Sunlight Is Not the Enemy

Sunscreen is something we’ve all been told and trained to wear daily to protect our skin from damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer. However, today’s blog we’re taking a deeper, more holistic look at sunscreen use like when it’s truly necessary, the potential negative effects of overuse, and how it may contribute to vitamin D deficiency. 

What is Sunscreen?

Sunscreen shields your skin from harmful UV rays that cause skin damage. There are two types…

1. Chemical sunscreen, which is absorbed into the skin.
2. Physical sunscreen, which sits on the skin’s surface and reflects UV rays away.

How Does Sunscreen Protect?

Sunscreen is made up of various active chemical or mineral ingredients that form a protective layer on top of the skin. This barrier helps defend the skin against UV radiation, while also preventing premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. 

Chemical vs. Physical sunscreens

Chemical Sunscreen: Absorbs UV rays and converts them into heat which is then released from the body. Common ingredients include Avobenzone, Homosalate, and Octisalate, among many other names. These formulas are light and spread easily onto the skin. If you have oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin, it is best to avoid chemical sunscreens because they can contribute to irritation or breakouts.

Physical Sunscreen: Creates a barrier on the skin to deflect the UV rays away from the body, like a mirror. Physical sunscreen ingredients include Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. They’re ideal for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin, but can leave a white cast on the skin. 

Sunscreen: Good vs. Bad

As an esthetician, I was trained to recommend daily sunscreen use without question. Yet, through my studies in functional medicine, my perspective has shifted to a different narrative. And that’s what I’d like to focus on today! Sunscreen is important to wear if you’re going to be outdoors for prolonged periods of time or when exposed in peak UV hours (aka the middle of the day). However, too much sunscreen use blocks the body’s ability to make Vitamin D. And this is where the balance lies. 

Research has also raised questions about sunscreen effectiveness and long-term outcomes, showing that it potentially causes skin cancer. Skin cancer rates have been on the rise since the 1970s, when sunscreen was introduced. PubMed has studied sunscreens ability to potentially contribute to skin cancers, “If melanoma and basal cell carcinoma are initiated or promoted by solar radiation other than UVB, as laboratory data suggest, then UVB sunscreens might not be effective in preventing these cancers, and sunscreen use might increase the risk of their occurrence.”

UVA vs. UVB Exposure

Not all UV rays are created equal. There are multiple forms of UV and this single letter determines the length of the UV rays (A or B). Digging in a little deeper than shorter or longer, we are going to talk about the risks and benefits of both.

UVA

UVA is the longer wavelength, meaning it penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin and is known to cause damage to the skin and collagen, resulting in aging. Think UVA; A=aging. PubMed says, “UVA exposure predominately impacts the collagen fibres and elastin within the dermis, resulting in premature skin ageing which presents as atrophic skin, elastosis, deep wrinkles and telangiectasia. It also triggers melanogenesis, a protective mechanism to delay further DNA damage.”

UVB

UVB is the shorter wavelength, meaning it is responsible for sunburns. Think UVB; B=burning. Newer studies and treatments are coming out talking about the healing benefits of minimal UVB exposure. While UVB can cause burning, treading the fine line behind how much we should get is where the sweet spot lies. PubMed says, “Exposure stimulates the generation of reactive oxygen species and damages cellular DNA directly, triggering mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. It also plays a role in vitamin D production in the skin and has immunosuppressive effects, hence the role of phototherapy in inflammatory dermatosis, such as psoriasis.”

Sun Exposure vs. Sun Burns

This is where more education needs to come in because there is a big difference between sun exposure and sun burns. 

Sun Exposure

Our skin needs sun exposure and this is where many people get it wrong because we feel that the sun is damaging and harmful to our skin, yet thousands of years ago, skin cancer wasn’t a thing. Workers spent their days outdoors working in the fields and no mention of skin cancer is recorded. So is the sun really that bad? I believe it isn’t. However, I do believe, and this is my personal opinion, our gut health and environment contribute to sunburns, not the fact of wearing sunscreen or not. The true issue is overexposure and imbalance. 

Sun Burns

Sunburns are bad. Period. When you get sunburnt, you have damaged your skin. That inflammation that you see after too much sun exposure is damage showing up. To avoid sunburns, this is where applying and wearing sunscreen is important and either avoiding or minimizing sun exposure during the middle of the day. Your best times for sun exposure are early morning sun (which is the best) and end of the day sun to increase Vitamin D levels and immunity.

Anti-Sunscreen Movement

The Anti-Sunscreen Movement is a TikTok trend against the safety and necessity of sunscreen. While I agree with not using chemical sunscreens, I don’t agree with going without it completely. 

Here’s the main reasoning behind this trend: 

• Toxic ingredients, many of the sunscreen ingredients are endocrine disrupting 
• Sunscreen causes cancer (I believe this is true for some chemical sunscreen ingredients)
• Alternative options meaning using ingredients that naturally protect against the sun (I would recommend coconut oil as a sunscreen alternative)
• Vitamin D deficiency 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a hormone that is crucial for our body, yet most of us are deficient. Supplements can help, but the best way to increase Vitamin D levels is through sun exposure. Science Direct states, “Although sunlight exposure accounts for about 80% to 90% of vitamin D3 synthesis in most individuals, the potential impact of sunscreen use on [Vitamin] D levels has garnered considerable attention. Indeed, by blocking UVB radiation, sunscreen has been hypothesized to adversely affect vitamin D3 production.”

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiencies are very common. Two of the reasons are lack of sun exposure and diet. While supplementation is important, getting outside in real sunlight is the most beneficial way to increase Vitamin D levels. PubMed says, “UV exposure is the primary method of boosting serum vitamin D levels, which accounts for numerous health benefits. Higher levels of vitamin D are associated with protection against cancer development, including melanoma.” While we fear the sun to avoid skin cancer and melanoma, increased UV exposure to boost Vitamin D levels can also protect against melanoma & skin cancers. 

Vitamin D and Cholesterol

When we hear the word cholesterol, we think of heart disease or heart attack. But what if cholesterol production is linked to Vitamin D deficiencies? Cholesterol is a waxy-like substance that aids in building cell membranes, hormone production, and produces bile acids in the liver to aid in digestion. According to Rupa Health, “Emerging evidence suggests that LDL and HDL particles are integral components of our innate immune system. For example, HDL particles have antimicrobial properties, helping protect against parasites and bacteria. Similarly, LDL appears to play a role in pathogen clearance.”

Recap

We have to start thinking about the sun as a benefit to our health, but still stay within the means of prevention of sunburns and skin damage. 

The goal is balance not avoidance. 

• Get intentional sun exposure
• Avoid sunburn at all costs
• Use sunscreen strategically—not excessively

Ready to Get Started?

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