First, a fear is created. Then, a solution is sold.

And often, the solution introduces a new set of problems that keeps the cycle going.

Sun care is a perfect example.

For years we’ve been told the sun is something to fear. As long as that message sticks, we’ll keep buying whatever promises protection.

We’re told sunscreen is protecting us, all while exposing us to chemicals that can disrupt our hormones — issues that eventually become someone else’s business to treat. 

Toups isn’t afraid of the sun, or the fear tactics used by “Big Sunscreen.” In this blog, you’ll learn:

• Why your body needs sunlight

• Chemicals to avoid and their risks

• Considerations for breastfeeding moms

• The difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen

• Safer alternatives that perform just as well

 

Why Your Body Needs Sunlight

Before we talk about sunscreen, it’s important to understand why avoiding the sun entirely isn’t the solution.

Sun exposure, when done responsibly, supports several essential functions in the body:

• Vitamin D production — Vitamin D is created when sunlight interacts with cholesterol in the skin. It supports bone health, hormone balance, and immune function.

• Mood and mental health — Sunlight helps regulate serotonin levels, which are linked to improved mood and emotional wellbeing.

• Healthy sleep cycles — Exposure to natural light during the day helps regulate circadian rhythms, which influence how well we sleep at night.

• Immune support — Vitamin D and natural light exposure both play roles in supporting immune system health.

In other words, the goal shouldn’t be avoiding the sun completely. The goal is safe, smart exposure and protection when you need it.

 

The Real Problem: What’s in Most Sunscreens

If the sun itself isn’t the problem, what is?

For many families — especially breastfeeding mothers — the real concern is chemical sunscreen ingredients that are absorbed into the body.

Many conventional sunscreens rely on chemical UV filters such as:

• Oxybenzone

• Octinoxate

• Octisalate

• Octocrylene

• Homosalate

• Avobenzone
  
  

Chemicals Found in Breast Milk & Bloodstream

Research has shown these ingredients don’t stay on the surface of the skin.

Studies published by the FDA found that several of these chemicals are systemically absorbed into the bloodstream after typical sunscreen use. They can also remain detectable on the skin and in the body weeks after application.

Researchers have even detected sunscreen ingredients in:

• Breast milk

• Urine samples

• Blood plasma
  
  

For breastfeeding mothers, that raises questions about what’s being transferred to their babies.

Risk of Endocrine Disruption

There’s also growing concern about endocrine-disrupting effects from some of these ingredients — particularly oxybenzone and octinoxate. 

European regulators have already limited how much of these chemicals can be used in sunscreen formulas. In the United States, manufacturers are still allowed to use these ingredients at higher levels than those permitted in Europe.

 

Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen

Sunscreens generally fall into two categories: chemical and mineral. The difference is how they protect your skin.

Chemical Sunscreens

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat within the skin.

The downside is that the active ingredients often penetrate the skin barrier, which is why they can later be detected in the bloodstream and other bodily systems.

Mineral Sunscreens

Mineral sunscreens work differently.

Instead of absorbing UV radiation, they sit on the surface of the skin and physically reflect or scatter UV rays.

Mineral sunscreen has long been considered a safer option for sensitive skin and for people seeking to reduce chemical exposure.

It’s also widely regarded as reef-safe, making them a more environmentally responsible choice as well.

Why Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Matters

Not all mineral sunscreen is created equal, though.

Some formulas use nano-sized particles of zinc oxide. These particles are extremely small — small enough that some researchers believe they may penetrate the skin barrier.

Non-nano zinc oxide are larger particles that remain on the surface of the skin. This approach helps ensure the protection stays where it belongs — on the skin, not inside the body.

 

Common Sense Sun Care

“Ancestral wisdom” has always been a tenant of Toups. Some things just make sense — like the fact that humans didn’t evolve under fluorescent lights. We evolved outside, under the sun. Sunlight is part of how our bodies regulate mood, sleep, immunity, and vitamin D production.

Living by “ancestral” standards in a modern world involves hours of research and second-guessing ourselves when our instincts are at odds with the norm. 

We give you permission to listen to that instinct.

 

References 

EWG. “The Trouble with Ingredients in Sunscreens.” Ewg.org, 2008, www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/.