When in the sun, people think they have to apply sunscreen to keep from getting skin cancer. Getting sunburned is bad for your skin, yes, but have you ever thought of what you are putting on your skin?

Your skin is the biggest organ in your body. What you put on it, is absorbed into your blood stream. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health looked at the rate of absorption of chemicals found in drinking water. The conclusion was that the skin absorbed an average of 64% of total contaminant dosage. Other studies have shown that underarms and genitalia absorb 100%.

It is important to pay close attention to the ingredients in our skin care products. If the products you use contain harmful ingredients such as harsh, toxic chemicals, colors, and fragrances, those ingredients make their way into your body, your blood and lymphatic system.

Active Ingredients

New FDA testing of sunscreens shows that six common active ingredients are absorbed into the body and may linger for days or even weeks, in some cases. Typically sunscreens include a combination of two to six of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. A handful of products combine zinc oxide with chemical filters.

Testing showed that just a single application of sunscreen increases the blood levels of these active ingredients beyond the FDA’s threshold for determining if they need more study to be considered safe for use. When the FDA began to consider sunscreen safety, it grandfathered in active ingredients from the late 1970s without reviewing the evidence of their potential hazards.

A study that included 48 adults who wore sunblock everyday for 4 consecutive days, found that after 3 weeks some of the active ingredients were still in the blood stream! Blood concentrations of oxybenzone were more than 180 times the FDA’s level of concern after a single application and was more than 500 times the FDA’s level of concern after 4 days of regular use. Three weeks later, blood tests continued to show levels of oxybenzone. Oxybenzone may affect breast development, infant birth weight and sperm function.

Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate starting in 2021 due to them killing the coral reefs.

Non Toxic Sunscreens

Some of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun is to wear clothing, hats and sunglasses. This can protect up to 27% burn risk. If you want to be out in the sun, go in the early morning or in the late afternoon to stay away from the suns direct rays.

If you would like to apply a sunscreen, go check out the best non toxic sunscreens at ewg.com. For me and my family we are “currently” using Babyganics or Badger products. Although, I prefer to go “all natural”.

Vitamin D is produced due to sun exposer. People with low levels of vitamin D in their blood have significantly higher rates of almost every disease and disorder you can think of: cancer, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, heart attack, stroke, depression, cognitive impairment, autoimmune conditions, and others.

People who cut sugar and gluten from their diets are less likely to burn from the sun. (Remember it’s when your skin burns repeatedly that you are susceptible to skin cancers.) Sun bathing naked can increase testosterone and can help heighten sex drive. Just limit your naked time to about 30 minutes!

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care is whole body wellness. We don’t just adjust for pain, we look at what is causing the issue or pain. Skin care is important to body health due to absorption. The chiropractic adjustment helps boost the immune system and helps the body function more efficiently.

If you have any questions on how chiropractic can help you give us or a chiropractor near you a call. Be active in your own health. Do your research and protect yourself. Wellness care is way cheaper than “sick care”.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036