SUMMER IS UPON US! Finally, right?! I want to talk about sunscreen today.
For years, I have been ditching and pitching anything that has chemicals, fragrance, and preservatives. Everything from what I put IN to my body to what I put ON to my body.
It matters.
Let’s “dive into” what you want to steer clear of and why.
Highly potent when absorbed through the skin, parabens function as hormone-mimickers in our bodies, leading to endocrine and thyroid dysregulation and are also known to be cancer-causing. Parabens are preservatives that prevent the growth of mold and bacteria, and are commonly in personal care products, food, pharmaceuticals, and more.
Phthalates (dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, fragrance, MMP, MEP, MiBP, DMP, DEP, DiBP) are linked to endocrine system disruption, reproductive disorders, birth defects, hormonal changes, early onset puberty, & thyroid abnormalities. They are a suspected carcinogen and known to cause cellular damage. Beyond scouring labels, avoid buying products that are in plastic containers, as well as any product listing “fragrance” as an ingredient.
Sulfates (sodium lauryl, sodium laureth, etc.) are linked to cellular damage, reproductive disorders, kidney damage, respiratory problems, and skin, lung, and eye irritation.
Also labeled SLS or SLES, this additive is used to enable adequate mixing of solid and liquid ingredients in more than 90% of personal care products on the shelf. Its ability to combine with other chemicals is the problem - combinations are impossible to control and form many known carcinogens.
You know that foaming effect you love when you go to lather and wash something? That would be thanks to sulfates- which create the foaming effect that we all desire in shampoos, cleansers, and toothpastes. So, if your all-natural alternative doesn’t fizz and bubble - it’s still doing the job!
Triclosan (triclocarban) is linked to heart disease, heart failure, reproductive disorders, hormonal changes, thyroid abnormalities, endocrine system disruption as well as muscle function disruption and is a skin irritant.
Triclosan kill good and bad germs. They are chemicals that do not discriminate with what they exterminate and we need good bacteria ON and IN our bodies for us to be in a state of thriving.
EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic database is a great resource for checking on your products’ safety ratings and finding low-risk alternatives to what you are using.
Here is a link to check your sunscreen and also to find clean & safe alternatives. If your short on time, here are the links to lists of top rated sunscreens.
Top-rated Recreational Sunscreens
Top-rated Baby & Kid's Sunscreens
Top-rated DailyUse SPF
Sending you peace, love & wellness!
Your Wellness Coach at LHL, Chelsea