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Sunscreen Controversy
Sorting through the confusion
We know the importance of protecting the skin from cancer and premature aging. But with so much controversy around sunscreen ingredients, we also know how confusing it can be. At Isis, we feel it is our job to sift through the research and come up with the best possible recommendations for you! Sunscreen Basics:
There are 2 basic categories of sunscreen ingredients: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens (or "sunblocks") include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and iron oxide. They simply reflect the sun's rays, thereby protecting your skin. There are many chemical sunscreen ingredients, such as octinoxate, oxybenzone, PABA and avobenzone. They absorb the sun's rays, also protecting your skin from UV rays. Chemical sunscreens are much more likely to cause irritation, rashes and allergic reactions than physical sunscreen. There are also growing concerns that chemical sunscreens may pose greater health risks, particularly once heated by the sun's rays. There is concern that once heated, the chemical composition of the ingredients in sunscreen may be altered and produce free radicals, which can ultimately cause damage to the skin. Several chemical sunscreen ingredients are banned in Europe due to health concerns. There has also been growing awareness of the chemicals in sunscreen damaging coral reefs. One chemical sunscreen ingredient, oxybenzone, has been linked to low birth weight babies whose mothers used it during pregnancy. We still do not have enough evidence on each of the chemical sunscreen ingredients to come to any definitive conclusions about their safety, but at this time, we are comfortable making the following statements:
- Zinc oxide provides UVA and UVB protection over a broader wavelength spectrum than any other ingredient, including any of the chemicals, making it the single best sunscreen ingredient available.
- Mineral (physical) sunscreens cause less irritation than chemical sunscreens.
- Safety and tolerability of physical blocks is better-established than that of chemical blocks.
- The combination of Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide provide excellent broad-spectrum coverage and is our top choice for maximum protection when outdoors for extended periods.
- All sunscreens must be reapplied about every 2 hours when outdoors, even ones that claim to be waterproof.
- SPF 15 blocks out about 93% of incoming UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks out about 97%. This can be a great difference, especially in those who are sensitive to the sun and at greater risk for skin cancer (fairer-skinned individuals, positive family history, etc.). Above SPF 30, there are minimal increases in protection. SPF 15 should be sufficient for incidental exposure (days when you are mostly indoors), but for days when you will be outdoors for one hour or more, we recommend SPF 30 or higher.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
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