Summer is in full swing, and we finally get to enjoy the outdoor fun we’ve been waiting for all year! Beach days, pool time, picnics, barbecues, baseball games, and all the sunshine. And, just like our parents drilled into us, we still repeat the same reminder to ourselves and everyone around us: wear your sunscreen!
Even though we have been hearing that forever, many of us still are not totally sure how sunscreen works or even how to pick the right one for our skincare routine. On top of that, there are other ways to protect ourselves from ultraviolet radiation, and some of these options might appeal to you even more.
As we talk about traditional and not-so-traditional options, with the help of experts like Brandi Searcy, remember that your skin is your largest organ. Caring for it is caring for your whole body.
UVA, UVB, SPF, and What They Mean
Let us start by understanding the basics of how sunscreen works. Sunscreen is meant to screen out ultraviolet radiation, and there are two main kinds of UV rays. UVA rays make up most of the UV rays that reach us, and they can go deep into the skin. This leads to sun-damaged skin and is the same type of radiation used in tanning beds. UVB rays make up a much smaller portion of the UV rays, but they have extremely high energy. They stay in the upper layers of the skin and can cause burns, DNA damage, and skin cancer, including melanoma. Because of the risks from both types of rays, sunscreen feels like a must for many of us.
When we choose sunscreen, we usually pick based on SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor. Anyone who has ever stared down the endless sunscreen aisle knows how confusing this can be. Also, if you love tanning oils, you know it gets even more confusing when people tell you different things about what to choose.
Think of SPF like a multiplier. SPF 10 blocks roughly 80 percent of UVB rays. SPF 20 blocks about 92 percent. SPF 30 reaches about 99 percent, and SPF 40 is around 99.9 percent. This is why you may have heard that going above SPF 45 or 50 does not change things all that much. The protection levels level off once you reach the higher numbers.
There is another important piece to sunscreen: the mechanism of action. Some are physical while others are chemical. A physical sunscreen sits on the outer layer of skin and forms a barrier. When UV rays reach the skin, the rays bounce off without getting absorbed. A chemical sunscreen also sits on the surface but then reacts with ultraviolet radiation. This reaction creates heat and free radicals. These molecules stay on the skin or within the upper layers as the skin tries to act as a barrier.
Are Sunscreens Cancer-Causing or Cancer-Preventing?
In the United States, the FDA currently allows sixteen sunscreens. Fourteen of those are chemical sunscreens. At the moment, the FDA is reevaluating those fourteen because new research shows that many of these chemical filters may penetrate the skin and reach the bloodstream. The concern is that the interaction between ultraviolet radiation and these chemicals produces free radicals and that the absorption into the body may go beyond what is considered safe. There is also concern for the environment. Some chemical sunscreens have shown harmful effects on coral reefs by disrupting photosynthesis. As a longtime health coach, I always say that if something harms another living system, it is worth questioning how it affects us, too.
To avoid these chemicals, look at the active ingredients list and avoid Cinoxate, Dioxybenzone, Homosalate, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Padimate O, Sulisobenzone, Oxybenzone, and Avobenzone until we know more.
So what do we know right now? We know the FDA is reexamining the safety of many chemical sunscreen ingredients. And if you are like me, one of the biggest reasons we wear sunscreen is to help prevent skin cancer. The EPA published research in 2006, and many conversations have continued since showing that sunscreen does not seem to protect against melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It may help protect against other types of skin cancer, such as squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, but there is no strong data showing sunscreen prevents melanoma. It looks like minimizing ultraviolet radiation is key, and the type of sunscreen matters a lot.
A safer choice is physical sunscreen made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which the FDA considers safe. When shopping, choose products that list only zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both.
And we still have more ways to support our skin.
Alternatives to Traditional Sunscreen
Outside of physical and chemical sunscreens, there are other ways to support your skin. Shade is one of the easiest tools we have. Protective clothing can help too, and you don’t need special items. Regular clothing that covers your body works. A hat is a great option to protect your face.
If you want even more support, antioxidants can help. Sunscreens help block ultraviolet radiation while antioxidants help defend against the effects of UV exposure. Once ultraviolet radiation reaches the skin, it can react with collagen or even damage DNA by generating free radicals. Antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals. They can support the skin while you are in the sun and after you come inside. Omega-3 fatty acids may also help in this way. Oils like flaxseed oil and hempseed oil are two possibilities. I have used astaxanthin personally and also this antioxidant spray, which you may want to explore.
Keep in mind that the body uses these ingredients for many processes, so they can be depleted quickly. Antioxidants often need reapplication, and remember, they help with the effects of ultraviolet radiation, not the rays themselves, so you can still burn without other protection.
Fun in the Sun
Summer brings heat, long days outside, and lots of fun. And taking care of our health includes paying attention to what we put on our skin. Look for physical sunscreens instead of chemical options. Add protective clothing and hats. Support your body with antioxidants and Omega-3s. With all that in mind, I am ready for a pool day. Happy summer!