Great article. Thanks for sharing it. I haven’t worn sunscreen in years and am fairly skinned. I used coconut oil as a moisturizer and cover up when I feel that I’m starting to burn. I have some funky autoimmune response, so I’m eliminating as much exposure to toxic shit as I can. I do love the smell of Coppertone though.

Key takeaway.

Vitamin D is not optional for immune function. It is a core necessity, as it is the primary defense mechanism against abnormal cell growth. Thus, the chemical-based sunscreens found on store shelves across America—taking up roughly 58% of the market vs mineral-based sunscreens—don’t just block a tan (or harm coral reefs and broader marine life). Studies have shown they also impair one of our body’s core protective systems. “The existing evidence supports that sunscreen can impair vitamin D3 synthesis,” declares a meta-analysis from 2025.