http://www.care2.com/greenliving/do-you-know-whats-in-your-sunscreen.html
Do You Know What’s In Your Sunscreen?
Antioxidant Assistance
Also adding extra value to their products, many manufacturers are including vitamins and botanicals that may boost a sunscreen’s ability to protect you from the sun. How? By using the antioxidant capabilities of these nutrients to prevent free-radical damage.
“When ultraviolet light hits your skin, it creates free radicals—molecules missing an electron. They start stealing molecules from stable tissues, which results in sunburn or other skin damage and ultimately can lead to cancer,” Grossman says. Antioxidants work by donating an electron to the free radical so it doesn’t steal from our tissues, he says.
Vitamins C and E, for instance, are particularly beneficial. Initial studies show that when used topically, they can give skin four times more sun protection. Furthermore, when taken together, vitamins C and E work synergistically to provide better protection than when taken alone. They work so well, according to research, because the sun lowers the skin’s levels of vitamins C and E, indicating that one way the sun may damage skin is by lowering its antioxidant defenses. It helps when we can build up natural defenses with topical applications.
Scientists also are discovering that plant antioxidants work as natural sunscreens. A recent study found that topically applied lycopene (found in fruits such as tomatoes, guava and watermelon) provided even more free-radical protection than vitamins C and E. Other antioxidants are beta-carotene found in orange-colored vegetables, the catechins found in green tea, and isoflavones found in soy.
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17 comments
add your comment »I am happy to say that I use a sunscreen that is non-toxic to humans and the planet! I have also found a skin care line the is scientifically proven to block ALL free radicals!
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Most of the sunscreens available on the market block damaging radiation through a concoction of different chemical ingredients. These products are normally in the forms of creams or sprays. Once sunscreen is applied onto the skin, the chemicals work to both reflect and scatter the radiation, or absorb it. In recent years, there have been many questions raised about the safety and effectiveness of these chemicals. Some scientists claim these chemicals produce free radicals, which actually increase skin damage and the risk of skin cancer, rather than lowering it. Another concern is that these synthetic chemicals may accumulate in the human body, and can actually reach the blood stream by being absorbed through the skin. Since the goal of using a sunscreen is to protect the body, and not harm it, many consumers have turned to using organic sunscreen to protect their families.
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Sun protection AND exposure is much easier than we think; research, phobias, etc...over the last few decades have confused the topic.
http://www.wabisabibaby.com/blog/2009/common-sense-sun-protection-and-homemade-sunscreens/
Common sense sun awareness, the way our grandparents and people all over the world cope with sun exposure in the absence of readily available sunscreen, remains the most practical approach. As for sunscreen, conventional zinc oxide is still the safest sunscreen even though it is not currently marketed as a sunscreen. You do not even need a thick white coat to be protected. Even a thin layer will offer some degree of protection. Plain zinc oxide ointments are also much cheaper than any zinc oxide sunscreen product on the market. If you don't like the whitish tint, you can also make your own zinc oxide sunscreen and tint it with iron oxides and mica (same concepts as diy mineral makeup). It is also unclear which came first: consumer demand or the availability and marketing of the cheaper clear sunscreens.
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I appreciate the differences mentioned between sun screens and sun blocks. However, it is not true that UV rays are causing cancer. Rather, the chemicals absorbed into the skin actually encourages cancer mutations.
Another point is, the human body NEEDS some daily sunshine (up to 7 to 15 mins a day is sufficient). Lack of sunshine means the body does not create its own natural Vitamin D. Vitamin D works in synergy with calcium, magnesium and other enzymes; without these absorption of vitamins and nutrients are interfered. An interference with body's metabolism will affect/compromise the body's immunity.
People who do not visit beaches, tanning salons etc and who use sun screens or sun blocks are not protected more from Cancer, in fact the opposite is true.
As for freckles or age spots, they're caused by Omega 6 oils (cooking oils) and iron reacting to free radicals. They are not caused by exposure to sunlight either.
More info, please google for: K "V" Van Cleef , Dr. Raymond Peat and Dr. Kradjian
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Great topic---something we want to start researching!!!
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I'm boycotting these click-through-multiple-page articles.
SO unnecessary.
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I use a sunscreen that is nontoxic to humans and the environment and it is very effective!
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Our phobia of the sun is crazy. Our ancestors did NOT have the cancer rates we have nowadays, and by screening our body against the sun, we are blocking our own access to a very important vitamin, Vitamin D3! Studies are being done currently about the importance of this vitamin.
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Again with multiple pages. And the entire article is not even on the last page. (I tried the "click on the left arrow" trick. It didn't work.) Why do you keep doing this?
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Obviously there is more confusion than ever in sunscreens. I do applaud Anna for covering very succinctly the important things you should know about sunscreens. Here at Soléo Organics, we strive to adhere to the highest organic standards and efficacy when it comes to premium natural sunscreen protection. Soléo was just named the number one safest sunscreen today by the Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org. OH, AND HAPPY 4TH!
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