Certain smells always make me think of summer, and one of those smells is commercial sunscreen. That lightly coconut fragrance mixed with a hint of chlorine in the air … mmm. I’m teasing – sort of.
That fragrance may take me back to childhood memories of summer days at the pool, but these days I’m more concerned with what those ingredients are doing to my body than I am with how pleasant I think they smell.
Store shelves are stocked with row upon row of brightly colored bottles filled with sunscreens that promise unlimited fun in the sun without any sunburn or skin damage whatsoever. And yet a closer look at the ingredients reveals a less exciting prospect.
Let’s take a quick look at a few of conventional sunscreen’s most common ingredients:
Oxybenzone is a chemical UV filter found in 65 percent of sunscreens on the market. It’s known to be a hormone disrupter that acts as a weak estrogen in the body (whether your body needs more estrogen or not) and may lower testosterone levels in adolescent boys. Oxybenzone is also associated with allergic reactions. Tests done by the CDC find oxybenzone in the bodies of over 96 percent of Americans.
Octinoxate is another chemical UV filter that has hormonal actions within the body. It shows effects on the reproductive system, thyroid, and behavior and is also connected to skin allergies.
Retinyl Palmitate is a form of vitamin A that many scientists believe is a photocarcinogen, a fancy word that means it increases the risk of skin cancer when applied to skin and then exposed to sunlight. Doesn’t seem like a wise choice for use in sunscreen, does it? Thankfully, many manufacturers have removed retinyl palmitate from their products, but it’s still present in around 1/3 of all sunscreens.
These are only a few of the common sunscreen ingredients that studies have found to be dangerous to health.
And it’s not only sunscreen users who are being affected. Several sunscreen ingredients are found in human milk including oxybenzone, octinoxate, homoalat (another hormone disrupter), and octocrylene (implicated in skin allergies).
A Note About Spray Sunscreen
Though the ingredients are similar to lotion sunscreen, spray sunscreen presents a special concern. Because the product has to be sprayed into the air, it poses an inhalation risk to anyone nearby. The ingredients mentioned above are bad enough when absorbed through the skin – they become even more dangerous when inhaled into the lungs.
Here’s what the Environmental Working Group says about spray sunscreen:
EWG is concerned that these products pose an inhalation risk and may not provide a thick and even coating on skin. In 2011 the FDA raised similar concerns. The agency indicated it would ban sprays unless sunscreen companies submitted more data to prove that spray sunscreens protect skin and pose no safety hazards. Until companies can provide the data to negate these concerns, EWG cautions people to avoid these products.
Here we are seven years later, and as far as I can discover, the sunscreen companies still haven’t proven the safety and effectiveness of spray sunscreen.
How can we enjoy the summer sun?
I don’t advocate avoiding the sun altogether – in fact, I believe strongly in the benefits of daily sun exposure.
My family and I don’t use any sunscreen on normal days when we’re playing or working outside, hiking, having a picnic, etc. Those are the times we’re soaking up the vitamin D our bodies need for good health and well-being.
When we go to the pool, river, or plan to spend all day outdoors at an amusement park, however, sunscreen is an absolute must. As you probably know, being in or around water doubles your sun exposure because the water reflects the UV rays – and thus doubles your risk of getting sunburned. And of course, being outside all day with no shade is an almost surefire way to end up sunburned. (Ask me how I know.)
On these days, we like to use the homemade, all-natural sunscreen that I make. We’ve been using this recipe for three summers now and have always enjoyed good results.
Ingredients in Homemade, All-Natural Sunscreen
Quite a few natural oils and substances have an SPF that will protect skin from getting burned. Combining several of these ingredients builds a good, protective sunscreen that can be used with confidence on kids and adults alike.
Zinc Oxide has an SPF of 2-20 depending on the percentage used in your sunscreen recipe. If your finished product is 5 percent zinc oxide, it will be an SPF of about 5; if the finished product is 20 percent zinc oxide, it will have an SPF of 20.
It’s important to purchase only “non nano zinc oxide.” Some companies process the zinc oxide particles to make them smaller (i.e. nano-sized), but this allows them to be absorbed through the skin, which is not healthy! Non nano particles cannot be absorbed through the skin. (This is the brand I buy.)
Coconut Oil has an SPF of 4-6, provides a nice base for the homemade sunscreen, and is both moisturizing and protective when applied to skin.
Shea Butter has an SPF of 4-6 and is also moisturizing and protective to skin. (I use it as a base for my homemade body lotions too!)
Vitamin E Oil doesn’t add any additional sun protection but is very good for skin. I had some on hand, so I added a bit – but it won’t hurt anything if you leave it out.
Homemade, All-Natural Sunscreen Recipe
½ C. virgin coconut oil
1/3 C. shea butter
1 tsp. vitamin E oil
3 Tbsp. non-nano zinc oxide
Measure coconut oil and shea butter into a double boiler and heat until melted, stirring well. Remove from heat. Add vitamin E oil and zinc oxide (being careful not to breathe the powder) and stir until thoroughly combined.
While still warm, pour the finished sunscreen into small jars or tins.
How to Store and Use Homemade Sunscreen
Store your homemade sunscreen in tightly sealed jars or tins in the refrigerator when not using. This sunscreen will keep for about six months, so you’ll want to make a new batch at the beginning of each summer.
When we’re headed out to spend a day in the sun, I like to keep my jar of all-natural sunscreen in an insulated bag or in the cooler. It’ll be fine if you can’t keep it cold the entire day, but it may melt in the jar. Careful not to spill it!
Apply your homemade sunscreen to all exposed skin and re-apply as needed after swimming, heavy sweating, or after 2-3 hours of sun exposure.
As with all sunscreens, keep out of the reach of children; do not apply near eyes or on lips. (I don’t apply sunscreen to my kids’ hands so that they can’t accidentally rub it in their eyes!) If any skin irritation occurs, discontinue use and wash off sunscreen with soap and water.
Enjoy your fun in the sun!
Sources
Lunder, Sonya M.P.H. “What Scientists Say About Vitamin A in Sunscreen.” EWG. Environmental Working Group, 27 June 2011. Web. 16 July 2018.
“The Trouble with Ingredients in Sunscreens.” EWG. Environmental Working Group. Web. 16 July 2018.