interfering with hormone function.
  2. Allergic Reactions: Some people experience skin irritation or allergic reactions to chemical sunscreen ingredients, leading to redness, itching, and discomfort.
  3. Environmental Impact: Chemicals in sunscreens, particularly oxybenzone and octinoxate, are known to contribute to coral reef bleaching, harming marine ecosystems.

Tips for Healthy Sun Exposure

While it’s essential to protect your skin from excessive sun exposure, here are some tips to do so healthily:

  1. Seek Shade: Especially during peak sun hours (10 AM to 4 PM), find shady spots to reduce direct sun exposure.
  2. Wear Protective Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses can provide excellent protection.
  3. Gradual Exposure: Allow your skin to adapt to the sun gradually, starting with short periods of exposure and gradually increasing the time spent outdoors.
  4. Hydrate and Nourish: Drinking plenty of water and consuming antioxidant-rich foods like berries and leafy greens can help your skin stay healthy and resilient.
  5. Support Your Skin From Within: Nutritional support plays a key role in protecting your skin and enhancing its natural resilience to sun damage.

Nutrition for Sun Care: Support Your Skin from the Inside Out

In addition to topical protection, nutrition can have a powerful impact on how your skin responds to sun exposure. A well-supported internal environment can help prevent sunburn, reduce inflammation, and maintain skin integrity.

Essential Fatty Acids (Vitamin F) & Flaxseed Oil

Vitamin F refers to essential fatty acids like linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). These fats are crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. They help keep moisture in and environmental stressors out, reducing the likelihood of UV damage, inflammation, and sun sensitivity.

Flaxseed oil is one of the richest plant sources of alpha-linolenic acid and has been shown to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and smoothness. People who supplement with flaxseed oil often report reduced skin sensitivity and better overall skin health.

Standard Process Flax Oil Plus is a supplement that combines organic flaxseed oil and vitamin F complex, offering a natural boost to your skin’s resilience against sun exposure.

Calcium Lactate

Calcium plays a protective role in skin cell function. When the skin is exposed to UV light, calcium can leach out of the tissue, weakening its structural integrity. Calcium lactate helps restore calcium levels, which supports the skin’s healing response and prevents sunburn.

Together, calcium lactate and essential fatty acids work synergistically. Fatty acids help transport calcium into the cells, enhancing absorption and maximizing the skin-protective effects of both nutrients.

🌞 Suggested Nutrition Protocol for Sun Protection

Daily Support (for ongoing sun exposure):
To help build your skin’s natural defense against the sun, consider taking:

  • 1 Calcium Lactate tablet
  • 1 Flax Oil Plus softgel
    with each meal throughout the day. This routine supports hydration, skin repair, and resilience—especially during times of regular or intense sun exposure. Adjust the dosage based on your personal sun sensitivity and health needs.

One-Time Support (for occasional or acute sun exposure):
Don’t want to take supplements daily? If you know you’ll be spending a day in the sun, try this one-time preparation:

Choosing Safer and Effective Sunscreens

For those times when sunscreen is necessary, selecting a product that is safe for both your health and the environment is key. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides a comprehensive sunscreen guide to help you choose the best options. Here’s what to look for:

  1. Mineral-Based Formulas: Opt for sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which provide broad-spectrum protection without the harmful chemicals found in many traditional sunscreens.
  2. Non-Nano Particles: Ensure the sunscreen uses non-nano particles to prevent the absorption of these ingredients into your skin.
  3. Fragrance-Free: Fragrances can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, so choose fragrance-free options.
  4. Broad-Spectrum Protection: Make sure your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
  5. Water Resistance: If you’re swimming or sweating, a water-resistant formula will offer better protection.

Here’s a few healthier alternatives that I like: click name to view product.

  1. ATTITUDE Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 30
  2. Thinkbaby Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30 Clear Zinc Oxide Baby Sunscreen
  3. EltaMD UV Restore,Face Sunscreen, SPF 40, Tinted Sunscreen

Not all products that promise protection are safe, and we are thankful for this generation because of the vast information and advanced technology that supports the research of the people from the skincare division keeping the consumers safe and healthy. 

Finally, the Environmental Working Group has created a sunscreen database where you can look up how your current sunscreen scores as far as toxic chemicals goes.  Or you can also go to that site to search for a better brand for yourself and your family.

Conclusion

While sun protection is essential, being mindful of the potential risks associated with certain sunscreens and choosing safer alternatives can make a significant difference to your health and the environment. By combining healthy sun exposure practices with the use of safer sunscreens, you can enjoy the sunshine while minimizing potential harm.

Stay sun-safe and enjoy your summer to the fullest!

Cheers,

References:

  1. Giokas, D. L., Salvador, A., Chisvert, A. (2007). UV filters: From sunscreens to human body and the environment. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 26(5), 360-374.
  2. Krause, M., Klit, A., Blomberg Jensen, M., Søeborg, T., Frederiksen, H., Schlumpf, M., … & Drzewiecki, K. T. (2012). Sunscreens: are they beneficial for health? An overview of endocrine disrupting properties of UV-filters. International Journal of Andrology, 35(3), 424-436.
  3. Wackett, L. P. (2014). Environmental fate of Triclosan in surface waters. ACS Omega, 4(7), 10679-10683.
  4. Downs, C. A., Kramarsky-Winter, E., Segal, R., Fauth, J. E., Knutson, S., Bronstein, O., … & Loya, Y. (2016). Toxicopathological effects of the sunscreen UV filter, oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), on coral planulae and cultured primary cells and its environmental contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 70, 265-288.
  5. Environmental Working Group. (2023). EWG’s Sunscreen Guide. Retrieved from https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
  6. Nash, J. F. (2006). Human safety and efficacy of ultraviolet filters and sunscreen products. Dermatologic Clinics, 24(1), 35-51.
  7. Bennat, C., & MĂĽller-Goymann, C. C. (2000). Skin penetration and stabilization of formulations containing microfine titanium dioxide as physical UV filter. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 196(2), 177-179.
  8. Basketter, D. A., Wright, Z. M., Warburton, S. J., White, I. R., & McFadden, J. P. (2001). Human potency predictions for aldehydes using the local lymph node assay. Contact Dermatitis, 45(2), 89-94.
  9. LPI – Linus Pauling Institute. (2023). Essential Fatty Acids and Skin Health. Retrieved from https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/essential-fatty-acids

Dr Stephanie Zgraggen
Dr Stephanie Zgraggen