When you have a newborn, you'll often hear the recommendation to only use zinc oxide sunscreen until they are six months old. This made me wonder, if other sunscreens shouldn't be used by infants, why do older kids and adults use them? Should they?
I've long opted for the "healthy looking" sunscreens often adorning the shelves of Whole Foods, but I've never really been strict about it or understood the rationale for using these lotions that leave your skin feeling a little whiter than you'd like. So, let's dig in.
Skin Basics
First, we need to review some basic Biology 101 about our skin. Skin is an organ, and like your gut, it has its own microbiome consisting of various bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that help maintain skin health and protect against pathogens. It plays a role in our endocrine system, which means it's involved in making various hormones (testosterone, estrogen) and is part of the pathway our body uses to produce Vitamin D. The thickness of your skin varies throughout your body. Think about your eyelid compared to the palm of your hand. The outermost layer of your skin is the epidermis. Below that is the dermis and below that is fat.
Risks of Sun Exposure
There is no debating that excessive sun exposure can increase risks of certain types of cancer. The sun emits a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, which includes several types of light. There's the light we can see. There's infrared light, which is essentially the sun's warmth. And finally, UV light, which we can't see. UV light penetrates the epidermal layer of our skin. When it does this, it can cause changes in the way that DNA functions. Essentially, the DNA can mutate and interfere with the process where DNA is transcribed into RNA and RNA into proteins. These proteins contribute to a cell's functions and help maintain homeostasis.
It's perhaps imporatnt to note that the humane body has mechanisms to repair some of the UV-induced DNA damage, but excessive or repeated exposure can overwhelm these repair processes and lead to mutations that may result in cancer.
The Amazing Power of Sunlight
I'm a big believer in sunscreen, but I also believe in the power of sun light for health. Being exposed to the sun has a multitude of benefits from setting our circadian rhythms to stimulating the production of estrogen, testosterone and even some endorphins. When the sun is low in the sky, thats generally a safe time to get sun exposure. UV radiation is more intense when the sun is highest in the sky.
Two Types of Sunscreens
There are two main types of sunscreens: chemical (or organic) sunscreen and mineral (or inorganic) sunscreen. Zinc oxide is one of two main ingredients that can be found in mineral sunscreens. Some mineral sunscreens also contain some titanium dioxide, which helps the lotion spread and absorb into the skin better. Doctors recommend mineral-based sunscreens for babies under six months.
Mineral sunscreens actually function different than chemical sunscreens. They reflect UV light away from your skin. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb the UV light, also preventing it from impacting the skin.
Doctors recommend zinc oxide sunscreens for infants because before six months, infants' skin is more permeable and sensitive. As you age, the skin develops more protection barriers.
Even as our skin matures, the debate over using chemical sunscreens continues. My perspective? Given the potential risks, I prefer to avoid them.
Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone, which raise concerns about their impact on the endocrine system. These substances might disrupt hormonal balance, making them a risk I’m not willing to take.
Since mineral-based sunscreens are comparably priced, widely available, and just as easy to apply, I opt for the safer choice.
Oxybenzone has been shown to have potential endocrine-disrupting effects. It can mimic estrogen, a key hormone in the body, by binding to estrogen receptors. This mimicry can interfere with normal hormone function. Studies have indicated that oxybenzone may affect reproductive health, potentially influencing puberty and fertility. It might also impact thyroid function, though research is ongoing to fully understand these effects.
Avobenzone is considered to be less problematic in terms of endocrine disruption compared to oxybenzone. Although there is some evidence suggesting it might have some bad effects.
The Best Sunscreens for the Whole Family
While I’m not an expert, I rely on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for sunscreen recommendations. Their ratings range from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most harmful, and they offer a trusted EWG verification stamp on some products.
You can explore their comprehensive database to find detailed information on various sunscreens, including specific ingredients and associated risks. They also provide filtered recommendations for baby and kids' sunscreens.
Personally, I use ThinkKids and ThinkBaby for both my child and myself. I avoid spray sunscreens due to their uneven application and potential respiratory irritation.
The Other Type of Sunscreen
Sometimes we forget that physical barriers are also a form of sunscreen. Hats, long-sleeve shirts, sunglasses, sun sleeves, etc. also serve to protect us from the sun. They are effective and come virtually with no risk.
A regular cotton shirt will provide some protection from UV rays—blocking about 80-90% of the sun's harmful UV rays. A UV-blocking shirt with a UPF of 50 will block a whopping 98% of UV rays.
These fabrics are often treated with UV-blocking agents to enhance their protective properties. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (discussed above) are used in fabric treatments for UV protection.
Protecting your skin is a year-round commitment—choose wisely and shine safely under the sun.
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