Sunblock Review ~ Suntegrity

The Dangers of Conventional Sunscreens

It seems the news is always changing about the sun. We are now finding out that most Americans are vitamin D deficient and this is due to the anti-sun craze. Some sun actually boosts the immune system and helps the body fight infections and disease. I feel everything in moderation is the best path, however once in a while I do wear sunscreen especially at my beloved oceanside. Finding the right non-toxic sunblock can be quite a challenge though these days. I have been using the Australian brand by Grahams for a few years now, and still find it very good. Now there is a new kid on the sun-block, Suntegrity Skincare with a line of tinted and moisturizing sunblocks that are not chemically based. The creator Tricia, sadly lost her mother to skin cancer, and so she went on a quest to find a strong sunblock. Through her research she discovered how many of the standard sunblocks contained toxic ingredients like nano-sized zinc oxide,  so she decided to create her own line. I have been using the primer and moisturizing sunblock, which is great under a bit of makeup. They also have various tinted sunblock/moisturizers to combat the faint ‘white’ look you can get from zinc products. I recommend getting the SAMPLE TUBE – Suntegrity 5 in 1 Tinted to try out the various shades to match your skin tone.

I found it reassuring that a group I work closely with EWG gave Suntegrity it’s seal of approval for non-toxic use. Below is EWG’s assessment of why it’s a good thing to take a look at what is in your sunblocks.

For more non-toxic beauty products see The Local Rose.

The Dangers of Conventional Sunscreens
According to research from the EWG: Our review…shows that some sunscreen ingredients absorb into the blood, and some have toxic effects. Some release skin-damaging free radicals in sunlight, some act like estrogen and disrupt hormones, and several can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation. The FDA has not established rigorous safety standards for sunscreen ingredients. Sunscreens haven’t been regulated since 1978 in the USA, and the SPF factor only tells you how effective a sunscreen is against UVB rays which cause sunburn.

toxic-sunscreenSo in review, some ingredients may

Absorb into the blood
Release free radicals in sunlight
Act like estrogen
Disrupt hormones
Cause allergic reactions
Cause skin irritation
Have no rigorous safety standards
A recent study published in Environmental Science Technology has also shown the common sunscreen ingredients oxybenzone, methoxycinnamate, and PABA are estrogenic chemicals linked to cancer. That’s right, I read the labels on not only my food products, but on anything I’m putting on or near my body, and you should too. If your sunscreen contains any of these chemicals I’d throw it away right now!

List of Unsafe, Toxic Chemicals in Sunscreen

Para amino benzoic acid
Octyl salicyclate
Oxybenzone
Cinoxate
Dioxybenzone
Phenylbenzimidazole
Homosalate
Menthyl anthranilate
Octocrylene
Methoxycinnamate
Parabens
Stay away from these chemicals