Is Your Sunscreen Safe? Toxic SPF & The Many Benefits of The Sun

In a world where nearly every dermatologist, eye doctor, and health magazine unanimously advocate for daily sunscreen use all year round, it's time to take a step back and reevaluate our relationship with the sun. The advice to slather on SPF everyday might be well intentioned, but this perspective misses the mark significantly and is causing way more harm than good.

The sun isn’t an enemy that should be blocked out at all costs. And the true concern isn’t the sun’s rays themselves. In fact, the toxic chemicals in many sunscreens pose a far greater risk to our health. Have you noticed how many sunscreen recalls there have been since 2021 because so many products contain dangerous amounts of benzene, a known carcinogen? And that doesn’t even begin to touch on how bad these chemical sunscreens are for the coral reefs in our oceans.

Our obsession with wearing sunscreen regardless of weather conditions or whether we're spending the day indoors or outdoors, overlooks the crucial benefits sunlight provides. From its role in vitamin D synthesis, regulation of our circadian rhythms, to mood enhancement, the sun is integral to our well-being. By completely shielding ourselves from the sun, we are inadvertently denying ourselves these essential health benefits.

Why I Personally Try to Avoid Wearing Sunscreen as Much as Possible

A personal note from Angela Sinnett, owner of Magnolia Wellness—

I'm generally a no sunscreen kind of girl, and I avoided it even before I realized that doing so was a good thing!  You see, I was trying to follow the advice to wear sunscreen on my face everyday, but everytime I would put it on, I would break out in a rash. Healthy mineral sunscreens, zinc oxides, titanium dioxides—it didn’t matter. I was allergic to all of them. 

This experience really opened my eyes to the fact that the sunscreen was never good for me in the first place. I did so much research on the different ingredients I could use to block the sun’s rays, and ended up realizing that it would be much more beneficial to focus on developing a healthy relationship with the sun.

For me that means being in tune with nature, learning how to form an “internal sunscreen” by eating certain foods, and knowing how to tap into all of the health benefits the sun has to offer. Overall, my stance is to avoid all sunscreen as much as possible because even the more natural mineral based ones block the benefits of the sun. Instead I opt for an umbrella on the beach, a nice big hat, and a beach coverup to keep me protected when the sun is strong and I’ll be getting more exposure than I’m used to.

But this approach didn’t come without a lot of trial and error (and quite a few sun burns) . . . which is why I want to share some of what I learned with you so you can make the transition away from harmful sunscreen smartly.

Unlock The Many Benefits of The Sun 

Regular, direct sunlight is a cornerstone of optimal health, offering benefits that touch nearly every aspect of your physical and mental well-being. The benefits of regular, direct sunlight exposure extend far beyond the commonly known vitamin D synthesis. By rekindling your relationship with the sun and incorporating mindful exposure into your daily routine, you can unlock a natural, powerful tool for enhancing your health across the board. 

Embracing the sun can transform your health in ways you might not have imagined, including but not limited to:

Vitamin D Synthesis: You've likely heard about vitamin D's role in bone health, but its importance spans even further. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Sunlight is the most efficient way for your body to produce vitamin D, with just a few minutes of direct exposure required for most people.

Circadian Rhythm Regulation: Your body's internal clock thrives on natural light cues. Morning sunlight exposure helps regulate sleep patterns, promoting restorative sleep which is crucial for overall health. This regulation supports not just better sleep but improved mood and cognitive function as well.

Hormonal Balance and Mental Health: Sunlight influences the release of various hormones, including serotonin, which plays a key role in mood regulation. Regular exposure to sunlight can help fend off depression and boost your overall sense of well-being.

Immunity Boost Against Colds and Flu: Vitamin D, synthesized through sunlight exposure, is pivotal in regulating your immune system. It enhances your body's defense mechanisms, potentially reducing the risk of colds, flu, and other infections.

Protection Against Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health: Sunlight exposure has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and improved cardiovascular health by aiding in blood pressure regulation and supporting heart health. This protective effect underscores the holistic impact sunlight has on your body.

Alzheimer’s Prevention: Emerging research suggests that regular, adequate sunlight exposure may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by helping to regulate your sleep-wake cycle, among other benefits.

Support for Thyroid Function, Headaches, and Hypertension: Sunlight influences thyroid function, which regulates energy, metabolism, and temperature in your body. Moreover, it can help alleviate certain types of headaches and is beneficial in managing hypertension, showcasing its wide-ranging influence on your health.

This list barely begins to scratch the surface. Consistent, safe sunlight exposure can help boost serotonin, lower blood pressure, increase testosterone, improve progesterone, reduce stress, and promote your overall longevity.

But What About Skin Cancer? 

To address the skin cancer epidemic effectively, a more nuanced approach is needed. Blaming the sun for skin cancer is an oversimplification of a complex issue.

A study from Sweden followed 30,000 women for over 20 years to see how sunbathing habits affected their health. They looked at everyone from those who avoided the sun completely to those who love soaking up rays all year round.

Here's the surprise: the women who got the most sun turned out to be the healthiest! They had fewer diseases, less heart trouble, and lived longer than those who stayed out of the sun. On the other hand, the women who avoided the sun had health problems similar to smokers—more sickness and a higher chance of dying earlier. This was a big shock because it suggests avoiding the sun might be as bad for you as smoking!

What about skin cancer? The study found that all the women, no matter how much sun they got, had about the same risk of getting skin cancer. But, the sun-loving group was less likely to die from it. The reason might be Vitamin D, which we get from the sun and can help fight off serious diseases like cancer.

And contrary to what we've been told, cancer rates actually soar the further we travel from the equator.

How To Avoid Wearing SPF . . . While Also Avoiding Getting Sunburned 

If you aren’t yet convinced that it’s better to get healthy sun exposure without the use of chemical sunscreens . . .

In a 2020 randomized clinical trial, the FDA discovered that the six most common sunscreen ingredients not only got into participants’ bloodstreams at levels much higher than what’s considered safe, but those chemicals also stayed in their bodies for at least three weeks after just one use!

It’s important to note, though, that you don’t just want to simply ditch the chemical sunscreen. Unlimited, unprotected sunbathing will leave your skin burnt to a crisp. To truly rediscover the sun’s potential as a source of health and vitality, you want to take an informed approach to soaking up more sun.

A balanced approach to sun exposure involves allowing the skin to acclimate and develop its natural defenses through the support of beneficial dietary sources and appropriate timing of sunlight exposure.

Eating certain foods can help develop an “internal sunscreen” and contribute to the skin's ability to protect itself from sun damage. Foods like cucumbers, tomatoes, fatty fish, watermelon, and green tea can actually help prevent a sunburn and protect against UV-induced skin damage. However, eating citrus fruits, vegetable oils, and alcohol can lead to an increased risk of sunburn. 

Think about what most people do when they’re sunbathing—drink alcohol and eat snacks—which is the worst thing you can do in the sun. Some dermatologists even describe the sunburn caused by citrus and alcohol as “margarita dermatitis.” Even if you’re not boozing it up on the beach or by the pool, your typical potato chips are loaded with junky vegetable oils that interact with sunlight on the skin and cause you to burn easier.

Equally as important as having “internal sunscreen” is developing a "solar callous" through gradual, controlled sun exposure during specific hours of the day. This allows your body to adapt and build its own resilience from burning. The best way to do this is to go out in the morning with no sunglasses, contact lenses, or prescription glasses and spend a quick two-to-ten minutes outside.

And whenever you plan on spending a whole day in the sun, it’s still smart to use a natural sunscreen with clean ingredients like this one here.

Embracing the Sun Wisely

The choices we make in our daily lives have a significant impact on how our skin reacts to the sun. If you want to begin tapping into all the benefits the sun has to offer, here’s what you’ll want to do . . .

Add Time Outside to Your Morning Routine: Start your day with exposure to morning sunlight (but don’t wear any sunglasses). This practice helps regulate your body's internal clock, improving sleep, mood, and overall energy levels.

Build Your Solar Callous: Gradually increase your sun exposure to build up your skin's tolerance. This doesn't mean aiming to tan—it's about allowing your skin to adapt naturally over time.

Develop Your Own “Internal Sunscreen”: Incorporate foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which can bolster your skin's resilience against UV damage. Avoid vegetable oils whenever possible. Tomatoes, watermelon, and green tea are especially helpful for preventing sunburn. Taking a high quality multivitamin with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and other nutrients like Selenium can help your skin protect itself against sunburn and damage. The Ultimate Multivitamin by Magnolia Wellness can be found here.

Cover Up and Seek Shade: Learn to listen to your body. Seeking shade or covering up isn't about avoiding the sun entirely. It's about knowing when you've had enough and how to protect yourself during peak UV hours.

Use Safe Mineral Sunscreen When Necessary: When exposure to intense or prolonged sunlight is unavoidable, protect your skin with a safe, mineral-based sunscreen like Sun Love Everyday Sheer Sunscreen. Its non-nano zinc oxide formula provides effective protection without harmful chemicals, making it a healthy choice for your skin. 

While the sun is super healthy for you, more isn’t always better. Your location's latitude, the season, and time of day can affect how you’ll soak up those rays. So remember to check in with your skin often and tailor your sun exposure plan to the day’s conditions.