The Dangers of Chemical Sunscreens and the Importance of Sun Safety

We’ve all heard it: wear sunscreen to stay safe. But what if the very thing we’re told is protecting us is actually doing more harm than good? In this eye-opening solo episode, Darin Olien breaks down the dark truth behind conventional sunscreens—from hormone-disrupting chemicals and blocked vitamin D to reef destruction and dangerous misinformation.

Backed by scientific research and a passion for holistic wellness, Darin reveals how sunscreen has become a fatal convenience, lulling us into a false sense of safety while quietly impacting our health and the planet. If you’ve ever questioned the ingredients in your SPF—or the fear-based narrative around sun exposure—this episode is your wake-up call.

 

 

What You’ll Learn (Timestamps)

00:00 – Intro: Living your Super Life 03:18 – Why sunscreen is a fatal convenience 03:35 – Why it’s always summer somewhere—and why sunscreen matters 04:09 – The fatal convenience of sunscreen: blocking more than sun 05:32 – The 4 toxic sunscreen chemicals you need to avoid 06:11 – What your skin actually does when sunscreen is applied 06:39 – FDA’s shocking findings: 180x above safety after one application 07:50 – Hormonal chaos, fertility risks, birth outcomes & cancer 08:58 – Environmental damage: coral reefs, oceans, and beyond 09:57 – Blocking the sun = blocking your vitamin D and immunity 11:09 – Melanin, skin tone, and ancestral wisdom 13:12 – CDC confirms: communities of color are most at risk for low D 13:59 – Sponsor: Toothpaste tubes vs. Bite sustainable tablets 16:13 – Back to sunlight: nitric oxide and blood pressure health 16:49 – Nobel-winning research: sun lovers live longer 18:23 – Avoiding the sun = smoking-level mortality risk 19:09 – Global impact: sun exposure reduces stroke and heart disease 19:49 – What you can do: hats, smart exposure, mineral sunscreens 21:19 – Recommended brands: Mad Hippie, Goddess Garden, Badger 22:13 – If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin 22:37 – Final takeaway: don't fear the sun, fear what’s in your sunscreen 23:07 – Outro: Thanks for tuning in!

 

 

Thank You to Our Sponsor:

• Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

• Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.

 

 

Find More From Darin Olien:

• Website: darinolien.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Podcast: superlife.com

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

 

 

Studies and Reliable Sources where you can learn more:

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/ 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00244-015-0227-7 

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/sunscreen-ingredient-toxic-coral-reefs 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31058986/ 

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2759002 

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/sunscreens/what-you-need-to-know-about-sunscreen-ingredients-a2356353886/ 

https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/what-happened-waterproof-sunscreens 

https://www.draliabadi.com/womens-health-blog/potentially-bad-ingredients-in-sunscreen/ 

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20200121/fda-skin-absorbs-dangerous-sunscreen-chemicals

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/status-otc-rulemakings/rulemaking-history-otc-sunscreen-drug-

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-3732-8_82

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/

https://nepis.epa.gov/

 

Key Takeaway Quote

“The sun isn’t your enemy. The chemicals we’re using to block it might be. When you disrupt your body’s access to vitamin D and load up on hormone-disrupting compounds, the consequences go way beyond sunburn.” — Darin Olien