Do You Know What Sunscreen Does to Your Body?

Let’s explore the ingredients used in your sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.

What Exactly is in Sunscreen?

Pull out your beach bag and take a look at a can of sunscreen. You may be astonished. The fancy marketing on the front gives way to a lengthy list of fine print on the back. Once you find the ingredients, you will notice one or more of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or octinoxate. I have been conditioned to believe all of these chemicals must be needed to prevent skin cancer and other damaging effects of the sun. Surely, they would not be added for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes, right?

Wrong. I have been scrutinizing the chemicals I am using, so I decided to perform research on the sunscreen. Among other like-minded articles, here is an outline of chemicals being used in store-bought sunscreen ingredients and their potentially harmful side effects. It turns out most of these ingredients weren’t researched extensively for their health effects before being allowed onto our shelves. Many were simply grandfathered in when the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) started monitoring sunscreen in the late 1970s.

Now, you may be saying, “Yes, that stuff may not be good, but it’s better than sunburn and skin cancer so I see no reason to not buy it. And, it’s not like I can avoid the sun for the rest of my life.” This is true. The goal of sunscreen is to avoid sunburn and the damage it causes, namely skin cancer. That is exactly why I want you to re-evaluate your sunscreen. You can get all of the benefits of sun protection using natural minerals and oils. Avoiding potential negative damage from chemicals will benefit your skin and internal organs. Let’s explore sunscreen together.

Why Does Sunscreen Contain Chemicals Anyway?

Here is a simple way to think about the active ingredients in sunscreen. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen may be divided into two different types: physical and chemical. In a physical barrier, the minerals, titanium and zinc oxide, create the screen or block. Both of these minerals have been classified as “safe and effective” by the FDA. They create a physical barrier on top of your skin to prevent skin damage. Mineral sunblocks are specifically recommended for people with sensitive skin, including children.

Why Do Sunscreen Makers use Chemicals?

The chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are formulated so ingredients blend right into your skin and get absorbed quickly. The chemical compounds enhance the usability of the sunscreen. These sunscreens do not leave residue or lotion marks on your skin due to their superior absorption.

The chemicals create a prettier product and one that is simpler to use. In fact, the chemicals make spray applications possible and what could be easier than that? For the ease and the cosmetic appeal, we allow chemicals into our sunscreen, but what do we give up for those benefits?

Sunscreen Absorption and Your Body

The FDA recently began studying the chemicals used in sunscreen. They identified several interesting findings. Recent studies do indicate that the chemicals used in sunscreen do seep into your skin all the way to your bloodstream. The chemical seepage into your circulatory system requires more research. So far, no evidence links this absorption to any significant health issues, however, there is also no evidence to indicate it is safe, either. The question I would ask, “Do I want these chemicals under my skin, in my blood, and being absorbed by my organs?” My answer is no. I will use topical sunscreen ingredients only.

Conversely, mineral sunscreens stay on top of your skin. Very little, if any, of the oxides or the natural oils seep into your skin. If they do, it likely is something you are already consuming, like coconut oil or cocoa butter. These sunscreens will be heavier and thicker and block the sun and elements from penetrating your skin. I like the sound of that since I have been hearing much about bacteria in our swimming waters. I would like to keep that off my body as well.

Interested in reducing chemicals and creating your own sunscreen? Keep reading and check out my video!

Here’s How to Make your Own Sunblock

To make sunscreen, you will need solid and liquid oils plus titanium or zinc oxide. I choose to use zinc oxide since I have been using that on my kids since they were babies. In the video, you will see beeswax, cocoa butter and coconut oil for solid oils and castor, jojoba, and coconut liquid oils. The ratios are simple:

• 50% Solid Oil
• 50% Liquid Oil
• 10-25% Zinc or Titanium Oxide

Now, I know that adds up to more than 100%. Let me provide an example. If you want about 12 ounces of lotion, use 5 ounces of solid oil, 5 ounces of liquid oil, and 2 ounces of oxide. You can use any type of high-quality oil and you can feel free to mix and match as I have done below. I would use between 15-20% oxide in the mixture depending on your sun sensitivity. Take a look at my ingredients in the video below.

Once you have the ingredients assembled and measured, you melt the solid oils in a double boiler. I am sure you could also use the microwave but I think lotion works best with low, steady heat. Once the solid elements melt, stir in the oxide until it is completely dissolved. When that occurs, add the liquid elements and the coloring and scented oils. In this batch, I added carrot seed oil (Unfortunately, in the video I mistakenly call it coconut seed oil. Whatever that is.) to enhance the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) plus it is a nutritious moisturizer. Once that is all added, slowly cool the mixture and pour into jars just before it solidifies completely.

Go Ahead, Take a Dip!

Making your own sunscreen will take time to assemble the ingredients and put everything together. That may be a deal-breaker for some. If that is the case, I recommend looking for natural products using zinc or titanium oxide. It will be different than the “normal” sunscreen experience but I think your body and bloodstream will thank you for it. Until the research comes back complete, I plan to limit my exposure to these unknown chemicals.

If you do decide to take the plunge, congratulations! It is a fun way to spend part of the day, it piques the creative spirit, and you end up with sunscreen you should be proud to use at the pool or the beach. It also is a great moisturizing lotion you can use on perpetually dry or rough skin if you happen to have any of that. Happy creating!