For decades, sunscreen has been pitched as a must have for adults and children before sun exposure.  Despite the huge push for the use of sunscreen the chemicals in the product were never tested for safety.

“For many years I have been aware that the chemicals in sunscreen were dangerous to the human body and that they could pose several serious health risks” says Denver bioidentical hormones expert Dr. Joseph Agnello. It is only in recent times that scientists have come to the conclusion that the chemicals in the sunscreen might actually be increasing the incidence of cancer. In addition, they have also found that sunlight exposure may in fact decrease human cancer rates and promote higher levels of health.  The reason that sunscreen chemicals could pose a danger is not difficult to comprehend.

Sunscreen chemicals absorb UV rays and then generate large amounts of free radicals; the free radicals created are believed to be responsible for the increase in cancers. In addition, some of the chemicals found in sunscreen actually have strong estrogenic properties that may cause an increase in cancers, serious problems in sexual development and dysfunctional sexual function.

Some of the most commonly found chemicals in sunscreen are:

Parabens- known as “endocrine disruptors”, these chemicals mimic estrogen, upset hormone balance and can cause various reproductive cancers in men and women

PABA- attacks DNA and causes genetic mutation when exposed to sunlight

Mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum- clogs pores trapping in toxins, slows skin cell growth, disrupts normal hormone function and is suspected to cause cancer

Sodium laurel- lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate- when combined with other chemicals it becomes nitrosamine, a powerful cancer causing agent

Phenol carbolic acid- causes circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsion, coma, death from respiratory failure

Acrylamide- known to cause breast cancer

Octyl-methoxycinnamate- kills skin cells

Toluene- cause anemia, low blood count, liver and kidney damage, and birth defects

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