The Sunshine Dilemma: Vitamin D, Toxic Sunscreens, and Safer Alternatives

If you’re anything like us, we’re all on the edge of our seats waiting for summer to finally make its debut! Splash pads, pools, and tons of outside time are right around the corner, and many people wonder: how can you keep the family safe, while also getting in all that Vitamin D? Depending on who you talk to sunlight can be a hot topic (pun intended). On one hand, it’s our most natural source of Vitamin D, a crucial nutrient for immune function, bone health, and inflammation regulation. On the other, excessive sun exposure can lead to skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. There are a few solutions to torching the body’s only covering.  One of those solutions is sunscreen. But not all sunscreens are created equal—many contain harmful chemicals that may do more harm than good.  Let’s take a brief look at the benefits of vitamin D and learn which kinds of sunscreen to grab and which to avoid.  

The Vital Role of Vitamin D: 

Often called the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D is a powerhouse nutrient essential for overall well-being. When our skin is exposed to UVB rays, it triggers a complicated cascade that ends in the production of vitamin D, which is needed for: 

• Bone Health: By regulating calcium absorption, vitamin D helps maintain strong bones and reduces the risk of fractures. 

• Immune Function: It plays a critical role in modulating immune responses, lowering inflammation, and strengthening the body's defense against infections. 

• Cancer Prevention: Research suggests that optimal vitamin D levels may contribute to a lower risk of certain cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer. 

• Brain & Mood Regulation: It’s involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and may help regulate mood; low levels are linked to depression, cognitive decline, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 

•  Muscle Function: D3 helps maintain muscle strength and function, and deficiency can contribute to weakness, especially in older adults. 

Our Big Vitamin Deficiency Issue 

• Despite its significance, vitamin D deficiency is rampant in the United States, at least 35% of adults in the US are considered low.  This is often due to limited sun exposure, excessive sunscreen use, and increasingly sedentary indoor lifestyles. While supplementation is helpful, moderate sun exposure remains one of the best ways to naturally maintain adequate levels. So we need ways to safely get some sun.  Here are some ways to naturally avoid sunburn without sunscreens whenever possible: 

• Avoid frequent use of sunglasses:  when UVB rays enter the eyes (indirectly! Please don’t stare at the sun!) it triggers the body to produce substances like melanin that help to naturally protect the body from sun exposure. 

• Eat a sun protective diet:  this includes Omega 3’s, foods high in antioxidants and lycopene rich foods 

• Stay hydrated: drink at least half your body weight in ounces daily and add electrolytes!  Dehydrated skin will burn more easily 

• Avoid midday sun 

• Wear UV protective clothing: wearing breathable long sleeves can help shield easy to burn areas like the arms and shoulders when longer exposure is unavoidable  

The Dark Side of Sunscreen 

• While sunscreen does provide UV protection, many commercial formulas contain nasty, harmful chemicals that may pose health risks. Some widely used chemical UV filters—such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone—have been linked to hormone disruption, environmental toxicity, and skin irritation.  These ingredients aren’t even allowed in certain areas like Hawaii because they kill the coral reefs, yet these companies expect us to slather them on our skin.  

• Even more concerning, recent studies have detected benzene contamination in certain sunscreen products, a known carcinogen that raises safety concerns. As these ingredients absorb into the skin and enter the bloodstream, they can contribute to long-term health risks that go beyond surface-level sun defense. 

What can we do when we just need some sunscreen? (Hello Mexican vacation!) 

To strike a balance between safe sun exposure and effective skin protection, many experts recommend mineral-based sunscreens formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These physical blockers sit on the skin’s surface rather than being absorbed, offering a cleaner, non-toxic alternative 

Not all sunscreens are created equally so we recommend mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on the skin rather than absorbing into the bloodstream or better yet, a tallow-based sunscreen. Here are our top 4 recommendations (in order of what we like): 

1. Sky and Sol Natural Mineral Sunscreen  

2. Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen  

3. Badger Mineral Sunscreen 

4. Earth Mama Mineral Sunscreen 

   
   

Balancing sun exposure for vitamin D production while avoiding harmful sunscreen ingredients is key to holistic health. Opting for clean, mineral-based sunscreens ensures effective protection without compromising hormonal balance or environmental safety. 

By making informed choices, we can embrace the sun safely—nourishing our bodies with vitamin D while shielding our skin with non-toxic alternatives to keep the entire family safe!