We’re not going to bore you on how to be safe in the sun, as we all know this. What we want to talk about are the toxic ingredients in most common suntan lotions. These can be avoided, so continue reading to be in the know.............
AVOID: 1. Chemical Filters Okay, so I’m grouping several chemicals under 1 ingredient umbrella, but some of the names you’ll see on the labels of chemical sunscreens include: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. All these active ingredients are used to help the sunscreen penetrate in our skin more easily, and even more so when exposed to sunlight. They then accumulate in our bodies, burden our liver, and disrupt our hormones, throwing off our entire endocrine system and causing hormone disruption.
A 2010 study of Swiss mothers by Margaret Schlumpf of the University of Zurich found at least one of these sunscreen chemicals in 85% of milk samples, which shows how much these toxins can be stored in the body and then be exposed to babies! These chemicals may also cause allergic reaction in the body, and produce free radicals that damage our cells and cause cancer.
2. Titanium Dioxide NanoparticlesThe jury is still out for this one, but nanoparticles are tiny particles that absorb the sun’s radiation. These particles are so small that they may be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, causing inflammation in the body. Titanium dioxide is a potential carcinogen, and can cause lung damage when inhaled.This is a particular concern for me especially with children who regularly put their hands and feet (or anything, really) in their mouths.
Also, I’ve accidentally swallowed sunscreen before when I go swimming after applying it on my lips so this pertains to adults as well
.3. Retinyl Palmitate or Retinol,
These active ingredients are forms of Vitamin A that, while may be a great antioxidant on its own, is harmful when used on skin exposed to sunlight. Many skincare manufacturers add this ingredients to their products because they believe that it has anti-aging benefits. However, when it comes in contact with sunlight, retinyl palmitate may speed up the development of skin lesions and tumors. This is because when exposed to UV rays, these antioxidant compounds break down and produce free radicals that damage our DNA and may lead to skin cancer.
4. Parabens – A group of synthetic compounds commonly added to cosmetics as a preservative to prevent fungal and bacterial growth. They can mimic estrogen and disrupt hormone function.
Be sun safe - check your ingredients!
Comments