OSU study: After two hours, sunscreen that includes zinc oxide loses effectiveness, becomes toxic

[All-Rounder]

https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/...-zinc-oxide-loses-effectiveness-becomes-toxic
A study suggests that zinc oxide particles regardless of size practically deem the sunscreen product ineffective and toxic.

What do you replace sunscreen with? My aunt uses cold pressed coconut oil but it is comedogenic from what I read, like it clogs the pores.

 

[Aspychata]

Definitely, all sunscreens lose their effectiveness after 2 hours, those with or without zinc. The common instructions are usually to reapply after 90 minutes or so. But almost all commercially sold sunscreens available have questionable ingredients. So does a lot of deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, makeup, hair dyes, detergent, room sprays, dry shampoo, the list goes on and on. Petroleum is a by product found in a lot of room sprays that you may use to freshen up your kitchen with after cooking something smelly.

 

[All-Rounder]

Definitely, all sunscreens lose their effectiveness after 2 hours, those with or without zinc. The common instructions are usually to reapply after 90 minutes or so. But almost all commercially sold sunscreens available have questionable ingredients. So does a lot of deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, makeup, hair dyes, detergent, room sprays, dry shampoo, the list goes on and on.

Argh, carrying sunscreen is annoying, it heats up and spoils unless it's like a small container and if it's a spray can it's not supposed to heat up or it "can" explode.

I can't see myself spraying myself in public lol. Although I have applied cream on the street before, because Im forgetful and I used to carry a lot of things with me and do stuff on my way somewhere literally while walking.

 

[Aspychata]

Right now, l have sunscreen in a block, like a deodorant solid instead of a spray. It fits in my small purse.

 

[All-Rounder]

Right now, l have sunscreen in a block, like a deodorant solid instead of a spray. It fits in my small purse.

Oh a block, you say. A sun-block.
That's interesting.

 

[All-Rounder]

I just found this, a brush-on block

It indicates its lifespan on the box, 80 mins.

 

[Aspychata]

This is reasonably priced, fits in my purse. It's solid not a liquid, so l may have the wrong picture but it's the right brand.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

When out in the sun all day paddling a canoe, I get reflected light from the water as well as the direct light. If I didn’t use sun block, I would have to wear long pants, long sleeves, gloves and shoes. Way too hot! I’ll take the chemicals, please.

 

[Aspychata]

I won't buy a car where the window exposes you to sun, my current car, l sit far back, and l have a huge dashboard which gives me distance from sun and a head-on accident, hopefully.

 

[Outdated]

In a lot of tropical countries they're now banning it. Too many tourists swimming in the ocean covered in it was creating an ecological disaster.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58092472

 

[MC1Rcat]

I hate the feeling of sticky heavy stuff on my skin. I never go to the beach and only need protection from the sun while walking around outside. So, I use a SPF treated, big umbrella made by Coolibar

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

I believe this is blown way out of proportion.

By contrast, most sunscreen is made with oxybenzone and other terrible chemicals that are absorbed by our bodies.

Zinc oxide is gentle and natural, by comparison. It is used as diaper rash ointment for babies. It soothes and heals the skin.

And, if used as a sunscreen, it creates a barrier that most ultraviolet radiation cannot penetrate.

I have pale, delicate skin. I am allergic to most sunscreens and personal care products. They are too harsh for my skin. Causing rashes. But zinc oxide is natural and safe. Safe enough for newborn babies.

Zinc oxide sunblock disappears into the skin, moisturizing and protecting it all day.

I have almost no melanin, other than freckles, and the lightest tan. I burn very easily. And Zinc Oxide provides wonderful protection.

I would look into who funded this research. Because most other research says something very different. Plus, nearly every mother on earth for at least the past century has trusted zinc oxide to protect baby's sensitive skin.

Spoiler

Alba Botanica makes a beautiful, gentle mineral sunscreen with an SPF of 50 plus. They have a fragrance free option. But I really like the coconut scented one.

Trader Joes sells an affordable mineral sunscreen as well. It is fragrance free. I buy this most often.

 

[Aspychata]

I gotta agree with @Yeshuasdaughter , l would rather put that on me then other ingredients. I practice safe times to go out, or l wear sun protection clothes and a hat. I am extremely pale, l have light color eyes, (the color of a pale green ocean), and l have thin skin, all the worse to be born with, these are all factors for sun danage. My dermatologist told me in high school, l was destined to a life of sun protection due to my skin type. (Crying). I also have all the factors for bone loss, light color eyes, petite statue, yada, yada, yada. After a while, you hate medical stats. I am so pale, l can't even freckle, l am jealous @Yeshuasdaughter . My grandmother who was Italien, was very pale and had beautiful grey eyes.

 

[MNAus]

It's not pleasant reading the ingredients list, but we get through gallons of sunscreen. We have a half litre pump bottle by the front door. I'm fair skinned, which doesn't help, but as an indication of the sun here, I got sunburn in the time it took to walk from the car, put up the beach umbrella, put down the blanket and get the kids' sunscreen on. It's part of the morning ritual, just like finding their hats which seem to get left at school every day.

A lot of European folk come here thinking it's similar to home and don't use sun protection. We're at the equivalent latitude for sun exposure as Dallas, Texas here in Sydney. Brisbane is the equivalent to Dubai.

 

[Seladon]

Oh. I use zinc oxide cream as a healing barrier for my skincare at night. Should I…not be doing that? Or is it ok because I’m indoors wearing it, and I wash it off in the morning?

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

Oh. I use zinc oxide cream as a healing barrier for my skincare at night. Should I…not be doing that? Or is it ok because I’m indoors wearing it, and I wash it off in the morning?

It's safe. It's just one skewed study.

 

[Outdated]

Australian professional cricketers still use the old zinc oxide cream, they find it protects them better and it doesn't slide off their faces when they get sweaty.

A lot of European folk come here thinking it's similar to home and don't use sun protection. We're at the equivalent latitude for sun exposure as Dallas, Texas here in Sydney. Brisbane is the equivalent to Dubai.

Earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical, no orbits are perfectly round. When the earth is at it's closest to the sun (perihelion) is during the southern summer and that's why the sun is so much brighter and hotter here.

I'm one of those people that doesn't burn and I don't get melanoma either, which is fortunate because I can't stand the feel of that stuff on my skin. I tried it once when I was in my 20s and swore never again. My mother was the same. My father, brother and sister all suffered melanoma but not me or Mum. A combination of genetics and exposure at an early age.

For those of you with sensitive skin that don't want to wear sunscreen - a long sleeved shirt and a broad brimmed hat are good protection.

 

[Forest Cat]

For those of you with sensitive skin that don't want to wear sunscreen - a long sleeved shirt and a broad brimmed hat are good protection.

An alternative to sunscreen:

 

[MNAus]

Earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical, no orbits are perfectly round. When the earth is at it's closest to the sun (perihelion) is during the southern summer and that's why the sun is so much brighter and hotter here.

Absolutely, good point. In fact, we're probably closer to Yemen for sun intensity!

 

[Mary Terry]

Australian professional cricketers still use the old zinc oxide cream, they find it protects them better and it doesn't slide off their faces when they get sweaty.


Earth's orbit around the sun is elliptical, no orbits are perfectly round. When the earth is at it's closest to the sun (perihelion) is during the southern summer and that's why the sun is so much brighter and hotter here.

I'm one of those people that doesn't burn and I don't get melanoma either, which is fortunate because I can't stand the feel of that stuff on my skin. I tried it once when I was in my 20s and swore never again. My mother was the same. My father, brother and sister all suffered melanoma but not me or Mum. A combination of genetics and exposure at an early age.

For those of you with sensitive skin that don't want to wear sunscreen - a long sleeved shirt and a broad brimmed hat are good protection.

I wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, and avoid sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. If I need sunscreen on my face such as when I'm at the beach, I prefer Blue Lizard which I think is an Aussie brand. That stuff works.

I'm very fair skinned with light colored eyes and have a strong family history of skin cancers so, yeah, I use sun protection.

Edit: Everyone needs to protect their eyes from sun exposure. UV light causes cataracts and can cause eye cancer from over-exposure. I wear high quality sunglasses, especially critical when I'm driving.