BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Beauty Basics Do you need organic sunscreen?

We've all been told over and over again that to avoid skin cancer, we have to use sunscreen. However, as the use of sunscreen has risen, so has the incidence of skin cancer. So why is that?

A recent study by the Center for Disease Control showed that 97% of Americans are contaminated with oxybenzone, a commonly-used sunscreen ingredient. This chemical has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, and to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers used it during pregnancy. Oxybenzone enhances the penetration of sunscreen chemicals into the skin and these chemicals are absorbed into the blood stream to cause serious health problems.

Worse yet, for those who use sunscreen in hopes of avoiding wrinkles and age spots due to the sun, studies find that sunlight also causes oxybenzone to form free radical chemicals that may be linked to cell damage - which in fact CAUSES premature aging of the skin!

To me an organic sun screen makes moe sense than having hazardous chemicals in my body. If you'd like more information on organic solutions, check out my my latest blog posting on organic sunscreens

Thanks for the great article on organic sunscreen. I put sunscreen on my kids too, thinking I'm helping them but maybe with the chemicals in those, it's not such a good idea!

I'll definitely investigate organic options.

Can't the sunscreen be modified without having to label it organic? We unknowingly ingest so many other toxins that it's a bit over-the-top to create organic sunscreen. It's not like the sunscreen will be entirely made of fruit/veggies. It has to have some type of chemical in it to guard against the sun's rays.

www.ethnic-beauty-central.com

Great post. I didn't know organic sunscreen was available. Someone told me when you add SPF, a product can only be "somewhat organic."

I love your blog. I also love Miessence products. I used to use them.

BrownBeauty, commercial sunscreens can't really be modified because they ARE chemicals. If you took the chemicals out, then you wouldn't have a product. Organic sunscreens not only use organic ingredients but they also DO NOT use the chemicals. So far as I know, organic sunscreens are the only ones that don't use the chemicals.

Miessence sunscreen uses zinc oxide and shea butter for the spf which are not chemicals.

rebekah05, thanks so much on the vote of confidence on my blog! I just started it last month but it's been fun. Miessence is a great product too. Their mission of toxin free products is in line with what I really believe in.

The more natural alternatives to sunscreen, like Weleda and Dr. Hauschka, are made from Titanium dioxide and plant-based waxes like beeswax. These can make your skin look a bit "white" but offers better sun protection and are also healthier alternatives to commonly available sunscreens.

www.naturalbeautystore.com