Face it! You really can’t avoid the sun. Summer, winter, cloudy or not, you’re getting exposed. What better way to protect yourself than with a good sunscreen — right??
Well, maybe not.

Dangerous Sunscreens
We all know that the sun is dangerous (after all – it causes the #1 most deadly cancer, and it’s responsible for about 80% of our premature aging), but did you know that most sunscreens are also dangerous? The Environmental Working Group did a study on sunscreens and found most to be either very ineffective or loaded with carcinogens (yes, that means that your actual sunscreen could cause you cancer!) Even titanium dioxide, which was previously thought to be safe, has recently been proven to cause cancer, especially when used in sprays or in nanoparticles. In fact, with nanoparticle technology becoming super common in sunscreens, these carcinogens can easily get into your bloodstream and wreak havoc on your cells. And that doesn’t even take into account all the other nasty chemicals found in these products!
Now that you know, I’m sure you can see why it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re wearing a non-toxic, non-nano sunscreen.

Fortunately, it’s simple to remember what’s safe; the only ingredient that is truly nontoxic and works as a sunscreen is non-nano zinc oxide. It’s a mineral that’s relatively expensive as an ingredient and looks white until you rub it in, which is why many companies don’t use it, or only use it in low quantities mixed with chemical sunscreens that are cheaper or quickly absorb into your skin (and bloodstream!) While chemical sunscreens are cheap to produce and easy to apply, the problem lies in that they aren’t effective against the type of rays that cause aging and cancer, and they are often carcinogenic to boot. Oh yeah, last-but-not-least, they’re also quickly killing the coral reef, which is home to 25% of underwater diversity.
If you want to learn more about all this, I found a great study done by the World Health Organization that’s packed with interesting info. Here’s a poignant quote: “A suntan may be cosmetically desirable, but in fact it is nothing but a sign that your skin has been damaged and has attempted to protect itself.”
Next up — Which sunscreens to buy, my better-than-sunscreen beauty trick, and something it’s crucial to understand:
Os protetores solares mais seguros
Não tenho certeza se há alguém na Terra que goste de aplicar ou usar protetor solar. Porém, em vez de evitar o sol, encontrei um grandeAlternativa de proteção solar. Estudos têm mostrado aquele Óleo de semente de framboesa vermelha tem um Fator fPS de cerca De 30 e é o único óleo que protege contra UVB e Raios UVA. Então, encho a palma da mão com ele todas as manhãs e esfrego em todo o rosto, pescoço, mãos e qualquer outra área que possa estar exposta. É rapidamente absorvido, não fica oleoso e deixa um leve brilho saudável. Rapidamente se tornou meu óleo favorito. Este óleo incrível é repleto de antioxidantes e ácidos graxos essenciais para manter sua pele saudável, ao mesmo tempo que ajuda a desaparecer cicatrizes, manchas solares e acne. Não saio de casa sem ele! Apenas certifique-se de comprar o produto real, pois alguns revendedores sorrateiros podem diluí-lo com um óleo mais barato. Além disso, como acontece com qualquer óleo, certifique-se de manter o recipiente bem fechado em local escuro, pois os óleos oxidam (perdem algumas de suas propriedades medicinais) quando expostos ao oxigênio ou à luz muitas vezes.

Quando estou viajando ou passando muito tempo sob a luz solar direta, primeiro aplico meu óleo e, em seguida, coloco uma camada de protetor solar de óxido de zinco. Meus protetores solares seguros favoritos à base de óxido de zinco sãoProtetor solar com aroma de lavanda FPS30 da Badger, deles protetor solar anti-insetos, e seus protetor solar facial rosa(Eu adoro qualquer coisa com cheiro de rosa!), que são orgânicos e têm Ingredientes 100% saudáveis e praticamente comestíveis. É absorvido sem muito esforço e cheira muito bem. Além disso, a lavanda não só tem um aroma agradável, como também foi encontrada em estudos para inibir a geração do tipo de radical livre que causa grande parte dos danos causados pela radiação UVA/UVB. Também ajuda a proteger contra alterações cancerígenas – num estudo, a aplicação de óleo de lavanda reduziu a incidência de tumores de pele em 33 por cento. (acrescento algumas gotas de óleo essencial de lavanda ao meu óleo de semente de framboesa vermelha também!)
Outra ótima opção éLoção protetor solar de óxido de zinco de Babo, protetor solar portátil, protetor labial colorido (que também uso como blush!), e protetores solares em spray. Verificamos todos os ingredientes um por um e são todos super seguros. Ao procurar protetor solar, leia o rótulo com atenção. Você deve reconhecer a maioria (ou, melhor ainda, todos) dos ingredientes do seu protetor solar.
Tal como acontece com todos os cuidados com a pele, se você não consegue ler ou comer, não deve usá-lo. Período.
Aqui estão mais algumas dicas:
Importante entender
E aqui está a parte que demorei para entender completamente: existem dois tipos de raios solares – UVA e UVB. O UVB causa queimaduras solares e câncer, enquanto o UVA penetra mais profundamente na pele, causando envelhecimento. Nuvens e roupas podem bloquear os raios UVB que causam queimaduras solares, mas não bloqueiam os UVA – o tipo de penetração profunda que causa envelhecimento (e câncer). Os raios UVA também criam luz ambiente - então, quando você está sentado em sua mesa perto de uma janela, ainda está exposto aos raios do envelhecimento. É por isso que é importante usar protetor solar sob as roupas e também dentro de casa. Uma dor, eu sei! Eu também odeio usar essas coisas, mas é melhor do que parecer velho rapidamente ou ter câncer – certo!?

O que você está arriscando
A primeira linha de defesa do corpo contra os elementos nocivos do meio ambiente é a pele. Muitas vezes minimizamos o valor dos cuidados com a pele como sendo puramente estéticos, mas mosto entender que o fracasso em cuidar bem da nossa pele não só nos fazer parecer velhos, it can also make us sick. In fact, 1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer at some point in their life and 1 in 55 will be melanoma — the deadliest cancer. Not to mention, studies show that sun rays weaken the immune system and leave us vulnerable for a whole host of health issues.
Segundo estudo da Academia Americana de Dermatologia, o melanoma é o câncer mais comum na faixa etária de 25 a 29 anos. Na verdade, o melanoma aumenta mais rapidamente em mulheres de 15 a 29 anos do que em homens. O estudo também mostrou que 40%, especialmente aqueles com menos de 30 anos, se bronzeiam principalmente com o uso de camas de bronzeamento e exposição frequente ao sol.
“Em última análise, tentar mudar a cor da pele é contraproducente porque a exposição à radiação ultravioleta – seja através de camas de bronzeamento ou da procura de sol – pode causar rugas, envelhecimento prematuro da pele e até mesmo um diagnóstico de câncer de pele”, diz o conselho. dermatologista certificada Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD.
A seguir - Um dos Principais dermatologistas de nova york explica tudo para nós:
An Expert Shares Her Tips
Urbanette held a brief interview with Dr Marina Peredo, founder of the Marina Peredo, MD, PC Dermatology and Spatique Medical Spa in Smithtown, New York. Marina, who has an incredibly impressive resume, told us about skin cancer, common skincare problems, and how to protect ourselves.

Urbanette Magazine (Hilary): What are the most common skin problems that often lead to skin cancer? What are the easiest and most basic ways to prevent these problems?

Dr. Marina Peredo: Actinic Keratosis is a rough dry scaly patch or growth that forms on the skin. These usually form when the skin is badly damaged from ultraviolet rays (UV rays). AK’s may turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, or they can run the risk of getting other types of skin cancer. This condition can be prevented by wearing a zinc oxide sunscreen daily and being seen by a board-certified dermatologist on a regular basis.
Urbanette: What increases our risk for this?
Marina: Patients who have multiple moles, (dysplastic nevus syndrome), patients with type-one skin type (never tans, always burns), patients who use tanning salons and patients who had several blistering sunburns before age 18 are all at much higher risk for skin cancer.
“Ways to prevent aging and skin cancer include use zinc oxide sunblock, avoid tanning beds and have your skin checked by a dermatologist.”
Urbanette: Yikes! That sounds like me! The sun turns my skin from white to red (usually with blisters) then back to white. How do you know you already have early stages of skin cancer; how do you detect it?
Marina: Recognition of changes in the skin is the best way to detect early melanoma. Follow the ABCDE rule (Asymmetry of a mole, Border irregularity of a mole, Color is not uniform, Diameter or change in size, Evolving of a mole that looks different from the rest). If patient sees any of the above, have it checked right away.
Urbanette: How often do I have to apply sunblock? What SPF should I use?
Marina: Make sure to use the right amount of sunblock — a shot glass full for each application. Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors every day. When outdoors, reapply every 30 minutes. I recommend SPF 15 or 30. Always reapply after swimming or sweating. The sun emits harmful UV rays year round, plus you have to look out for secondary sun exposure, so sunscreen needs to be applied even when it snows or when it’s cloudy. Wearing protective clothing (like Coolibar) helps and always avoid the sun between the hours of 11am to 3pm.
Urbanette: What is secondary sun exposure, and can it really hurt me?
Marina: Secondary sun exposure is the UV rays your skin is exposed to when sitting near a window on the sunny day, in a car, from a reflection on water, and even on a cloudy day. And yes, while you may not get burned, it’s still rays hitting your skin, so you still need to wear sunscreen even when you’re not directly exposed.
Urbanette: How do you teach your patients about sun protection and what advice do you give them?
Marina: Pictures tell a thousand words and are a useful tool when trying to show my patients what can happen if they do not take precautions when out in the sun. I always encourage all of my patients, teens included, to wear a zinc oxide sunscreen every day, wear sun protective clothing, avoid tanning beds, and get a spray tan or use self-tanner if you really want color.
Really, the best and simplest advice I could give you is simply to avoid the sun between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.



Would like to add something that is tangential to the many good points made- and that is that this hoopla about sunscreen is related to a more general disconnect and yes, even irrational fear, of Nature! Such a disconnect results in people who cannot “tune in” and get out of the sun and into the shade when they have had enough, or stop eating when they have had enough, or sense the relationship between toxic cleaning/home/body care chemicals and their own malaise. They think (or possibly are no longer thinking at all) that isles full of lawn and insect chemicals in the Spring is “normal”. The medical industry has taught culture to fear and disconnect from their very own bodies, to the point wherein nothing useful is taught in the schools or homes of our culture any longer. Without this understanding through immersion and wisdom in living with nature and natural processes, health and healing are seen as complex mysteries by many.
Excellent point! It’s a point I like to harp on–there are limits naturally present in our environment and those limits are a form of guidance for our behavior–yet we continue to ignore and override them. Health and wellbeing (for ourselves and the environment) is a natural result of respecting nature’s limits. Any time we override those limits it’s at our own peril (and unfortunately often at the peril of other lifeforms as well).
This is useful information, indeed! It seems I have to find a new sunscreen – a healthier one!
I had no idea sunscreen could be so harmful. Such an informative article. Now I don’t want to go the beach this weekend. Gah!
Are these also great for males? I read somewhere men are prone to suffer skin cancer more than females. What’s up with that?
Using sunscreen is so so so important!
This makes me want to go in front of the mirror and check myself for any irregularities. Thank you for reminding me.
You are absolutely correct, Sandra. How often do you check yourself? I try to see a dermatologist once a month, every 2 weeks if it’s summer since I’m by the beach or pool a lot.
ZINC OXIDE. Will remember!!! 😀
You should start putting on a lot of sunscreen even at a young age. I make sure my kids are protected and me too.
This is why even though I absolutely love tanning, I need to be extra careful. WILL DEFINITELY try the sunblocks mentioned here.
I love tanning too! Where do you usually go tanning? I love going to the beach but when I’m lazy I just go to the balcony!
As a redhead with quite pale skin, I had a few painful sunburns as a kid that made me really responsible about putting on sunscreen. Now I use it all the time; it's easy and has so many benefits!
This skin talk is helpful! 🙂