What is Up with the Anti-Sunscreen Movement?

We all know the importance of wearing sunscreen daily. Apart from shielding you against harmful UV rays, it also prevents sunburn, slows skin aging, and lowers your risk of skin cancers. While the effects may not be visible immediately, it will pay off in the long run, saving you from years of damage and other skin issues later. 

A growing number of “influencers”, however, are making a case against SPF, claiming that sunscreen is toxic. They are encouraging people to make their own versions of SPF or just enjoy the healing benefits of natural sunlight. Continue reading as we learn more about this movement and what other harmful messages this trend is advocating for.  

What is the anti-sunscreen movement?

As its name suggests, the “anti-sunscreen” movement is a popular social media trend that encourages people to stop using sunscreen. The proponents of this trend are claiming that using SPF blocks the production of vitamin D and that natural sunlight exposure is essential for optimal health. 

James Middleton, a British personal trainer with about 250,000 followers on Instagram, is one of the leaders/defenders of this worrying trend. Last year, he urged people to ditch sunscreen, declaring that the product is only created to prevent people from getting the essential vitamin D people need from sunlight. 

On Twitter, he said “high levels of vitamin D make it almost impossible to develop an autoimmune disease”. And on his Instagram account, he said, “Think about it for a minute. They (pharmaceutical companies and health authorities) need you to believe that the sun is bad.”

Middleton is not a dermatologist, oncologist, or immunologist. Many of his followers, however, applaud him for spreading these misconceptions about SPF that were solely created to sell more sunscreens. Other influencers believe this and follow this trend, and continue to spread misinformation.

What worrying messages are the anti-sunscreen influencers peddling?

The #toxicsunscreen on TikTok has millions of views and contains clips of people urging others to throw away their toxic sunscreen and making claims that sun exposure does not cause skin cancer. 

There are also other online communities who spread the same misinformation arguing that people a hundred-plus years ago did not use SPF and were never diagnosed with skin cancers. Some of the other messages this movement is spreading include:

• Sunlight isn’t toxic, but sunscreen is.
• Skin does better when exposed to sunlight.
• The use of sunscreen can make you ill.
• Sunscreens have “toxic” ingredients (carcinogens) that can get into your bloodstream.
• Make your own sunscreen using mayonnaise (not effective at all).
• Use coconut oil instead of sunscreen (also not effective in protecting the skin).

The truth about sun exposure and sunscreen

Our aesthetic clinic in Singapore will always say yes to sun protection and the use of sunscreen. Here we share some truth about sunlight exposure and negative issues surrounding the use of SPF products.

We all need a little sunshine

It is true that we all need sun exposure to help our body create essential vitamins, such as vitamin D. Sunlight is also known to increase serotonin in the brain, which is associated with improved mood. Too much of it, however, is also known to cause skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancers. 

For further reading: Here Comes the Sun: The Pros and Cons of Sunlight

Chemical sunscreens and benzene

The issue is commonly associated with chemical sunscreens, which get absorbed into the skin instead of creating a physical barrier on the top layer. Concerns have intensified due to contamination of benzene, which is considered a carcinogen. This caused many brands such as Banana Boat, Neutrogena, Aveeno, and Coppertone to recall some of their products in 2021.

The deal with oxybenzone

There has also been a concern about oxybenzone, a popular ingredient in chemical sunscreen. Some claimed that it causes cancer and is a hormone disruptor. There is, however, no conclusive evidence that oxybenzone is harmful to people. A 2017 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology also noted that it would take 277 years of product use to get the same systemic dose that produced side effects in rat studies. 

Sunscreens and skin cancer

There is no evidence that sunscreen causes skin cancer. What exists is a lot of medical evidence showing that UV rays from the sun and use of tanning beds cause cancer. If you are worried about chemical sunscreens getting absorbed by the skin, you can use physical or mineral sunscreen (usually containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). It is a sunblock that sits on the skin’s top layers and reflects UV rays. 

Make sun protection a priority

Sunscreen is a must every day, regardless of the weather. Our aesthetic clinic in Singapore recommends Dr. Sylvia’s Sunshield SPF 45, which is a lightweight and non-greasy face sunscreen. It offers UVA and UVB protection and has ingredients that help soothe and calm the skin. It is suitable for those with sensitive skin. 

Other sun protection measures to follow include: 

• Limit or avoid sun exposure during peak hours (between 10 am and 4 pm)
• Seek shade or use an umbrella.
• Accessorize with a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Use sun-protective clothing.
• Reapply sunscreen after two hours, particularly after sweating or swimming.

For further reading: 9 Ways to Up Your Sunscreen and Sun Protection Game

If there is one movement that you should be following, it should be making sun protection a priority. And if you have skin concerns related to photoaging or sun damage, don’t hesitate to contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore. Schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor and find out how we can help you achieve your beauty and skincare goals. 

Sources:

https://english.elpais.com/society/2023-07-17/sunscrevxen-is-toxic-the-new-conspiracy-theory-that-is-spreading-through-the-internet.html

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/anti-sunscreen-influencers-misinformation-1234782601/