Your Sunscreen is Causing Cancer ?? Part. 1

"The sun,— the bright sun, that brings back, not light alone, but new life, and hope, and freshness to man — burst upon the crowded city in clear and radiant glory." - Charles Dickens

Dear Readers,

For centuries before us, the Sun has always been hailed as not a source of light, but energy, hope, and life, too. Without the sun, there is no life, no plants would grow, there would be no nutrition for herbivores, the omni and carnivores would be sickly — wait, that is almost the state of most humans today unironically. Globally, 1 in 3 people suffer from multiple chronic conditions1, which means a majority of our population today, is actually sick.

The root cause of chronic diseases is a detrimental change in our lifestyle, that collectively affects multiple people worldwide, with similar symptoms and disregulations.

This new fear-mongering against the most potent source of energy - the Sun, is not doing us any good. Truth, logic, and reason are not the values of modern medicine, which cares about being a business. Every individual healed or kept healthy is a customer lost.

Animals, plants, and water, all seek the sun, only humans today are hellbent on slathering chemicals all over them to block the Sun’s rays out.

In numerous ways, this is a big blow to our health.

The focus of this series is an attempt to help you understand why most sunscreens cause more harm than good.

We’ll go over ingredients, vitamin D synthesis, and the decadent problem people have been brainwashed into.

References to all research papers and clinical trials can be found at the end of this essay. Happy reading

Traditional sunscreens have a composition that looks as follows:

20% - Active ingredients that block the sun’s rays

55% - Solvents, emulsifiers / thickening agents, and preservatives

23% - Sensory enhancers like fragrances and emollients

2% - Added compounds like blue light protectors, aloe, etc.

There could be harmful ingredients in any of these categories but I will lay more emphasis on the active ingredients.

Let’s start with a list of ingredients to look out for in your sunscreen:

Octocrylene

Octocrylene is a very common active ingredient used in both sunscreens and anti-aging creams, meaning, it protects you from the UV rays of the Sun.

However, this naturally degrades into an aryl ketone called benzophenone through retro-aldol condensation. If you like organic chemistry, the chemical reaction is as follows:

Now benzophenone {(C6H5)2CO} like all ketones, is soluble in organic solvents which is why it is present and sustained in sunscreens.

It is known to be PBT - persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic.2

In humans, BP-3 (Benzophenone-3) has been found in samples of urine, breast milk, blood serum, as well as in placental tissue showing its potency and toxicity.

Numerous in vitro investigations have shown that BP-3 has the potential to disturb the endocrine system.

Based on a receptor binding assay, BP-3 has demonstrated potent anti-androgenic and negligible estrogenic effects, but it also exhibits anti-estrogenic effects.

Being an EDC - endocrine disrupting chemical, serves its capacity to be more than just a toxin, but also a predecessor to a large number of health dysfunctions, including skin cancer and breast cancer (by imitating the action of natural estrogen in the body.)

This degradation of octocrylene also leads to the production of ROS - (Reactive Oxygen Species) which are highly reactive molecules that can damage cellular components, including DNA. By causing cell distress, damage to DNA they lead to mutations and the development of cancer over time.

This essentially makes this ‘hidden’ compound, carcinogenic.

If your gut recognized benzophenone - from benzene, then you are on the right track, as benzene is a declared carcinogen.3 Now, if you are wondering why such a disclaimer is not issued on labels, it’s because toxicity is also dependent on volume and levels.4

The FDA threshold for systemic absorption referred to in these papers equates to the concentration considered safe by default. The approximated cancer risk associated with plasma concentrations below this threshold would be less than 1 in 100,000 after a single dose. This is considered low enough that no other safety data are required.5

So: The first compound to look out for and avoid in your sunscreen is Octocrylene. Its trade names are also

octocrilene,

2-Ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,

3 diphenylpropenoate,

Uvinul N 539 T,

Eusolex OCR,

Uvinul N 539 and

Eusolex 2292.

For a longer list of the alternate names, check out this resource.6

You know it's bad when even ChatGPT knows the harmful effects of sunscreen (especially those with Octocrylene)

PS: If you are someone who loves caring for the environment, know octocrylene washes off into water bodies, harming marine life. It accumulates in fish and coral reefs, disrupting aquatic ecosystems seriously.

Thank you for reading! It is my goal to make Heal Thyself by Shevaun Pimenta LinkedIn's most loved health and wellness newsletters and your go-to sources for unbiased, authentic, effective functional nutrition insights.

True health is highly personalized and bioindividual. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't, and always pay attention to what your body is telling you!

For personalized guidance to optimize your unique constitution and lifestyle, feel free to reach out for a consultation.

DM me to simply have a quick chat and take your first step towards healthier, balanced hormone health! Or visit my website to learn more about my services here: https://shevauneuron.wordpress.com/services/

Thank you for reading!

Best regards,

Shevaun Pimenta

#functionalnutritionist #sunscreen #SPF #UVProtection

carcinogens | sun cancer | clean skincare | busting myths

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References

1

Hajat C, Stein E, 2018 “The global burden of multiple chronic conditions: A narrative review” Preventive Medicine Reports 12: 284–293

2

Kim, S., & Choi, K. (2014). Occurrences, toxicities, and ecological risks of benzophenone-3, a common component of organic sunscreen products: a mini-review. Environment international, 70, 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2014.05.015

3

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2007). Toxicological profile for Benzene. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

4

Howard, L., Birnie, A., & Sarkany, R. (2021). Comment on "Benzophenone Accumulates over Time from the Degradation of Octocrylene in Commercial Sunscreen Products". Chemical Research in Toxicology, 34(9), 1944-1945. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00265

5

Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use. Federal Register, 84, 6204–6275. https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-03019

6

Alternate names of Octocrylene: https://www.contactdermatitisinstitute.com/octocrylene.php