You wear sunscreen to protect your skin. But what if the kind you’re using is doing more harm than good?
At Superior Health & Wellness Clinic in Wethersfield, CT, we take a functional medicine approach to all aspects of health — including skincare. Many commercial sunscreens contain ingredients that disrupt your hormones, accumulate in your body, and interfere with your long-term wellness.
Let’s talk about why this matters, and what you can do to protect both your skin and your hormones.
What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with your body’s natural hormone function. They can:
- Mimic hormones like estrogen
- Block hormone receptors
- Alter hormone production or detoxification
- Disrupt thyroid and reproductive function
These effects are subtle at first — but over time, they can contribute to symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- PMS or irregular periods
- Acne or oily skin
- Low libido
- Fertility struggles
- Thyroid dysfunction
Your skin is your largest organ, and what you put on it matters.
Common Sunscreen Ingredients That Disrupt Hormones
The majority of conventional sunscreens rely on chemical UV filters that are absorbed through the skin — and straight into the bloodstream. Here are five of the most common offenders:
1. Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
This chemical mimics estrogen and is linked to lower testosterone and thyroid disruption. It’s so readily absorbed that it has been found in breast milk, urine, and blood samples.
2. Octinoxate
Known to interfere with estrogen and progesterone balance, and may also disrupt thyroid function.
3. Homosalate
This one doesn’t just mimic estrogen — it also increases the absorption of other chemicals through the skin.
4. Octocrylene
Forms benzophenone, a potential carcinogen. It also generates free radicals that damage cells and disrupt mitochondrial function.
5. Fragrance (Parfum)
Often includes phthalates, which are linked to reduced testosterone, menstrual irregularities, and developmental issues in children.
How Does This Affect Your Hormones?
When your body is constantly exposed to these hormone disruptors — especially daily through sunscreen — it can create imbalances that affect your:
- Thyroid function
- Estrogen-to-progesterone ratio
- Testosterone levels
- Insulin sensitivity
- Menstrual cycles
Even more concerning? These effects are compounded by other exposures — like plastics, pesticides, and synthetic cosmetics.
For women in midlife, the added burden can make perimenopause and menopause symptoms worse.
Why It’s Especially Important for Kids and Teens. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals.
Their endocrine systems are still developing. Their skin absorbs more per body weight.
They have longer lifespans ahead — meaning more cumulative exposure.
At our clinic in Wethersfield, we recommend chemical-free sunscreens for all ages, especially for pregnant women, infants, and teens.
What To Use Instead – The safest alternative?
Mineral-based sunscreens that use:
- Non-nano zinc oxide
- Non-nano titanium dioxide
These natural minerals create a physical barrier that reflects the sun’s rays — rather than being absorbed into the skin. They’re also:
- Safe for hormones
- Safe for reefs
- Less irritating for sensitive skin
Want help choosing one? Ask us for a list of our favorite clean, mineral-based products.
Detox Support for Hormone Health, Avoiding toxic sunscreen is a great first step.
But if you’ve been exposed for years, your body may need extra support to clear these hormone-disrupting chemicals.
Here’s what we recommend at Superior Health & Wellness Clinic:
✅ Cruciferous vegetables – like broccoli, cauliflower & kale (support estrogen detox)
✅ Daily fiber – helps bind and eliminate toxins through your gut
✅ Water – flushes waste through your kidneys and lymphatic system
✅ Sweat – regular movement or infrared sauna supports excretion
✅ Supplement support – think calcium-D-glucarate, milk thistle, and NAC
Want to know what’s best for your body?
We offer personalized testing and protocols to guide you.
The Bottom Line
You deserve sunscreen that protects your skin without harming your hormones.
Here’s what we want you to remember:
- Most conventional sunscreens contain chemicals that disrupt your hormone balance.
- These ingredients are absorbed through your skin and can show up in blood and breast milk.
- Non-toxic, mineral-based sunscreen is safer for your body and your family.
- Supporting detox pathways helps your body clear what it’s already been exposed to.
This is one small but powerful way to protect your skin, hormones, and long-term health — and we’re here to help.
Sources
Krause et al. (2012) – “Sunscreens: are they beneficial for health? An overview of endocrine disrupting activity in UV filters.” Environment International.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22458914/
Suzuki et al. (2005) – “Estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities of UV filters.” Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15949458/
Schlumpf et al. (2008) – “Endocrine activity and developmental toxicity of cosmetic UV filters.” International Journal of Andrology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19094799/
Butt et al. (2021) – “Occurrence and behavior of benzophenone-type UV filters in the environment and human exposure.” Chemosphere.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34082160/
Swan et al. (2005) – “Decrease in anogenital distance among male infants with prenatal phthalate exposure.” Environmental Health Perspectives.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15743728/
