| Health

Should You Wear Sunblock?

By Tyler Woodward

Should You Wear Sunblock?

With humans spending more time than ever indoors it’s no surprise that Vitamin D deficiency is on the rise. Yet many skin experts recommend completely avoiding the sun and wearing sunscreen whenever you’re exposed to sunlight. So which is, face the sun or fear it?

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding Sunblock
  • Sunblock vs. Sunscreen
  • Should You Wear Sunblock?
  • Vitamin D

Understanding Sunblock:

 

 

rates of skin cancer

Sunscreen was invented by Franz Geiter in 1938 as a method of protecting his skin from sunburn after hiking through swiss alps. The sun primarily emits two types of radiation that pass through the Earth’s atmosphere, UVA & UVB radiation.

  • UVA - UVA light is the most prevalent form of radiation, but is also believed to be the least harmful. UVA radiation in excess can still damage the skin and the eyes. 
  • UVB - About 95% of UVB light is absorbed by the atmosphere. This is the main form of radiation that causes skin damage, but UVB radiation is also needs to be absorbed by the skin to produce Vitamin D, so it’s a double edged sword.

The original sunblock formula was made up of a red petroleum jelly which, when applied to the skin, helped to reduce the amount of radiation that passed through into the skin. This formula was cited to have an SPF (Sun-protection factor) of about 24. In the following years, a US soldier added cocoa butter and coconut oil to the petroleum jelly, which would eventually become the first commercially produced sunscreen, Coppertone. 

Sunblock vs. Sunscreen:

Sunblock Vs. Sunscreen

Sunblocks and sunscreens essentially work by creating a “layer” between your skin and the sun. Sunblocks also commonly referred to as mineral oils or physical sunscreen use inorganic compounds that are not absorbed into your skin, rather lay on top of it and reflect sunlight.

Sunscreens generally are formed using organic compounds and are soluble or absorbed into your skin. Sunscreens aim to “offload” some of the sun’s radiation by absorbing them into the lotion instead of into your skin. As the sunscreen works by absorbing radiation, the compounds naturally break down and release heat. 

Most sunblocks and sunscreens only block UVB light which is why they have been repeatedly shown to decrease vitamin D production. Which makes sense as the same form of radiation that causes sunburn is needed to produce vitamin D, so by blocking one you’re inherently blocking the other. 

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D, also known as the sun vitamin, is an essential hormone that our body is naturally capable of producing by absorbing sunlight, specifically UVB rays. Yes, vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone and regulates the function of over 200 genes and is essential for growth and development8. Vitamin D also exhibits a protective effect on our skin, protecting our skin from skin cancer9.  

Vitamin D deficiency affects over a billion people worldwide and is considered by some experts to be an epidemic. Vitamin D deficiency can result in countless health issues like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer’s, and osteoporosis. 

In order to produce vitamin D, our skin needs to absorb enough UVB radiation from the sun through our skin to facilitate its production. We can consume small quantities of vitamin D through our diet, but our skin normally produces about 90% of our vitamin D requirements. The darker your skin tone, the more sunlight you will have to absorb to produce  enough vitamin D .

This is one of the explanations of evolution as to why our skin tones became lighter as we moved away from the equator. People living near the equator experience much more intense sun exposure and require darker skin to protect themselves from the sun’s radiation. As our species migrated away from the equator and our sun exposure/intensity lessened, lighter skin tones became more advantageous, as they allowed us to produce enough vitamin D with less sun exposure.  

We now understand that sunlight and UVB radiation is necessary for the production of vitamin D in our body. We also know that excess sunlight/radiation can cause mutations in our genes, which can result in skin damage and potentially cancer over time. Lastly, we know that sunblock and sunscreen aim to limit the amount of radiation we absorb from the sun which can prevent us from producing enough vitamin D. 

So which one is it?

Wear Sunscreen or don’t?

Embrace the sun or avoid it? 

Let’s shine some light on this debate

Read More: The Importance Of Micronutrients

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, also known as the sun vitamin, is an essential hormone that our body is naturally capable of producing by absorbing sunlight, specifically UVB rays. Yes, vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone and regulates the function of over 200 genes and is essential for growth and development. Vitamin D also exhibits a protective effect on our skin, protecting our skin from skin cancer.  

Vitamin D deficiency affects over a billion people worldwide and is considered by some experts to be an epidemic. Vitamin D deficiency can result in countless health issues like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer’s, and osteoporosis. 

In order to produce vitamin D, our skin needs to absorb enough UVB radiation from the sun through our skin to facilitate its production. We can consume small quantities of vitamin D through our diet, but our skin normally produces about 90% of our vitamin D requirements. The darker your skin tone, the more sunlight you will have to absorb to produce  enough vitamin D .

This is one of the explanations of evolution as to why our skin tones became lighter as we moved away from the equator. People living near the equator experience much more intense sun exposure and require darker skin to protect themselves from the sun’s radiation. As our species migrated away from the equator and our sun exposure/intensity lessened, lighter skin tones became more advantageous, as they allowed us to produce enough vitamin D with less sun exposure. 

We now understand that sunlight and UVB radiation is necessary for the production of vitamin D in our body. We also know that excess sunlight/radiation can cause mutations in our genes, which can result in skin damage and potentially cancer over time. Lastly, we know that sunblock and sunscreen aim to limit the amount of radiation we absorb from the sun which can prevent us from producing enough vitamin D.

Vitamin D3

As you now know how important Vitamin D is for the body, if you want to ensure that you are getting enough make sure to check out our vitamin D supplement. Our liquid D3 supplement is encased in liquid MCT coconut oil in order to ensure that it is highly absorbed by the body. We also include more than enough servings in each bottle to last you well beyond the winter months.

We now understand that sunlight and UVB radiation is necessary for the production of Vitamin D in our body. We also know that excess sunlight/radiation can cause mutations in our genes, which can result in the formation of cancer. Lastly, we know that sunblock and sunscreen aim to limit the amount of radiation we absorb from the sun. 

The Question Remains - Should You Wear Sunblock?:

Should You Wear Sunblock

Sadly, the answer is not in black and white and the answer really depends on the individual. Let me explain…
We need to receive adequate sunlight in order to remain in good health and this means absorbing enough radiation. The key to this equation is to not absorb excess radiation. Too much sunlight causes skin reddening and eventually burning, resulting in our skin cells literally dying. On the other hand, gradually getting a nice tan is the perfect recipe for reaping the benefits of sunlight without the deleterious effects. 
Tanning is our body’s natural defense to the sun. Over time as you’re exposed to increased amounts of sunlight your body naturally produces more melanin (the tanning pigment), decreasing the amount of radiation that passes through your skin.
The darker your skin the more sunlight it takes to burn and to produce additional Vitamin D. It’s a natural self-regulating process, preventing both sunburn and producing too much vitamin D. 
As long as your skin is not burning, sunblock is likely not necessary and not using it may be beneficial as it allows you to absorb to produce vitamin D. 
So, the answer comes down to wearing sunblock when you need to in order to avoid absorbing excess radiation.

    Read More: The Ultimate Guide To Immune: Immune Support

    So, the answer comes down to wearing sunblock when you need to in order to avoid absorbing excess radiation.  

    Cancer-Causing Agents in Sunblocks:

    sunscreen

    As I mentioned before, anything that you put on your skin has the potential to cause damage to the nearby cells. Many sunscreens and sunblocks today, as well as many cosmetics, contain carcinogens or cancer-causing agents that result in mutations in the DNA of skin cells. I highly recommend checking out Christopher Walker’s video on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBu-qQl8jIg&t=181s

    Here is a list of US government classified carcinogens and endocrine disruptors that are used in many of the sunscreens and sunblocks that we use in order to protect ourselves from the sun:

    • Benzophenone
    • 4-mbc
    • Avobenzone
    • Homosalate
    • Octocrylene
    • Octinoxate

    I have included a list of studies at the bottom of this article from Christopher Walker’s video that demonstrate the carcinogenic effects of these substances.

    Healthy Sunblocks:

    coconut oil

    If you are looking for a sunblock that does its intended effect without compromising our health, I recommend looking for zinc-oxide based sunblock or mineral oil. Coconut oil or cocoa butter can also be a great addition or used by itself as a low intensity sunblock. Here are a few all-natural sunscreen that I highly recommend: 

    1. Pronounce Skincare SkinShade
    2. SunBum
    3. Pronounce Skincare

    *We are not associated with any of these sunscreen brands*

    Conclusion:

    My goal in writing this article, as always, is to provide you with logically-based principles that you can use to form your own conclusions regarding any information you may come across within this subject. Remember, I am not a doctor or medical professional. I just look at the science and put it into layman’s term, so anyone can understand it and are able to make more educated decisions on these topics as a result. I really hope you found this article interesting and if you have anything to add to this article, or any comments or criticism, feel free to reach out to me on our facebook groups (The Thermo Diet Community Group, The UMZU Community Group) or on Instagram @tylerwoodward_fit. Also, please feel free to share this article with anyone that might be interested.

    Thanks for reading!

    Until next time… be good

    ~Tyler Woodward

    References:

      1. https://journals.lww.com/jdnaonline/fulltext/2020/05000/skin_cancer_rates_rising.2.aspx
      2. https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/why-is-skin-cancer-rising
      3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1044579X20301140?via%3Dihub
      4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470481/
      5. http://solar-center.stanford.edu/about/uvlight.html#:~:text=About%2095%25%20of%20all%20UV,completely%20absorbed%20by%20Earth's%20atmosphere.
      6. https://www.weldricks.co.uk/news/the-history-of-sunscreen
      7. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/uviguide.pdf
      8. https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/dermatology/skin-1-the-structure-and-functions-of-the-skin-25-11-2019/
      9. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/what-is-basal-and-squamous-cell.html
      10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068797/
      11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3687803/
      12. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/surprising-facts-about-indoor-tanning
      13. https://www.the-dermatologist.com/article/7850
      14. https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/62/2/433
      15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3761560/
      16. https://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/27/7/776?utm_source=ETOC+Master&utm_campaign=daeed37e9a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_06_28_08_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_aae0ec8d4d-daeed37e9a-160765125

    Benzophenone - sunscreen

    https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/c... 

    http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monogra... 

    http://journals.plos.org/plosone/arti... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... 

    https://academic.oup.com/endo/article... 

    4 MBC - sunscreen

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... 

    Avobenzone - sunscreen

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... 

    Homosalate - sunscreen

    http://www.iarc.fr/en/publications/pd... 

    OctoCrylene - sunscreen

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1... 

    http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~christob/... 

    https://www.thedermreview.com/octocry... 

    Octinoxate - chemical sunscreen

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1... 

     

    Endocrine Disruptors

    Benzophenone - 

    https://link.springer.com/article/10.... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... 

    http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archi...

    https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/11... 

     

    4 MBC -

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... (This study also included other chemicals stating that there are negative effects induced by these chemicals in animals which include reproductive/developmental toxicity and disruption of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.)

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science...

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... 

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... 

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science...

     

    Homosalate

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...

    https://academic.oup.com/toxsci/artic... 

     

    OctoCrylene

    http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content...