Here Comes The Sunblock
Article By Helen Lovell-Wayne, MS
Picture by Mearlywan
hlovell@gmail.com
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Every day, people go outside and protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays using various kinds of sunscreen with various degrees of protection. Even with sunblock, a person might experience migraines, fever, nausea, and exhaustion (S. Sultana et al., 2024) from excessive sun exposure. Sunscreen has a reputation for protecting against UVA and UVB rays. These UV rays cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Correct use of sunscreen, when used with other methods, is effective at preventing some of the adverse effects of sun exposure (S. Sultana et al.,2024). Until recently, most people did not consider the fact that sunblock itself could be harmful to humans and the environment.
Recent studies estimate that 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter oceans annually, with 80%
containing ecologically harmful ingredients (Smijs, T. and Pavel, S. 2011). Some of these ingredients harm the users themselves. Most people assume that regular use of sunscreen protects against the development of all types of skin cancer. This protective effect has only been confirmed in the case of actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma (Smijs, T. and Pavel, S. 2011). The scientific evidence that sunscreens protect against the other two common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, is inconclusive (Smijs, T. and Pavel, S. 2011).
☀️Sunblock Can Be Harmful 🤒
Applying sunblock puts chemicals on the skin that can cause other health problems. For instance, in the manufacturing of most chemical sunblock’s, mineral pigments are used (Maryam, A. et al 2023). This can lead to contamination by some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr) in the sunblock itself Maryam, A. et al 2023). The heavy metals can attach themselves to the UV filters and preservatives. Additionally, the above-mentioned heavy metals can easily be absorbed through the skin and cause serious health problems (Maryam, A. et al 2023).
For instance, heavy metals can form bonds with the plasma protein and be biotransformed in the liver. After the biotransformation, some heavy metals may pass from the body through the urine and other body fluids. Unfortunately, sometimes these metals are not excreted and instead bioaccumulate in the bodies of the users (Maryam, A. et al 2023). This phenomenon can lead to several negative long-term health problems.
🌊A Change In Sunblock Ingredients 💦
A new compound had recently been approved by the FDA for use in sunscreen. It is called bemotrizinol. This compound has been shown to absorb UV rays. It does not break down as easily as other components of chemical sunblock (Latha, M. et al.2013). However, it does nothing to protect against the heavy metals that can contaminate many sunblocks. This compound is not the entire solution.
Other new developments include a new approach to the ingredients found in sunblock. The above-mentioned chemical sunscreens work by seeping into the skin to absorb the UV rays. These chemicals harm the ocean or lake ecology and sometimes the wearer as well. So now some people are choosing sunscreen with physical barriers instead. These compounds simply deflect the light, and they sit on top of the skin instead of being absorbed into the body (Maryam, A. et al 2023).
🫀Physical Sunblock Is Not Ideal 🫁
Mineral sunblock, on the other hand, creates a physical barrier from the sun. It is created with a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Although these compounds stay on the surface of the skin, they can still be harmful to the body. Titanium (Ti) is harmful to the lungs and liver, the cardiovascular system, and causes skin irritations [9]. (Maryam, A. et al 2023). Zinc has been shown to cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pains (Maryam, A. et al 2023).
So the sunblock manufacturers started dividing zinc and Titanium into microparticles. This action reduces the physical amount of these elements on the skin. However, by cutting these elements so small, they are making it easier for them to make their way into the body through small openings in the skin ( S. Sultana et al. 2024). This phenomenon can cause the above-mentioned health effects ( S. Sultana et al. 2024). So some companies are now using bio adhesive particles, which seem, at least for now, to solve that problem. The microparticles stick together and don’t migrate into the body, and they can easily be wiped off with a towel. That solves the problem for people, but not the overall ecology
🐟Sunblock With Nanoparticles Is Not The Ideal Solution 🏞️
The nanoparticles of these types of sunblock tend to accumulate in the sediments of urban and recreational waters: TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles can inhibit algal photosynthesis (Yuxin Lai 2026). Which means less growth, food production, and reproduction. In high doses, it can even lead to death (Yuxin Lai 2026). means less food for the creatures that eat algae, which means there are fewer animals on every level of the food chain (Yuxin Lai 2026). For more tips on protecting overall water quality, read Laundry: A Dirty Secret or Dishwashing the Inside Scoop.
With both options of sunblock causing health issues, the average consumer does not appear to have an option that is viable. However, many cultures have been using plant oil as sunblock for hundreds of years. These plants have plenty of tannins and flavonoids. They block the UVA and UVB rays.
🍃Possible Sunblock Solutions 🫚
For instance, bandotan root is a plant found in Indonesia that has sunscreen properties (Athiyah, Ahmad, and Rijai 2015). These roots contain compounds that play an important role in the reaction of sunblock, namely: alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, and tannins (Alvyabti, F., Azzahra, G. and Cahyaningtyas, S. 2022). Since bandotan root has plenty of these compounds, it creates an effective sunblock (Purwaningsih, Salamah, and Adnin 2015). These roots and other plants in the genus have the potential to create a completely natural sunblock that does not harm the marine environment. Another plant with potential is Cantigi.
Most “natural” or mineral sunscreens currently on the market are composed of zinc or titanium. In rare instances, they are composed of plant tannins and flavonoids that block both UV rays. There could be a plethora of sunscreens that cause minimal damage to both people and the ecology in the future. In the meantime, be cautious with the use of sunblock, and pick what is least harmful to both you and the environment. Hopefully, soon, we can all walk or swim in the sun without any fear of developing illnesses or harming the planet.
