Many call Dr Mercola a quack, but he’s been saying this a long time.
Also you need to check out what chemicals are in your sunscreen. I use zinc.
Some studies have even found a link between melanoma and the use of commercial sunscreen! Additionally, potentially harmful chemicals such as dioxybenzone and oxybenzone are some of the most powerful free radical generators known to man. And yet other studies have linked specific chemical UV filters with the transsexualization of male fish and coral reef degradation.
In light of that, I believe it’s imperative to do your homework, and to ONLY use a natural sunscreen with safe, non-toxic ingredients, so as to not add to your toxic load, and perhaps still not be protected from damaging UVA.
As you can see from this list, compiled from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website, there are lots of potential dangers lurking in your sunscreens:
Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate) The most widely used sunscreen ingredient, known for its low potential to sensitize skin or act as a phototallergen. Estrogenic effects are noted in laboratory animals as well as disruption of thyroid hormone and brain signaling. Has been found to kill mouse cells even at low doses when exposed to sunlight!
Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) Associated with photoallergic reactions. This chemical absorbs through your skin in significant amounts. It contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans according to Centers for Disease Control research. Health concerns include hormone disruption and cancer.
Octisalate Octisalate is a weak UVB absorber with a generally good safety profile among sunscreen ingredients. It is a penetration enhancer, which may increase the amount of other ingredients passing through skin.
Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) Primarily a UVA-absorbing agent, sunlight causes this unstable ingredient to break down into unknown chemicals, especially in the presence of another active, Octinoxate.
Octocrylene Produces oxygen radicals when exposed to UV light.
Homosalate Research indicates it is a weak hormone disruptor, forms toxic metabolites, and can enhance the penetration of a toxic herbicide.
Micronized Titanium Dioxide Sunscreens with micronized titanium dioxide may contain nanoparticles. Micronized TiO2 offers greater sun protection than conventional (larger) particles. These small particles do not penetrate skin but may be more toxic to living cells and the environment. Inhalation of powders and sprays is a concern.
Micronized Zinc Oxide Same as Micronized Titanium Dioxide, above.
Titanium Dioxide Appears safe for use on skin, due to low penetration but inhalation is a concern.
Ensulizole (Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid) Known to produce free radicals when exposed to sunlight, leading to damage of DNA, this UVB protector may have the potential to cause cancer.
Nano Zinc Oxide Nano zinc oxide offers greater sun protection than larger zinc particles. Comparatively little is known regarding potential health effects of nanoparticles. They do not penetrate healthy skin, and thus appear to pose a low health risk in lotions. Inhalation of powders and sprays is a concern.
Nano Titanium Dioxide Same as Nano Zinc Oxide, above.
Zinc Oxide Zinc has a long history of use in sunscreen and other skin care products; little absorption and no adverse health effects are reported.
Padimate O (Octyl Dimethyl PABA / PABA Ester) A derivative of the once-popular PABA sunscreen ingredient, research shows this chemical releases free radicals, damages DNA, has estrogenic activity, and causes allergic reactions in some people.
Menthyl Anthranilate 1 study found that it produces damaging reactive oxygen species when exposed to sunlight.
Mexoryl SX 2 hours of sunlight can degrade as much as 40% of this active ingredient. Low skin penetration.
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol Not an approved active ingredient in the U.S. Few studies exist on this chemical. It is photostable and does not absorb through your skin.
Sulisobenzone (Benzophenone-4) Can cause skin and eye irritation. Does not penetrate your skin to a large degree, but enhances the ability of other chemicals to penetrate.
Benzophenone-2 Not approved for use in United States sunscreens. Concerns about hormone disruption.
http://search.mercola.com/Results.aspx?q=sunscreen&k=sunscreen
This is for a variety of reasons. One reason is that unless you completely submerge yourself in a tank of sunscreen, you can't properly cover all areas of your body subject to sun exposure. You then go out for a day on the beach with friends.
The areas of your body unprotected and being scorched versus those protected don't send enough pain signals to your brain telling you to get out of the sun to override your pleasure at spending a day on the beach. Too bad for you, only a single cell need to mutate. As careful as you thought you may have been, trillions of cells were left unprotected against the ravages of the sun for far longer than they ever would have been had you not worn suncreen and heeded your bodies pain signals to get out of the sun.
Furthermore, you probably haven't been as careful about periodically reapplying the sunscreen either.
The other reason suncreen is suspected of not protecting against melanoma is that the exact portion of the solar spectrum that causes melanoma is unknown. UV AB blocking suncreens may not be blocking that portion of the spectrum causing the cellular mutations leading to melanoma. Once agan, even if you completely submerge yourself in a sunscreen tank and periodically jump in to reapply the coating, the sunscreen is giving you a false sense of security causing you to continue exposing yourself way too long.
Cheers!