Should You Really Avoid Sunscreen?

Recently, there has been quite a hubbub in the world of skincare, with many people suggesting that rather than use sunscreen regularly, as has been advised for years, the public actually avoid sunscreen. Before you make a decision to use or to avoid sunscreen, it’s necessary to learn both sides of the issue.

There are two main arguments behind the advice to avoid sunscreen: first, chemicals in the sunscreen may cause health issues, and second, that sunscreen blocks the body’s ability to make Vitamin D. Those who support the idea to avoid sunscreen claim that the chemicals in sunscreen can not only cause the release of free radicals, but also that these chemicals themselves can cause cancer. Further, another reason given to avoid sunscreen is the assertion that it reduces your body’s capacity to make Vitamin D, which is an essential nutrient for bone, teeth, and overall health.

However, when you consider that skin cancer, often caused by over-exposure to UV radiation, is the most common form of cancer in the United States, it becomes clear why rather than avoid sunscreen dermatologists and doctors worldwide have advised its use for years. Meanwhile, rickets, which is caused by Vitamin D deficiency, is nearly unheard of in the U.S. In fact, even the National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements calls rickets “a rare disease in the United States.” Further, the American Cancer Society actually recommends, rather than avoid sunscreen, to use sunscreen as part of a sun protection program, saying that the best way to avoid non-melanoma skin cancer is to limit UV exposure. Although Vitamin D is indeed an exceptionally important vitamin for health, it is not necessary to avoid sunscreen because of concern for Vitamin D production. In fact, the ACS says on their website that “most people need only about 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week of sun exposure to make enough Vitamin D.”

Beyond the reasons mentioned above, there is always the fact that the idea to avoid sunscreen is quite new, while many studies have been done on the safety of sunscreen, and the advice to use it has been given for years. Whether you choose to use or to avoid sunscreen, it’s important to make sure you are informed on all sides of the issue.