Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States(1). The three most common types of skin cancer are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. However, cancer research groups have been educating the masses about the importance of generously applying and reapplying sunscreen to protect their skin without mentioning the devastating effects that sunscreen can have our health(2).
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It’s meant to protect the rest of the body from external threat. But the skin isn’t some kind of bullet-proof vest: it’s constantly absorbing and releasing things from and to the outside. This includes things like sunscreen. In fact, sunscreen is detected within the bloodstream five minutes after it’s been applied. Hours later, it can be detected in the liver, kidneys, spleen, testicles and brain.
The problem is that sunscreen is very toxic. It directly interferes with hormones levels because chemicals found in sunscreen act as synthetic oestrogen(2). Too much oestrogen negatively impacts men by decreasing their sperm production and the quality of their sperm.
A surplus of oestrogen also negatively impacts women. When the balance between oestrogen and progesterone is lost, women can experience a decreased sex drive and the loss of their body’s ability to build strong bones and regulate blood sugar levels. Progesterone also helps protect women against fibrocystic breasts and breast and uterine cancer.
Sunscreen’s most active ingredient is called Titanium Dioxide. It can also be found in cosmetics, lotions and is even used in food to preserve color. Titanium Dioxide is said to protect against all UVB rays and some UVA. Unfortunately, this protection is loss when the sun actually comes into contact with it. Worse yet, Titanium Dioxide has been proven to cause cell death.
That’s why it’s very important to read the labels on anything you put onto your skin or into your mouth. While there are natural alternatives to sunscreen in the market, we recommend that you try to make your own organic non-toxic sunscreen by following the recipe bellow(3). You can also protect your skin by wearing protective clothing and limiting your exposure to the sun between 10am-4pm.
Herbal Sunscreen (40spf)
- 2 tbs organic coconut oil
- 1 tbs organic shea butter
- 1 tbs organic avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp organic sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp organic aloe vera gel
- 30 drops organic carrot seed oil
Instructions
- Melt the coconut oil and shea butter au bain marie by putting the oils in a bowl that is placed in a pan of hot water.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the oil into a clean jar and let the mixture cool down.
sources:
[1]https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/
[2]https://www.ccohs.ca/headlines/text186.html
[3]https://www.ion.ac.uk/information/onarchives/hormoneshavoc3
[4]https://www.phcog.com/article.asp?issn=0973-1296;year=2009;volume=5;issue=19;spage=238;epage=248;aulast=Kapoor