The Sunscreen Lie: How We Got It So Wrong About the Sun

Hello Trailblazers,

We’ve all heard it—“Don’t forget your sunscreen!” For decades, this has been the gospel of modern skin health. Entire generations were raised to believe the sun is our enemy and that SPF is our savior.

But what if that advice—repeated by dermatologists, health campaigns, and billion-dollar industries—was wrong?

Worse… what if it’s hurting you?

In this issue, we’re cracking open one of the most controversial health myths of our time: the idea that sunscreen protects you from cancer and the sun is something to fear. You’ll see why rates of skin cancer keep rising, even as sunscreen use climbs. You’ll discover what most sunscreens are really doing to your biology. And you’ll learn how to protect your skin without shutting off your light receptors or frying your hormones.

This isn’t just about sunburn. It’s about energy, mood, immunity—and truth.

Let’s pull back the curtain.

What’s broken: For decades, we've been told to fear the sun and cover ourselves with SPF at every turn. But what if that message was not only misleading—but dangerously wrong?

Why it matters: Your skin wasn’t designed to block light. It was designed to decode it. When we smear on chemical sunscreens daily, we’re not just blocking UV — we’re filtering out the full-spectrum sunlight our cells depend on. The result? A rise in chronic fatigue, hormonal issues, low immunity, and—ironically—skin cancer rates that keep climbing.

Here’s the paradox:
The more sunscreen we’ve used, the more melanoma rates have gone up—not down.

📈 The Data:

• Melanoma rates have tripled since the 1970s despite widespread sunscreen use.
  NIH Cancer Stats

• A 20-year Swedish study found that women who avoided the sun had a higher all-cause mortality risk—similar to smoking.
  Lindqvist et al., J Int Med, 2016

🧠 This isn’t about going sun-crazy. It’s about rethinking the story we’ve been sold—and looking at what real science says sunlight (and sunscreen) actually does to your biology.

What we missed—and how we measure the damage.

Let’s decode what most chemical sunscreens actually do:

❌ Block Healing Wavelengths

• Sunscreens don’t just block UVB (Vitamin D synthesis).
  They also filter out red and near-infrared light—wavelengths shown to protect skin, reduce inflammation, and reverse mitochondrial dysfunction.
  📚 Hamblin, 2017 – Photobiomodulation

❌ Introduce Hormone Disruptors

• Oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate are found in most commercial sunscreens.
  These absorb through the skin and have been detected in blood, breast milk, and urine—and they disrupt endocrine function.
  📚 FDA Sunscreen Absorption Study, 2019
  📚 EWG: Sunscreen Chemicals & Hormones

❌ Fail to Prevent Cancer

• There is no conclusive evidence that sunscreen prevents melanoma.
  Some studies suggest it may even lead to more sunburns and deeper exposure to UV damage by giving a false sense of security.
  📚 Autier et al., Melanoma Risk & Sunscreen Use (Lancet, 1995)
  📚 Garland et al., Sunlight and Cancer

Here’s how to protect yourself—without blocking your biology.

✅ Reframe Sunlight as Nutrient

Stop treating the sun like radiation. Start treating it like information. The right light at the right time powers your skin, hormones, and mitochondria.

✅ Protect from Burn, Not Light

• Time your exposure:
  Start with morning and late afternoon light. Midday sun? Build up slowly.

• Avoid overexposure, not exposure.
  Listen to your body. Get sun-smart—not sun-scared.

✅ Use Light-Respecting Alternatives

• Mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) reflect instead of absorb—and don’t disrupt hormones.

✅ Audit Your Sunscreen

Run your SPF bottle through EWG’s Guide and ditch anything with:

• Oxybenzone

• Octinoxate

• Avobenzone

• Fragrance (often hides hormone-disrupting chemicals)

 The Curated List of Supplements, Tools & Sunscreens I Promised Last Week

Everything listed below is part of my personal light-powered protocol—handpicked to help you restore natural energy, support hormone health, and optimize sunlight’s full spectrum. 👉 Explore the full storefront here → 

Sunlight Tools

• UVB Solar Light Meter
  Know exactly when UVB is available for Vitamin D synthesis.

 Red Light Therapy

• Rhmip 45W LED Red/NIR Panel (660nm & 850nm)
  At-home photobiomodulation for muscle recovery and skin repair.

Mineral-Based Sunscreens

• Sky and Sol SPF 50
  Tallow-based, zinc-rich, and non-toxic — lets UVB in, blocks the burn.

• Waxhead SPF 30
  Enriched with vitamins D and E, reef-safe, biodegradable.

Nutritional Supplements

• Ancestral Supplements Grass-Fed Beef Liver
  A potent natural source of vitamin A, B12, iron, and energy cofactors.

• Astaxanthin (Double Wood, 12mg)
  Backed by 70+ clinical trials—protects skin from UV stress.

• Astaxanthin (Sports Research, 12mg + Coconut Oil)
  For skin, eye, and cellular health with enhanced absorption.

• Vitamin D3 + K2
  Supports immune, bone, and hormone health—ideal for low-sunlight seasons.

Lifestyle Enhancers

• Sunrise Alarm Clock
  Wake up with a simulated sunrise to reset your circadian rhythm.

• Full-Spectrum Daylight Bulbs
  Brighten your home with circadian-friendly indoor sunshine.

📱 App of the Week: D Minder — Tracks your ideal Vitamin D windows based on your location 

This week, you’re the experiment.
Try The Mito Morning Protocol daily others to restore energy, reduce inflammation, and improve sleep—powered purely by photons.

Please take a few minutes and let me know how you’re enjoying The Sunlight Fix. Simply, you can choose a letter from the poll below and hit reply. You answer will help me to be of better service to you.

««Please, hit reply to let me know your choice.»

Your personal optimization mechanic,

Roberto.

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