Staying Sun Smart this Summer for Lipedema, Lymphedema & Cancer Survivors: Why EWG®-Verified Products Matter

Summer is the perfect time to get outside, but for those living with lipedema, lymphedema, or recovering from cancer treatment, protecting your skin is about much more than avoiding a sunburn—it's an important part of protecting your lymphatic health.

Your skin is your body's first line of defense. Sunburns, insect bites, and skin irritation trigger inflammation, increasing the amount of fluid your lymphatic system must manage. For individuals with lymphedema, this can increase the risk of swelling and even cellulitis, while those with lipedema may notice increased tenderness, heaviness, or discomfort.

That's why I recommend choosing EWG®-Verified sunscreens and bug sprays whenever possible. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) verifies products that meet strict standards for ingredient safety and transparency, helping consumers avoid many chemicals linked to potential health concerns.

One reason this is especially relevant for the lipedema community is hormones. Lipedema is widely recognized as a hormonally influenced disease, often developing or progressing during puberty, pregnancy, pregnancy, and menopause.

Researchers are investigating the role of estrogen signaling in lipedema, while separate research has shown that some ingredients commonly found in conventional personal care products—such as parabens, phthalates, and certain chemical UV filters like oxybenzone—can act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), meaning they may interfere with normal hormone signaling.

Although there is no evidence that these chemicals cause lipedema, reducing unnecessary exposure may be a sensible part of a comprehensive wellness plan to support hormonal and lymphatic health.

Sun Protective Clothing

In addition to sunscreen, don't overlook sun-protective clothing.

Clothing with a UPF 50+ rating provides reliable UV protection without needing reapplication.

Lightweight long-sleeve shirts, wide-brim hats, UV-blocking sleeves, and sunglasses are excellent options—especially for anyone with lymphedema, sensitive post-radiation skin, or prolonged outdoor exposure.

My Favorite Skin Protection Picks

For sunscreen, I recommend mineral-based formulas that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. Some excellent options include:

• Blue Lizard® Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen

• Badger® Active Mineral Sunscreen

• COOLA® Mineral Body Sunscreen

For bug protection, look for EWG®-Verified options such as:

• Badger® Anti-Bug Spray

• Nantucket Spider® Bug Repellent

• Murphy's Naturals® Lemon Eucalyptus Spray

5 More Summer Lymphatic Wellness Tips

1. Wear UPF 50+ clothing whenever possible.

2. Apply a mineral, EWG®-Verified sunscreen daily.

3. Use bug spray to help prevent insect bites and skin irritation.

4. Stay hydrated and moisturize daily to keep your skin healthy.

5. Wear your prescribed compression garments and seek shade during peak afternoon sun.

Small choices add up. While no single product can prevent lipedema progression or lymphedema flares, protecting your skin, minimizing unnecessary chemical exposures, and reducing inflammation are simple habits that help support your lymphatic system all summer long.

Remember, perfection isn’t the goal. Every small swap toward cleaner ingredients is one more way to reduce your body’s overall inflammatory and chemical burden while protecting your skin.

References

International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Lipedema and the Potential Role of Estrogen in Excessive Adipose Tissue Accumulation (2021).

Current Opinion in Toxicology. Unveiling Endocrine Disruptors in Personal Care Products (2026).