Most of us are exposed to many different types of propaganda in the form of advertising on a daily basis. A majority of the time these advertisements are trying to sell us products we don’t need. At this time of year, it is difficult to read a magazine, take a drive, or watch television without hearing or seeing an ad for sunscreen.
Mainstream media is obsessed with telling people to avoid the sun and apply copious amounts of sunscreen. Dermatologists and the American Medical Association (AMA) say the sun is bad and that one should avoid it at all costs. But what are those costs? Recent studies have shown that sunscreen, which has been widely promoted over the last 30+ years, could be doing much more harm than good.
Sunscreen blocks vitamin D production, which is an essential nutrient for health and cancer prevention. Many major brands of sunscreen also contain toxic chemicals, which are absorbed through the skin, enter the bloodstream, and then circulate throughout the body. Could blocking vitamin D synthesis and slathering toxic chemicals on our skin actually be among the main causes of skin cancer?
3 Main Types of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with nearly five million people treated annually. The 3 most common types of skin cancer are:
- Basal cell carcinomas comprise 80 percent of all skin cancers. Basal cancers used to show up only in middle-aged groups, but are increasingly present in younger people. These cancers grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body.
- Squamous cell carcinomas are more likely to grow into deeper layers of the skin and spread to other parts of the body, although this is still rare. Interestingly, squamous cell cancers exist more frequently in darker skinned individuals in areas hidden from the sun such as on the bottoms of their feet or palms of their hands.
- Melanoma accounts for less than 2% of all cases of skin cancer, but is more likely to grow and spread if left untreated, making it more deadly. According to skincancer.org, getting more than five sunburns increases your odds of getting melanoma by 80%.
One concerning fact about skin cancer is that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), rates have doubled in the last 30 years. While the use of sunscreen has also doubled, the CDC, AMA, and cancer industry continue to recommend people avoid the sun and use sunscreen, while ignoring the importance of vitamin D and a healthy diet in skin cancer prevention.
Is Sunscreen a Cause of Skin Cancer?
Dermatologists and medical professionals blame the sun for the increase in skin cancer because it is the largest source of ultra violet radiation (UV). However, many leading-edge doctors and health experts contradict popular dogma about the sun being the main cause of skin cancer.
Lifestyle choices and diet play a far more important role than sun exposure when it comes to getting skin cancer. Bernard Ackerman, MD, the founding father of dermatopathology, which specializes in the study of cutaneous diseases at a microscopic and molecular level, has studied the issue of skin cancer extensively. He’s concluded that evidence that the sun causes skin cancer is inconsistent and inconclusive. “While some studies do show a small association, he says, others show none.”
One of the world’s leading authorities on natural cancer cures, Dr. Leonard Coldwell, asserts that the chemicals in sunscreen cause most skin cancers and not the sun.
In addition, a 2004 study in the medical journal The Lancet showed indoor workers were twice as likely to get skin cancer as those who spent more time in the sun: “Paradoxically, outdoor workers have a decreased risk of melanoma compared with indoor workers, suggesting that chronic sunlight exposure can have a protective effect.”
Lack of sunlight means lack of vitamin D, which is a necessary nutrient for the body’s immune system to function properly. Low vitamin D levels are linked to health problems, including cancer. Appropriate sun exposure helps maintain adequate levels of vitamin D. Using sunscreen interferes with that exposure and could be contributing to the rise in skin cancer.
Are Sunscreens Really Safe to Use?
Sunscreen prevents sunburn by blocking UVB rays thus disabling the skin, allowing us to be in the sun longer than what is natural. Most major brands of sunscreen block UVB while allowing UVA, which actually causes more damage to the skin. In addition, UVB is required to produce vitamin D, so blocking it seems contradictory to good health and cancer prevention.
Sunscreen often contains cancer-causing chemicals that bake into the skin and get absorbed into the bloodstream, over-taxing the liver with toxins. Here are some of the offenders:
- OMC – The main chemical used in sunscreens to filter out UVB is octyl methoxycinnamate (aka “OMC”) which has been shown to kill mouse cells even at low doses. Plus, it was also shown to be particularly toxic when exposed to the sun. And guess what? OMC is present in the vast majority of sunscreen brands!
- Titanium dioxide – another common ingredient in sunscreens, has been classified as “a potential occupational carcinogen” by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- Oxybenzone – oxybenzone becomes carcinogenic when exposed to the sun and has been found to be a hormone disruptor! The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends consumers avoid oxybenzone, and yet it remains in many major brands of sunscreen.
- Derivatives of vitamin A such as retinol and retinyl palmitate – AOL News reported that about half the sunscreens tested in a study contained derivatives of vitamin A such as retinol and retinyl palmitate. These ingredients have been found to be photocarcinogenic by the FDA’s own studies, meaning the ingredients become toxic and cancer causing when exposed to sunlight.
- Diesopropyl adipate – in 2006, the National Toxicology Program reported that diesopropyl adipate, another ingredient in many sunscreens, increased the incidence of tumors in laboratory animals.
In addition, there are many more questionable chemicals in sunscreen never proven to be safe or effective for use on the skin. Andreas Moritz, a leading practitioner in the field of alternative and integrative medicine, goes so far as to state, “Sunscreen is the leading cause of skin cancer.”
The Importance of Vitamin D3
The best way to absorb adequate vitamin D is to get natural sunlight and avoid sunscreen, which blocks UVB. Vitamin D is essential in growing and maintaining strong bones, promoting a healthy immune system, and protecting against various forms of cancer. It is a fundamental element to human health. On the other hand, chronic vitamin D deficiency (blood levels below 50 ng/ml) promotes cancer and disease, and can wreak havoc on one’s health.
Getting Safe Sun Exposure
Safe UV exposure alone does not cause skin cancer. Two studies published in 2005, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, provide evidence that “solar radiation may have a beneficial influence in both the incidence and outcome of cancer;” thus validating the sun and vitamin D as cancer prevention and treatment.
The general recommendation is to get 15 to 30 minutes a day of direct sunlight to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D. Darker-skinned individuals need more sun exposure because they have more melanin in their skin, which blocks UVB. For people in colder climates who don’t have the opportunity for sun exposure, certain types of tanning beds can safely be used, but make sure they have less harmful UVA than sunlight and have electronic ballasts instead of magnetic ballasts to limit electromagnetic radiation exposure.
With sun exposure it is best to start with 10 minutes and work up to about 30 minutes, ensuring the skin does not get too pink. If required to be in the sun for extended periods, wearing a hat and extra clothing is better to protect skin from burning instead of using sunscreen.
Getting a tan protects skin naturally from burning. In addition, it is best not to use soap on sun-exposed skin for up to 48 hours so that the body can absorb all the vitamin D it makes.
A 2014 Swedish study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine followed almost 30,000 women for 20 years. Researchers concluded that women who avoid the sun are at increased risk for skin melanomas and are twice as likely to die from any type of cancer compared to those with high sun exposure. Perhaps popular mainstream advice regarding sun exposure and the use of sunscreen is not beneficial for women’s health after all!
If using sunscreen, use a natural or non-toxic brand. Make sure that it doesn’t contain carcinogenic chemicals such as oxybenzone and vitamin A derivatives which become carcinogenic when exposed to the sun. (The EWG has a free online guide that allows you to check the toxicity level of skincare products, including sunscreen.)
Zinc oxide is safe in the sun and is the EWG’s first choice for sun protection. It provides greater protection from UVA rays than any other sunscreen chemical approved in the United States. Natural ingredients such as coconut oil and shea butter are safe in sunscreen and can help nourish and protect the skin.
A Healthy Diet Can Help Prevent Cancer and Sunburn
While getting safe sun exposure is important, so is eating a diet that is high in antioxidant-rich foods, which helps prevent sunburn. When solar rays hit the skin, antioxidants come to the surface and act like sunscreen, forming a protective shield. Foods rich in antioxidants include berries, apples, beans, and dark-leafy greens to name a few. Getting plenty of healthy fats is also essential.
One of the world’s best-known dermatologists, Nicholas Perricone, MD, recommends eating foods that contain natural astaxanthin, a super antioxidant found in different seafood such as wild sockeye salmon, shrimp, lobster, and red trout. Astaxanthin can also be taken as a supplement, and acts as an internal sunscreen for the body. It can also help protect the skin from UV damage when applied topically.
Last but not least, avoid obvious risk factors for skin cancer (and other cancers) such as smoking and eating too much sugar and junk foods, and avoid burning your skin when in the sun. Even though the body has an easier time processing sunburn than it does dealing with the damaging effects of sunscreen, it is still best to protect your skin from burning in the first place.
Article Summary
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with nearly five million people treated annually. The 3 most common types of skin cancer are:
- Basal cell carcinomas (80% of all skin cancers)
- Squamous cell carcinomas
- Melanoma
Mainstream media is obsessed with telling people to avoid the sun and apply copious amounts of sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. But recent studies have shown that sunscreen could be doing much more harm than good.
Sunscreen blocks vitamin D production, which is an essential nutrient for health and cancer prevention. Many major brands of sunscreen also contain toxic chemicals, which are absorbed through the skin, enter the bloodstream, and then circulate throughout the body.
Cancer-causing chemicals found in sunscreens include:
- Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC)
- Titanium dioxide
- Oxybenzone
- Derivatives of vitamin A such as retinol and retinyl palmitate
- Diesopropyl adipate
The best way to absorb adequate vitamin D is to get natural sunlight and avoid sunscreen, which blocks UVB. The general recommendation is to get 15 to 30 minutes a day of direct sunlight although darker-skinned individuals may need longer. Start with 10 minutes and work your way up, ensuring the skin does not get too pink.
If required to be in the sun for extended periods, wearing a hat and extra clothing is better to protect skin from burning instead of using sunscreen. If using sunscreen, use a natural or non-toxic brand. (The EWG has a free online guide to help.)
Eating a diet that is high in antioxidant-rich foods can also help prevent sunburn.
1) Have you ever heard of broad spectrum protection? Plenty of sunscreens block BOTH UVA and UVB rays.
2) There are other ways to get vitamin D than being in the sun
3) getting vit D through sunshine and baking in the sun for hours as many do are two totally different things. Ever hear someone defend their sunbathing as “getting their vit. D”? I have.
4) Some of us with super pale skin of English heritage simply cannot be out in the sun. We burn. And burn bad. Sadly I also happen to love hiking. So my choices are to hike only at sun up or sundown or to wear sunscreen along with my sun hat and long sleeve sun protecting clothing. I need all the help I can get since I love being outdoors so much.
Good article just clearly biased against sunscreen and that is ridiculous. Why not categorize the good and bad sunscreens? Also coconut oil made my skin burn even more!
Hi Lisa,
I like your points, but this is not a biased against sunblock. I think sunblock is necessary for sunbathing. Walking or playing in the sun is a different story. I think she is saying try to leave the house without sunblock on. Get direct sunlight that is adequate for your skin type. Apply the right kind of sunblock there after.
Think about this from a logical perspective. Not all sunscreens are created equal. there are very toxic chemicals that are found in most. Many people absorb things like magnesium into their bloodstream by rubbing it on their feet. Why isn’t that the same for toxic chemicals? Furthermore we are going out in radiant light possibly causing a chemical reaction on our skin.
One of the reasons we are told not to eat the skin or fat of conventionally raised animals is because the impurities from antibiotics and an unnatural diet are stored there. So if you are not making food choices that are informed and nutritious, these toxins again are being stored in your skin. Again, radiant light my cause a chemical reaction.
My advice is to use sunblock that is natural and contains a combination zinc and coconut oil. If you cannot pronounce an ingredient you should not ingest it. If you would not ingest it, it should not go on your skin. There are a number of brands that I won’t plug on here. I hope you find this helpful.
my husband is Irish and suffered the same way. I am Austrian and have no problem using Coconut oil (doing this for years).Years ago we were on a skiing holiday in Austria and a Doctor told me to give my husband aprox 1/2 weeks bevor going on a sun holiday every day a Vitamin A Capsule. We did and he NEVER got sunburn since. When you do get burned, take a Vitamin A Capsule, it takes away the pain. It is not recommended to take Vitamin A for a long time, but there is nothing better than this little Pill. – you should enjoy the sun, she is your best friend!
Hey Landee,
Thanks a lot for this comprehensive article! I’ve recently been researching and writing on this subject; this article shares a lot of inspiration and useful tips!
I’d like to add the environmental perspective: oxybenzone and other chemicals in commercial sunscreen products are wreaking havoc on coral reefs! This is actually a global issue with huge consequences.
Another reason to practice sensible sun exposure and opt for healthier alternatives!
Thanks again and keep up the great work!
It sucks that this totally goes against what i just read. So many opinions backed up by research on both sides. All chemicals that were sited here do not exist in banana boat sun screen. And vitamin D can be obtained frim many resources. This is just me but it feels like this organic use all natural thing makes everything synthetic evil. Vaccines are evil, cereal is evil, everything causes cancer. All studies are false if it goes against all natural. No there is only confusion….
Synthetic IS evil. Case closed.
Hey Landee, youre a Batchelor of Psychology, and neither an expert in oncology, or electromagnetic radiation… or I’m guessing a practicing psychologist?
Why don’t you do aomething psychological and study the causes of buying into conspiracy theories that fly in the face of decsdes medical scientific knowledge, and its correlation with the stupidity of the individuals who buy into said theories?
Or something scholarly, like how proponents of conspiracy theories that fly in the face of medical science have a status as an expert in a field unconnected to the facet of medicine, are an absolute quack making ridiculously unverifiable claims with no proof of said, or a “concerned mother” – yes, i googled your two quoted sources, and read your blurb. Says a lot…
BTW the ingredients that go into vaccines include allergens such as egg, which can lead to a 1 in a MILLION chance of severe anyphalactic shock. And for a matter of fact, all medicines have a chance of side effects – my antidepressants has the side effect of flatulence – was nausea and a very upset stomach to start with but settled since.
Im sorry to hear your little one was affected. My sister had an allergic reaction to one of the childhood vaccines when she was a kid. It happens, and its an unfortunate minority. My sister is fine now (married, two kids) – she just had to skip that particular vaccine.
Or maybe its a full blown worldwide medical conspiracy to kill your son? I can talk about irrational paranoia too – psychotic episode at 18, believed i was under surveillance, but it was just my dopamine levels going through the roof.
Happy to chat about my experiences and world gained knowledge any time. Btw also have a son, guess what he didnt develop from any of his vaccines? Any of the illnesses or perceived ill effects according to vaccine denialists
Also if you had any reading comprehension at all you would see that she is not citing herself as a source of the info but she actually cites several leading experts and agencies in the field. Apparently that went right over your head.
Trent, maybe she could do a study of how the argument you make that “one should stick to only speaking about their certification” has made human beings dumber, fatter, and chronically ill. Generations that were healthier and more prosperous than ours all came with knowledge that was passed down from “mom’s knowledge”. The medical community has destroyed this knowledge with its “facts”. The only facts that exist are in mathematics and logic so what they call facts are merely commonly accepted practice. If you are not familiar with the medical community, you will know that a great deal of their training comes from pharmaceutical companies and finance.
I am surprised you are attacking the author about vaccines when she is discussing sunscreen. Vaccines do contain things like mercury. Yes we ingest and inhale mercury often, but things like our nose hairs, celia, liver, kidneys, etc all do their work to filter it out before it enters our bloodstream. Vaccines go directly to the vein. So yes, there are reactions taking place. This is not a conspiracy. Have you ever seen a child break into fever after the MMR vaccine? It is known as the autistic fever and only few return from it. Do yourself a favor and watch that before calling out this author and the experiences of every single mother who has gone through this. That is the medical communities biggest problem. They think they know children better than a mother would. They think they know your body better than you do. They are still just guessing and in 100 years the things they do today will be in an archaic medical museum and appear frightening.
Trent, I think if you were around when the Wright brothers were building there flying machine you would have denounced there efforts as totally ridiculous and insane for even trying to do something so foolish
I golf with a buddy that almost dips himself in suntan lotion and he is always getting cancer cut off him. I am nicely tanned and don’t use that nasty lotion and have not had to have any cancer removed. I think i will stay far away from suntan lotion. We live in Arizona where the sun shines all the time.
Oh by the way the earth is not flat.
Great article Landee, it takes a lot of time and energy to educate yourself on the nasty nature of the world’s current sun creams and sunscreens, don’t let people question your qualifications or buy into their personal attacks, I think this was a well written and scientifically justified article.
As Alex mentioned, it is not just us these synthetic chemicals are causing cancer in, but they actually mutate and destroy coral polyp cells and the bacteria’s they rely on that supply them with energy.
Full disclosure I work to rid the world of chemical and synthetic sunscreens, even those containing Titanium Dioxide. You can find out more about our company from the link provided.
Keep up the great work!
In the 5 cancer causing ingredients above you have claimed that many health bodies have come to various conclusions that they are cancer causing! Yet you have provided no links to any: published medical journals, no links to government websites and no links to books that may prove the claims you have made!
Where I am under no doubt that you are telling the truth, you have left it for me to try and find these sources myself. Since you have already done the groundwork, why make it more difficult for people to follow your work?
Many other similar articles to your DO provide links to their sources, so I am bemused as to why you have not…
I have used zinc oxide for years when I go for a swim and it iis usually in the later part of the day. I do sit in the sun in the am for about 10 minutes a day when I can but don’t get any in the Winter. I and millions suffer from the chemicals in many products and sunscreen does bother my breathing. I had heard for years about the sunscreen has so many bad chamicals sadly so many of our products are not safe. I never had the problem with them til 20 years ago and come to find out they can put what ever they want and not reaveal the chemicals. Fragrance can be hundreds of unknown chemicals . Why can’t we get safe products and good info even our food has so many problems.
When you feel victimized, you hand over your power. Instead of focusing on all that’s wrong, recognize it and then find what’s right for you. Investigate, empower yourself with knowledge and listen to the most important sources of information you will ever have…your thoughts and feelings and how your physical condition (and everything else in your life) is a manifestation of both of these.
I don’t need studies to tell me what I already know. The sun is your much needed friend, but somehow has been deemed our enemy. Its not the sunscreen itself, but the blockage of receiving sunlight whether through sunscreen or clothing. I get sun every day it’s out and lie out between 12 and 3 when it’s strongest. I never wear sunscreen and usually I’m in very little clothing. My skin is soft, youthful and glowing. I also walk barefoot almost everywhere including rocks and still my feet are pretty and soft as a baby’s bottom. My diet is optimal with minimal supplementation…exercise 5-6 times a week be it yoga, aerobics, pilates, qi gong, cycling. I spend a lot of time in nature, I meditate regularly, sleeps solid 8 each night, drunk 60+ounces of water a day, dance, sing, play, laugh, get regular massage, live my creative passions. This is my personal truth, knowledge and wisdom. It’s not one singular thing that determines ones health…including family history or age. Stop arguing for your limitations and accepting less than what you desire and also know to be true for yourself. Listen to your inner guidance over everyone, and by everyone, I mean everyone.
Great article, Landee! Do continue writing well-researched articles like this one! And don’t let people question your qualifications! And, do not respond to their personal attacks!
From Canada, with love,
Rob
A superb article! Your work supports all of my own personal findings. Thank you for sharing.