Protect Yourself From the Sun, Not Your Sunscreen

Check your sunscreen label. If the active ingredients include one or more of the chemicals listed in this article, you need to look into a mineral based alternative.

In 1927, 12,745 physicians endorsed smoking Lucky Strike® cigarettes as a healthful activity; by 1999 smoking-related illness had become the number one cause of death in United States. Similarly, the rate of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has been on the rise since the first sunscreen arrived on the market in the late 1960's. Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical based sunscreens have been heavily promoted.

While it is important to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it may be just as important to protect yourself from the chemicals used in most sunscreens. Chemical-based sunscreens include ingredients that absorb UV radiation from the sun. These chemicals get into the skin and absorb UV radiation which leads to free radical release. Free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and aging.

Health-related U.S. government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all have important information about potential dangers of these chemicals.

The good news is avoiding chemical-based sunscreens may be easier than you think. Below is a list of some potentially dangerous sunscreen chemicals.

Oxybenzone Oxybenzone is a chemical that can be absorbed by the body and mimic or block hormones thereby disrupting their normal functions. Oxybenzone was found in 96.8% of human urine samples analyzed as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2008. The same study found a lower birth weight in baby girls whose mothers were exposed to Oxybenzone during pregnancy.

Oxybenzone is a photo-carcinogen, a chemical that can potentially cause cancer when exposed to light. Known as a powerful free radical generator, oxybenzone is used to destabilize chemicals in a number of industrial processes. In addition Oxybenzone has been known to trigger photo-allergic reactions. These allergic reactions are caused by exposure to UV radiation.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization that specializes in environmental research and advocacy, identified nearly 600 sunscreens sold in the U.S. that contain Oxybenzone, including leading brand names like Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat, and many facial moisturizers as well.

Avobenzone Similar to Oxybenzone, Avobenzone is a chemical that absorbs UV radiation and is easily absorbed through the skin, potentially releasing free radicals. Avobenzone has been shown to degrade significantly in light, resulting in less UV protection over time.

Octocrylene According to recent studies, Octocrylene, causes bleaching in the algae that lives on coral, often killing the entire structure. The UN World Trade Organization estimates 78 million tourists visit coral reefs each year, releasing between 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen into the water. Several marine reserves in Mexico have banned sunscreens that use oils and chemical ingredients.

Octinoxate

The little amount of data on Octinoxate noted estrogenic effects as well as disruption of the thyroid hormone and brain signaling. Estrogenic effects can potentially increase cancers, cause birth defects in children, and cause fertility and other developmental problems.

Homosalate

Homosalate is a penetration enhancer that may promote the absorption of other harmful chemicals. Very little data exist on the effects of homosalate exposure, but preliminary data has found it to be a possible carcinogen.

Octisalate

Alone, octisalate may not be harmful. However, similar to homosalate, octisalate is a penetration enhancer and may promote the penetration of other harmful chemicals.

Solution

Although these reports are alarming, safer sunscreens do exist. Most physicians continue to support the use of sunscreen, but now advocate using physical barrier sunscreens instead of chemical based sunscreens. Rather than absorbing into the skin, a physical barrier sunscreen reflects or scatters UV radiation. It's like wearing millions of tiny mirrors. Most physical barrier sunscreens contain either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Click on any of the sunscreen ads located in this blog to purchase a safe and healthy sunscreen.

To learn more about safe and healthy products go to http://www.cancer-freeliving.com/

Jenny Jauch

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SPF in Sunscreen - The Basics

SPF stands for 'sun protection factor'. Basically, the SPF in sunscreen protects your skin from cancer causing UV rays by multiplying your natural defense against the rays. Sounds confusing, but it's not. Here's how it works - If you burn easily and can generally only last 10 minutes in the sun, a sunscreen with SPF 15 will in theory protect you for 15 times more than your natural protection time, so in this case you will protected against UV rays for 150 minutes. That is however a theoretical time - it doesn't take into account sweating, swimming, or wearing clothes - or any other factor that might rub the sunscreen off or impede it's benefits.

Another thing to note is that once you've used your protection time (the theoretical 150 minutes), another dose of sunscreen will not add more protection during that day. In this case if you've been outside in the sun for your 'protected' time minutes you are best to avoid sun for at least the remainder of the day to avoid getting burnt.

On the subject of burning, there are 2 types of UV (ultraviolet) rays that can cause cancer: UVA & UVB.

UVA are sun rays that cause our skin to tan and wrinkle and over time will produce age posts and skin sagging. Although not as powerful as the UVB rays, it can penetrate more deeply into the skin. UVB are shorter, more powerful ultraviolet radiations from sunlight. UVB is responsible for sunburn - It affects the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and is a major contributor to development of skin cancer. The best sunscreens protect from both UVA & UVB rays.

Different parts of the world have variable burn times depending on how strong the ozone layer is in that party of the world. New Zealand for example has a 'hole' over it and burn times can be very fast.

When it comes to SPF in sunscreen it is recommended you use the highest protecting sunscreen product whenever you are outside - even in winter or when it is a cloudy day.

http://www.spfinsunscreen.com/ brings you everything you could ever want to know about SPF in suncreen, sunblock or suncream.

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Your Sunscreen Could Be Making You Sick

There are more new cases of skin cancer each year than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined, according to the American Cancer Society.

Sunscreen companies are not legally permitted to promote that their products prevent skin cancer. Sunscreen blinds and solar shades are becoming more popular each year. Experts agree that sunscreen should be applied one half hour before going outdoors.

The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we divide into categories based on the wavelength. Sunburn is caused by ultraviolet B rays, which are stronger at midday and in the summer. A rating system, for ultraviolet A (UVA) protection in sunscreens is finally on the horizon.

What is SPF?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a measurement of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays, the kind of radiation that causes sunburn and is thought to contribute to some types of skin cancer.

UVB protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. The higher the SPF factor (Sun Protection Factor) the greater the protection with an SPF of 15 providing minimal protection to SPF of 60 providing almost total sun block.

UVA regulations are being established by the FDA. UVA rays cause premature aging and long-term sun damage. UVA is considered the 'bad guy' because it penetrates your skin more deeply and causes more free radical damage.

Don't Destroy Your Skin with Chemicals

Chemical blockers vary in how much UVA and UVB protection they provide. Chemical sunscreens differ from physical barrier sunscreens as they soak into the skin, absorbing UV rays before they can do any damage. Chemical products, on the other hand, need to be slathered on 15 to 30 minutes in advance to give the skin time to absorb them.

One of the chemicals under closest scrutiny is oxybenzone, used in over half the sunscreens on the market. Babies are especially vulnerable to exposures to hazardous chemicals. Given their size and the immaturity of their bodies, babies face a greater health risk from exposure to chemicals than adults. To address the chemicals in sunscreen problem, try wearing a wetsuit type bathing suit that has UPF protection, then you only need to put sunscreen on your face, hands and feet when you go swimming.

Organic particulates that mostly absorb light like organic chemical compounds, but contain multiple chromophores, may reflect and scatter a fraction of light like inorganic particulates, and behave differently in formulations than organic chemical compounds. There are two basic types of active ingredients: inorganic and organic. Both afford protection against UV-B rays in the 280- to 320-nm range, the primary culprits in sunburn.

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Sunscreen For Athletes With Titanium Dioxide

Athletes spend a lot of their time outside training and preparing. Because of this time outside, their skin is exposed to the sun and its rays for many hours at a time. While most of the time this exposure may not be harmful, over time the rays of the sun will cause damage to the skin and this damage can possibly be severe. Sunscreen for athletes is highly recommended because while the athletes are training their bodies, they need to be aware of the damage that can be done to their skin.

The rays of the sun are absorbed into the skin and these ultraviolet rays can easily cause many different types of damage. Sunburn is a common type of damage that is caused by the sun. When sunburn occurs, the skin has essentially been burnt by the rays and will be a shade of red in response. Most often, the redness of the sunburn will go away after a few days. More serious cases of sunburn may cause blisters and eventually peeling skin. Sunscreen for athletes helps to reflect off the rays of the sun protecting the skin from a large amount of the sun's rays.

Another form of damage that can occur to the skin from repeated exposure to the skin is skin cancer and different types of melanomas. These are more serious conditions and can have disastrous effects. Skin cancer can be all over the body or, more commonly, it will be concentrated on specific areas of the body. In these areas, the skin will need to be treated and these treatments can be very serious and rough on the body. By using sunscreen for athletes, they can train and get their bodies in top condition without having to worry about any of the effects that the sun may be doing to their skin. Sunscreen for athletes comes in many different forms.

There are creams, lotions and sprays. All of these sunscreens claim to do the same basic function but there are some that are better than others. In addition to protecting the skin, some nourish the skin and others improve the skin. The more that the sunscreen offers, the better off the skin will be for the long haul. The skin is the largest organ on the body and treatment of the skin needs to reflect that to make sure the skin is as healthy as it can be.

EverStride is a skin care company that is focused on helping the athletic minded person. They have quality skin care products to help prevent chafing, blisters, dry skin and skin infections. For more information visit http://www.everstride.com/

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Best Sunscreen - Sunscreen Facts You Need To Know

How to choose the best sunscreen and some sunscreen facts that aren't as popular as sunscreen itself!

We have a rising rate of skin cancer and there's been a major increase in the use of sunscreen as a means of protection against the suns UV rays. I first started noticing all the sunscreen use about 16 years ago when my daughter started school. We had to be sending sunscreen along with her for all the outdoor activities.

I personally never had a concern about sunscreen until these most recent years in my life. When I did, it took me a long time to understand that we are fed a lot of inaccurate and partial information from the sunscreen industry as a whole. Unfortunately, providing the best sunscreen in regards to our health and protection is not their major concern. I am sure you know what I'm going to say next...Most Of These Companies Are All About Profit!

One investigation of nearly 1000 brand name sunscreens found that four out of five do not provide sufficient protection and contain questionable, chemical ingredients. It may come as a surprise to you that some of the nations leading, top name brands are actually the poorest performers.

...And are you ready for some more sunscreen facts? I looked at a couple of the most popular "chemical free" sunscreens that can be found on the shelf in most pharmacies and health food stores. I won't give their names, but here's what I found.

One contained Dimethicone which `chemists` consider as basically non-hazardous and contains a small amount of toxicity. However, contact may cause irritation with the skin and eyes. Dimethicone has also shown to cause tumors and unusual changes in experimental work with animals.

The other sunscreen contained Aluminum Hydroxide which is considered nontoxic and non-irritating to your skin, because `it does not penetrate the epidermis of your skin`. But you wouldn't want to have anyone eating either one of these things! What I mean is some very curious young children put a lot of unusual things in their mouth that they shouldn't.

So why do they have to add these ingredients if it's possible to make sunscreen without the `questionable ingredients`? Well let's go back to the word `Profit`...less cost to manufacture their sunscreen.

There's a relatively new sunscreen on the market that I recently discovered and...guess what...if someone were to eat it, you wouldn't have to worry at all. Just read the ingredients and see for yourself.

It's called Sunumbra. If you're a skin cancer survivor yourself and are concerned about recurrence...or if you just want the best sunscreen to provide the healthiest protection and still maximize the Vitamin D benefits, then I highly recommend you give this one a try. Maximizing your Vitamin D benefits from the sun is something that sunscreen companies usually don't bring up.

Sunumbra is now my top choice.

Gary is a 20+ year skin cancer survivor of squamous cell carcinoma. He has an informational website with lots of skin cancer experiences as a way of reaching out and bringing awareness to others.

Visit Gary's site: http://www.skin-cancer-experiences.com/best-sunscreen.html

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