*Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in [Month Year] and was last updated on May 30, 2025 to reflect new research, personal insights, and refined wellness practices.

____

Another Wellness Wednesday post and another rabbit hole I went down over three years ago now.

And this one? It’s all about why I no longer use sunscreen. Per usual, the more I learned on this subject, the more I hated that it took me so long to learn it. Isn’t that always the way it goes when you start making baby steps toward better health, cultivating true wellness, and learning the actual truth about things? Whether it’s learning to read ingredient labels, researching food supply chains, or realizing how many “facts” are just marketing spins. The wellness journey is often a deconstruction of everything we thought was good for us.

Here’s a thought to sit with before we dive into this one: When you lather chemicals on your skin, consume chemicals in your food, and then bake in the sun for hours, cancer is a possibility. But we’re blaming the sun. The very thing that has powered all living things for thousands of years instead of confronting the toxic realities of modern-day living.

So let’s talk about why I no longer use sunscreen.

*PSA: None of this is medical advice. Do your own research and come to your own conclusions as to what is best for you.

As with everything our family has grown through and experienced as we have worked to reduce our toxin load, get intentional with our products and food, and truly understand for ourselves what is best, it’s hard to look back over the years and think about all the things we used to do, used to use, and just didn’t know. For example, so many years spent spraying my kids with junk sunscreen from the store all summer long. Groan.

However, we are not going to dwell on that and stay there. This very reason is exactly why I share on the subject of wellness in the first place. I know the peace of mind these changes and increased knowledge have brought me. I now understand that putting the effort and time into researching and knowing for myself deposits into the health bank all day long. And if I can help another do the same through what I share? That’s the goal. To link arms in knowing better and doing better for ourselves and our families.

The Truth About Sunlight

When we stop fearing the sun and start understanding it, something shifts. Natural sunlight is not the villain, it’s essential. Here are just a few of its proven benefits:

01. Sunlight strengthens your immune system

Vitamin D, primarily synthesized through sun exposure, is vital for immune health. A strong immune system reduces the risk of infections, chronic illness, and even some cancers.

02. It supports better sleep

Sunlight helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm. When you get consistent exposure during the day, your body is better equipped to produce melatonin at night which then works to improve both sleep quality and energy levels.

03. It boosts your mood

Sunshine increases serotonin production, which helps you feel calm, focused, and… not like you’re one small inconvenience away from losing it all.

04. It reduces stress

Because melatonin (yep, that again) also plays a role in reducing stress responses. Plus, we’re often doing something when we’re outside—walking, swimming, gardening—which naturally lowers cortisol.

05. It supports bone health

Sunlight = Vitamin D = calcium absorption = strong bones. We learned this in middle school science… then forgot it because we got distracted by SPF 70.

The Sunscreen Paradox

Let’s take a look at two facts:

• Sunscreen was invented in 1932 but didn’t become mainstream in the U.S. until the 1970s. That’s also when the FDA began regulating it.

• Melanoma rates in the U.S. have doubled since 1982, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Wait… what?

We’ve been told for decades that sunscreen is our best defense against sun damage. But if sunscreen is supposed to prevent skin cancer, why has skin cancer become the most common cancer in the U.S.?

Could it be that the very thing marketed to protect us is actually contributing to the problem? Possibly, but I think there is more to it.

Let’s Talk Toxins

The more we work to reduce our toxin load as a family through food, personal care, and household products, the harder it becomes to ignore what’s in mainstream sunscreens. I cringe thinking about how many summers I sprayed my kids down with store-bought SPF without a second thought.

But we’re not here to dwell in guilt. We’re here to do better moving forward. And that starts with knowing what’s in our products.

Let’s break it down:

The Top 5 Toxic Ingredients in Chemical Sunscreens (According to EWG)

• Oxybenzone – a known endocrine disruptor

• Octinoxate – harmful to both health and marine life

• Homosalate

• Octocrylene

• Octisalate

These synthetic ingredients are absorbed into the skin and ultimately into the bloodstream. Studies show they remain in the body for days or even weeks after application. Meanwhile, the FDA classifies only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as “safe and effective” sunscreen ingredients. And yet, major brands continue to use toxic chemicals. Even after repeated recalls. Even after benzene (a known carcinogen) was found in dozens of products. Cue the PR spin: “Benzene is not an ingredient – we’re just not sure how it got in there.”

We’ve heard that one before, Johnson & Johnson.

No one is coming to protect your health like you will. That’s why it matters to stay curious, question the norm, and choose better when you can.

So… What Do I Do Instead?

These days, I approach sun exposure differently. My goal isn’t to avoid the sun, but to build a healthier relationship with it.

01. I focus on what I put in our bodies

Nutrient-dense, whole foods are my first line of defense. We avoid seed oils, processed foods, and PUFAs, which contribute to inflammation and poor skin health. Remember, your skin is an organ and it reflects what’s happening inside.

02. I prioritize safe sun time

Morning sun (before 11:00 AM) and evening sun (after 4:00 PM) is our favorite time to be outside for an extended period. During those hours, I don’t apply anything, just soak up the benefits. Our summer routine? Pool time anywhere from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM daily. Zero sunburns. All the Vitamin D.

03. I protect intentionally during peak hours

From 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, we’re cautious if we know we are going to be in the sun for an extended period of time (lake trips, festivals, etc). Hats, lightweight clothing, and shade come first. If we’re going to be outside for extended periods, I will sometimes use a mineral-based sunscreen—just on our faces and necks. And only the clean stuff.

What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreen?

Chemical Sunscreens:

• Absorbed into the skin

• Contain synthetic ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate

• Linked to hormone disruption and skin irritation

Mineral Sunscreens:

• Sit on top of the skin

• Use natural ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide

• Physically block UV rays rather than absorbing them

• Safe, though a little thicker in texture

When we do need to use sunscreen, we opt for a tallow-based or mineral-based sunscreen. A huge step up from the chemical-laden stuff we used to slather on.

I love Primally Pure’s Sun Stick for easy application. Young Living’s mineral-based sunscreen is one I reach for as well. 

For an excellent list of vetted options, check out the EWG’s sunscreen guide here.

Final Thoughts + Resources

We live in a world where it’s easy to find “science” to support whatever you want to believe. That’s why I always look beyond the three-letter agencies (they lost my vote a long time ago) and dig into peer-reviewed research, holistic perspectives, and real-life data before deciding what’s best for me and my family.

Here are some articles I found incredibly helpful:

Research Article by Weston A. Price: Sunlight & Vitamin D Are Not the Same Thing

Research Article by Weston A. Price: The Dark Side of Avoiding the Sun

Research Article by The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine: Sunscreen and Melanoma: Is Our Prevention Message Correct?

Research from PubMed: The Protective Role of Melanin Against UV Damage in Human Skin

Want to shop better?

I recently shared a post about how I shop for cleaner products – you can read that here. If you’re looking for a better-for-you sunscreen, that’s a great place to start.

More on wellness?

You can explore more Wellness Wednesday posts here. I share about everything from reducing toxin load to what’s actually worth buying for your family.

Because building a well-designed life starts with knowing better and choosing better.