ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Sunscreen: Doing more harm than good?

It’s important to understand that there are two basic types of sunscreen you can buy: Chemical and Physical. 

Chemical sunscreens are those which you rub or spray onto the skin and are easily absorbed. Their active ingredients act like a sponge to absorb the sun’s ultraviolet rays, preventing your skin from absorbing them and thus preventing sunburn. 

Mineral sunscreens are those which you rub onto the skin but aren’t that easily absorbed. These sun screens sit on top of the skin, acting as a physical barrier to block the sun’s rays from being absorbed by your skin. 

In 2021, the FDA, proposed its most recent updates to sunscreen regulations. It found that only two ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, could be classified as safe and effective, based on the currently available information.  

Sunscreen products are intended to be applied to the body, as we know. The companies that make and sell sunscreen products should thoroughly test their products for potential side effects. This includes irritation and skin allergies, skin absorption and the potential to cause cancer, disrupt the hormone system and cause harm during reproduction and development. 

The FDA stated that twelve ingredients were proposed as not generally recognized as safe and effective due to insufficient data: avobenzone, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, padimate O, and sulisobenzone.  But in recent years, many studies have also raised concerns about endocrine-disrupting effects of three ingredients: homosalate, avobenzone and oxybenzone. 

The FDA has required additional safety information from these manufactures because of health concerns. Studies by the agency have shown these ingredients can be absorbed through the skin. Other studies have reported finding sunscreen ingredients in breast milk, urine and blood plasma samples. And now with spray on, it’s possible for sunscreen users to inhale ingredients or ingest some of the ingredients they apply to their lips, so you need to be sure the ingredients are not harmful to your lungs or internal organs. 

The most troublesome active ingredient is oxybenzone. This is readily absorbed through the skin and many studies have found it can interfere with our hormones and may cause more harm to children. 

Well there is good news. There are products out there that do not contain any of these toxic chemicals and are just as effective at preventing sunburns. As I stated above, mineral sunscreens are made with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreens offer the most protection because they're literally creating a physical barrier between you and the sun. The FDA proposed that both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide be classified as safe and effective. Evidence suggests that few, if any, zinc or titanium particles penetrate the skin to reach living tissues. 

When shopping for sunscreen for your family, do some research and know exactly what you’re putting on and the possible harmful effects. Wearing sunscreen is one of the best and easiest ways to protect your skin's appearance and health at any age. Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging.

• • •

Dr. Wayne M. Fichter Jr., D.C., is a chiropractor at Natural Spine Solutions. The business is located at 3913 Schreiber Way in Coeur d’Alene. For more information, please contact us at 208-966-4425.