Sunscreen, much like other consumer products and food, is plagued with questionable ingredients that are not fit for consumption or personal use. Sunscreen can often pose a safety concern, yet are deemed acceptable to use under production guidelines.

Sunscreen should not be your first line of defense; it should be part of your entire approach to protecting yourself, while also getting the holistic benefits that come from the sunlight.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• Why sun exposure matters
• What you really need to know about sunscreen
• Types of sunscreen applications
• Chemical versus mineral sunscreen
• How to get safe sun exposure and smart ways to protect yourself

Why Sun Exposure Matters

The sun, as a vital part of God’s creation, provides us not only with warmth and light but also plays a crucial role in our well-being. Should we really be shocked that the sun offers more benefits to our bodies than merely a summer tan?

Sunlight can:

• Lower your blood pressure by having the body release nitric oxide¹.
• Keep your circadian rhythm in check by making sure melatonin is produced/not produced during your day/night cycle².
• Increase your Serotonin (feel-good/happiness hormone) levels. May help decrease depression, anxiety, and SAD (seasonal affective disorder)³.
• Help prevent certain types of cancers⁴.
• Can balance your gut microbiome⁵

UV-B rays from sunshine are what our bodies use to produce vitamin D⁶. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that our bodies benefit from in many ways:

• Keeps your bones strong.
• Strengthens your immune system.
• Allows your body to process calcium.
• Has anti-inflammatory effects.

What Do You Need To Know About Sunscreen?

You need to find a broad-spectrum sunscreen that covers both UV-A rays and UV-B rays.

• UV-A rays cause premature skin aging, age spots.
• UV-B rays cause tanning and sunburn.

Also, pay attention to the SPF rating⁷; a higher SPF does not necessarily mean better protection and can give you a false sense of safety, allowing you to stay out longer than you would otherwise.

Breastfeeding mamas, make sure the ingredients in your sunscreen are safe for your baby, as ingredients can transfer through breast milk.

Types Of Sunscreen Applications

Lotion: Harder to apply, but safer than powder or aerosol due to respiratory irritant exposure. It can leave a sticky or greasy feeling on the skin.

Aerosol Spray: Easy application, but can be wasteful since not all of the product comes into contact with your skin. Not greasy or sticky on the skin compared to lotions or sticks. It can be a respiratory irritant.

Powder: Easier application, suitable for use in conjunction with makeup. It can be a respiratory irritant.

Stick: Easy application, may feel greasy or sticky compared to other options. Good for facial application.

Chemical Versus Mineral Sunscreen

Chemical Sunscreens:

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays before they can damage your skin. However, they get absorbed into the body and are linked to endocrine disruption, cancer, reproductive/developmental toxicity, organ toxicity, and skin irritation⁸. Chemical sunscreen ingredients have even been detected in breastmilk⁹. I know I don’t want myself or my baby exposed to unnecessary, harmful chemicals.

Although chemical sunscreens have been deemed safe by the FDA, long-term studies are limited to prove they do not cause harm.

Top Active Ingredients:

• Oxybenzone
• Octinoxate
• Octocrylene
• Avobenzone
• Homosalate
• Octisalate.

Looking for a healthier option? mineral sunscreens are the way to go!

Physical (Mineral):

Mineral sunscreens deflect UV rays like a shield before they can penetrate and harm the skin.

Ingredients labeled as nano, such as nano Zinc Oxide or nano Titanium Dioxide, are small enough that, although deemed safe for use, they can still cross the skin barrier based on particulate size. A good alternative is to look for non-nano Zinc Oxide and non-nano Titanium Dioxide.

Top active ingredients:

• Titanium Dioxide
• Zinc Oxide

These are the only two GRASE (Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective) sunscreen ingredients by the FDA¹⁰. 

How To Get Safe Sun Exposure And Smart Ways To Protect Yourself

For you:

• Stay out of the sun during the peak of the day.
• Wear clothing with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) built in.
• Wear a hat  
• If you will be out for an extended amount of time in direct sun, apply sunscreen every 2 hours.
• Use true shade options, like umbrellas, tents, or canopies. Trees don’t count as true shade since they still let filtered light through, and you can still burn while under them.

For Baby:

• Keep your baby out of direct sunlight to protect their sensitive skin.
• Dress baby in clothing with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) built in.
• Use a hat to keep sun off of your baby’s face
• If your baby is 6+ months and you will be out for an extended amount of time in direct sun, apply mineral sunscreen to your baby every 2 hours.
• Use true shade options, like umbrellas, tents, or canopies. Trees don’t count as true shade since they still let filtered light through, and you can still burn while under them.

This summer, no matter how you choose to protect yourself and your family, remember sunshine is essential! Soak it up, Have fun, be safe – The No Bull Mommy.

More information

Pipette Sunscreen – What my family and I use.

References

1. Queirós, Catarina Soares, and João Pedro Freitas. “Sun Exposure: Beyond the Risks.” Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, vol. 9, no. 4, Oct. 2019, pp. 249–52, https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.0904a01.
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2. “Circadian Rhythm – Light – Circadian Biology.” Circadian Biology, 24 Dec. 2024, www.circadianbiology.com/?page_id=71.
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3. Nall, Rachel. “What Are the Benefits of Sunlight?” Healthline, 1 Apr. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight
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4. van der Rhee, H. J., et al. “Regular Sun Exposure Benefits Health.” Medical Hypotheses, vol. 97, Dec. 2016, pp. 34–37, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2016.10.011. ↩︎
5. Ruscio, Michael. “How to Use the Power of Sun Exposure for Gut Health – Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC.” Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC, 22 Aug. 2023, www.drruscio.com/sun-exposure-for-gut-health/?.
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6. Nall, Rachel. “What Are the Benefits of Sunlight?” Healthline, 1 Apr. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight.
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7. EWG’s Guide. “The Trouble with SPF | EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens.” EWG.org, 2025, www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/whats-wrong-with-high-spf/.
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8. Ziff, A. “Safe Sun: Tips for Choosing a Safer Sunscreen.” MADE SAFE: A Program of Nontoxic Certified, 25 Apr. 2019, www.madesafe.org/blogs/viewpoint/safe-sun-tips-for-choosing-a-safer-sunscreen.
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9. Corrigendum. CHIMIA International Journal for Chemistry, vol. 62, no. 7, 2008, pp. 688–688, https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2008.345.
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10. Food and Drug Administration, and Health and Human Services. “Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-The-Counter Human Use.” Federal Register, 26 Feb. 2019, www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-03019/p-191. ↩︎