Holistic Health

THE TRUTH ABOUT SUNSCREENS

REVEALED….

The use of sunscreens in today's world has become a very controversial topic of late. The majority of people are generally unaware of ingredients contained in their cosmetics or for that matter, in their food and water. Most of the major cosmetic giants manufacture a variety of sunscreen choices and we need to understand what they are all about. There are also a few companies who make products containing medium to high SPF sunscreens and market them as “natural and organic”, yet their labels all show quite clearly that these sunscreens contain Titanium Dioxide. But that's not the worst of it. According to our in depth research, sunscreens give users a false sense of security in that while they effectively prevent sunburn, they do little or nothing to prevent skin cancer, pigmentation marks or the accelerated aging of the skin caused by sunlight.

2009– Update. There is a substantial body of evidence coming in from the USA . Australia and Europe now suggesting that there is an increase in skin cancer when sunscreen products are used. We've done a lot of research into sunscreens at The Victorian Garden as so many of our customers ask us to make an organic sunscreen. The bottom line is this: we have found no sunscreen ingredients which we consider to be 100% safe let alone organic. Currently he best we can offer is unrefined Shea Butter which has a SPF of about 6 and which is in all our creams and lotions. A few of our other ingredients such as waxes and oils do have a degree of sun protection factor but again, not sufficient to be of much use.  Yes, we can make a sun protection oil which will give some protection but oil is not really consumer friendly as its messy especially for beach/pool use, and unless very carefully formulated with the correct non pore clogging oils, not suitable either for facial use.

You are no doubt wondering why we don't use the mineral Titanium Dioxide which is considered a "safe" sunblock and is a common ingredient in most natural and organic skin care products. Isn't that what "natural and organic" personal care products manufacturers have suggested to you? And your dermatologist/doctor insists that the particular sunscreen cream he sells at his practice is OK'd by the Cancer Association and “approved” by the health board. Well, that may very well be but it doesn't make the product any less dangerous!

The shocking truth is the fact that chemical sunscreens (methoxycinnamate, padimate-o and the like) and physical sunblocks  such as titanium dioxide have been found to generate free radicals when exposed to sunlight, which then can attack the nuclei of your skin cells and cause mutations. That's right: they can cause skin cancer. Furthermore, sunscreen chemicals have been found to pass through the skin and mimic the effects of oestrogen, and we now have overwhelming evidence that tells us synthetic oestrogen disrupts the delicate balance of the body's natural hormones. Titanium Dioxide reflectant grade is used in virtually all skin care products today, including organic skin care products and in some countries Organic Certification bodies are happy to certify products which are “organic” and yet contain this substance.   Sure, I suppose one can say it comes from natural source – in South Africa 's case, from the mining of rutile sands on the seashore at St Lucia. It is claimed that the reflective pigments of Titanium Dioxide are safe as they do not penetrate the skin, but this is another instance of “green washing” – deceiving the public into believing the substance carries no risk when the opposite is the truth.

The following excerpt is taken from a book called "Sunscreen Photo biology—Molecular, Cellular and Physiological Aspects":

"Illumination of titanium dioxide suspensions with sunlight can degrade organic materials and purify drinking water, while illumination with short wave UV kills human cells. This work shows that the distinction between 'chemical' sunscreens and 'physical' sunscreens, attractive though it may be to those who market them, is not based on any significant difference. Both varieties have the potential to produce reactive species that can attack biological materials (human skin cells) when they are exposed to normal sunlight... What is established is that particles of titanium dioxide as large as 220 nm can enter human cells in culture, and so it seems entirely plausible that if titanium dioxide does pass through skin it could enter cells under the skin (carrying with it the absorbed UVA and UVB radiation and hydroxyl radicals).

Titanium dioxide is used as a new treatment for window glass because it attacks and degrades anything that touches it, thereby helping to keep windows clean. It also keeps the sunlight and heat out of offices. Think about this - do you want to have anything attacking your skin?

The sheer pressures of running our business and keeping our customers happy does not allow us to waste precious time debating about synthetic ingredients like nanoparticulate Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) with those who would profit from making and selling them.  Any spare time we have we prefer to spend with people who have the same organic vision as our own yet once again we find ourselves writing about an unsafe ingredient which appears in natural/organic products.  

The following are two quotes from a reputable supplier of pigments that outlines chemical manufacturing techniques of Titanium Dioxide:

"The feedstock for the chloride process is a mineral rutile or synthetic beneficiaries containing over 90 percent TiO2. A suitable ore blend is mixed with a source of carbon and the two are reacted in a fluidized bed with CHLORINE at approximately 900°C. (1650 degrees!) The reaction yields titanium tetrachloride, TiCl4, and the chlorides of all the impurities present."

"...to ensure efficient sulfation by agitation with concentrated SULPHURIC ACID...."

"The pulp is then separated from the mother liquor and extensively washed to remove residual traces of metallic impurities, using CHELATING AGENTS if necessary. The washed pulp is TREATED WITH CHEMICALS which adjust the physical texture..."

"whilst TiO2 may improve the durability of an organic binder (paint or plastic) by adsorbing ultra-violet radiation, free radicals are produced at its surface which lead to photo catalytic breakdown."

 

Through our research over the past 30 years or so,  we hope to contribute in a small way towards helping to raise awareness about ingredients such as this which are environmentally UNfriendly in their manufacture - that in our view means harmful to humans and wildlife and which have a question mark over their safety.   The aim is to encourage everyone to wake up and explore new and innovative uses for renewable and organic materials as alternatives to ingredients such as Titanium Dioxide.  It is our firm belief that its not necessary to use Titanium Dioxide in skincare products and in sunscreen lotions.  Zinc Oxide is the safest sunscreen active ingredient because it has high stability in sunlight.  Zinc itself is an essential nutrient which the human body has need of.   Zinc Oxide is a very important part of the immune system, as well as many other parts of the human body and the recommended daily intake (RDA) is approximately 15-30mg, depending upon the individual.  The nano sized zinc that is used in some sunscreen products is at least 30 times too large to penetrate the skin cells.  However, even if it was small enough to penetrate the skin cells it would be beneficial to the body anyway and contribute towards the RDA – recommended daily intake. Titanium dioxide on the other hand, is not a recommended mineral for the body and is has been published in medical journals to be unstable in the presence of sunlight causing it to become a photocatalyst and even potential further damage.  Other alternatives such as chemical UV-absorbers have had numerous medical research journals showing concerns of absorption into the body and numerous other problems. 

Small amounts of sun are healthy. People and children should remain indoors (at work and school or play) during the hottest part of the day, and when they venture out they should be sure to cover themselves properly. Schedule gardening, errands, play, etc., for early morning or evening hours. Our recommendation for protection: Loose-fitting clothing, shady trees and big floppy hats. Organic cotton is a good way to go!

The decision is yours.

Our products are made with love and care by our team of experienced bio chemists well versed in the art of creating Natural and Organic skincare products to international standards.   We are registered with the *CTFA of South Africa (Cosmetic Toiletries and Fragrance Association and The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa, Our products are approved by Beauty Without Cruelty.
*Note: The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association of South Africa is the industry's voice committed to maintaining the high quality and safety of cosmetic products. The CTFA guides members on the Self-regulatory Codes of Practice & Standards to ensure that the South African cosmetic industry flourishes.

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