Benzene is not an ingredient in sunscreens and was found in recalled products due to contamination during manufacturing process.
Sun exposure is a leading cause of skin cancer.
Sunscreens work by forming a protective coating on the skin that absorbs UV radiation from the sun.
The American Academy of Dermatology advises applying sunscreen every day on skin not covered by clothing if you will be outside.
In recent times, a new trend has emerged on social media platforms such as TikTok, where influencers are spreading misinformation about sunscreen and its link to cancer. This anti-sunscreen movement falsely claims that sunscreens are harmful and even cause cancer. However, numerous studies have debunked these myths.
Sun exposure is a leading cause of skin cancer, and the use of sunscreen is an essential preventative measure against this disease. Sunscreens work by forming a protective coating on the skin that absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun before it penetrates and causes damage.
Despite this well-established fact, some people believe that certain sunscreens contain harmful ingredients like benzene, which is a known carcinogen. However, there is no medical evidence to support this claim. Benzene is not an ingredient in sunscreens and was found in recalled products due to contamination during the manufacturing process.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises applying sunscreen every day on skin not covered by clothing if you will be outside, while Australia's updated sun safety guidelines suggest finding a balance between the risks and benefits of sun exposure. Mild redness or even a tan indicates damage to the skin.
It is crucial to separate fact from fiction when it comes to sunscreen and cancer. The anti-sunscreen trend is not based on scientific evidence, and ignoring this essential preventative measure can lead to severe health consequences.
Johnson & Johnson recalled several sunscreens due to the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen.
Benzene is not a sunscreen ingredient and was found in such low levels that it would not be expected to cause health problems.
One in seven adults under 35 years old believe sunscreen is more harmful to the skin than direct sun exposure.
There is clear-cut evidence of the link between UV radiation exposure and skin cancer, but age, gender and phenotype also play a role in risk.
Males are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer as are people with blonde or red hair, light skin or light eyes. Sunburns are caused by damage from the sun’s UV rays.
A tan is visible evidence of skin injury and exposes the skin to high levels of UVA radiation, which is linked to both skin cancer and accelerated aging.
Social media has become rife with misinformation about sunscreen spread by well-meaning but overall uninformed individuals.
Accuracy
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The article does a good job of debunking misinformation about sunscreen and skin cancer, but it does include some inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It scores lower because it includes examples of both fallacies.
This stems from a 2021 recall of Neutrogena spray sunscreens and one Aveeno product (Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen) due to the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen. Johnson & Johnson officials confirmed that benzene is not a sunscreen ingredient, according to a Harvard Medical School advisory in Oct. 2021.
Many Americans (32%) also believe that a tan makes people look better and healthier, the survey found.
Social media expert Eric Dahan, founder of Mighty Joy, said she believes social media has become rife with misinformation about sunscreen.
This phenomenon taps into the public’s growing distrust of companies due to the proliferation of harmful chemicals in consumer products.
There has also been a rise in cancer rates among young people, Dahan mentioned, which further drives a healthy distrust of companies and government regulators.
Sunscreen works by forming a coating that absorbs ultravasive-beta (UVB) radiation from the sun before it penetrates the skin.
Light-skinned people only need about 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure on the face, arms, and legs a few times a week to get all the vitamin D they need.
People with darker skin may require up to 30 minutes more sun exposure for adequate vitamin D production.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) instructs people to apply sunscreen every day on skin not covered by clothing if they will be outside.
Australia’s sun safety guidelines were recently updated to align with the premise that some sunscreen-free time in the sun has benefits, primarily regarding vitamin D exposure.
Dermatologists suggest finding a balance between the risks and benefits of sun exposure, ideally with benefits outweighing risks.
Mild redness and even a tan indicate sun damage to the skin.
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The article presents conflicting opinions about the necessity of using sunscreen and discusses the benefits of vitamin D production from sunlight. While it does mention that dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen every day if you will be outside, it also quotes people who argue against this strict approach and suggest that some sun exposure without sunscreen may be beneficial. This selective reporting creates a false balance and implies that the decision to use sunscreen is not clear-cut, which can mislead readers. Additionally, the article does not disclose any sources for the quotes or opinions presented.
The AAD disagrees with this thinking, according to the article in The Atlantic. A spokesperson told Jacobsen that ‘because ultravavitamin D synthesis and for your mood.’ While he thinks it’s unnecessary to apply sunscreen before exposure to very short bursts of sunshine, such as a quick walk to your car, whether you should go outside without sunscreen for more prolonged periods is a more complicated question.
Some people, such as reality star Kristin Cavallari, have raised the idea that we don’t need to use sunscreen at all.
His May 10 article in The Atlantic titled ‘Against Sunscreen Absolutism’ largely centers on Australia’s sun safety guidelines, which were recently updated to align with the premise that some sunscreen-free time in the sun has benefits, primarily regarding vitamin D exposure.
The anti-sunscreen movement is a trend promoting the belief that sunscreen is not necessary and may even cause cancer.
Some people believe that certain sunscreens contain carcinogens, such as benzene.
There is no medical evidence to suggest that sunscreen causes cancer.
Accuracy
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Deception
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The article contains several examples of deception through selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The authors present the anti-sunscreen movement as a valid trend without providing any evidence to support the claims made by influencers that sunscreen causes cancer or is linked to cancer. They also fail to mention that these claims have been debunked by medical professionals, such as Dr. Anisha Patel from MD Anderson Cancer Center. The authors also use emotional manipulation by implying that people are being 'pawns' if they use sunscreen and suggesting that the sun is not the cause of cancer but rather a person's diet. Furthermore, they provide no evidence to support this claim.
For more on this, watch the video from Dr. Keith Kimberlin below.
The anti-sunscreen trend started after prominent doctors all over social media began claiming that certain sunscreens and the ingredients used can be linked to cancer.
Gubba Homestead is another prominent anti-sunscreen supporter, taking to social media to warn followers not to be ‘a pawn’ when it comes to SPF.
Fallacies
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The article does not contain any explicit logical fallacies. The authors present information from both sides of the debate about sunscreen and provide expert opinions to clarify misconceptions. However, there are some instances of inflammatory rhetoric used by influencers like Gubba Homestead, which can be considered a potential appeal to emotion.
“I don’t wear sunscreen, and I never will. We blame the sun for cancer when we should be blaming our diets.”
“Sunscreen and a poor diet will make you sick.”
Bias
(95%)
The authors present the anti-sunscreen movement as a valid trend and quote influencers who claim that sunscreen is not necessary and may even cause cancer. They also provide no evidence to contradict these claims, instead relying on a dermatologist's statement that there is no medical evidence to suggest sunscreen causes cancer. The authors do mention that some sunscreens have been found to contain carcinogens, but they fail to clarify that these contaminated products have been removed from the market.
Gubba Homestead is another prominent anti-sunscreen supporter, taking to social media to warn followers not to be ‘a pawn’ when it comes to SPF. ‘I don’t wear sunscreen, and I never will. We blame the sun for cancer when we should be blaming our diets.’
Other famous figures, including Laguna Beach and reality TV star Kristin Cavallari, have jumped on the anti-sunscreen movement.
The anti-sunscreen trend started after prominent doctors all over social media began claiming that certain sunscreens and the ingredients used can be linked to cancer.
A dangerous new anti-sunscreen movement is spreading on social media platforms like TikTok that falsely links sunscreen use with cancer.
Skin cancer diagnoses have been increasing due to factors such as an aging population, increased recreational sun exposure, and increased awareness and diagnosis.
Using tanning beds increases the risk of melanoma.
People with certain risk factors, such as a history of excessive sun exposure or weakened immune system, are at a higher risk for all types of skin cancer.
Mineral-based sunscreens consist of naturally occurring mineral ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide and are less likely to cause rash or skin irritation compared to chemical-based sunscreens.
Avoiding activities outside during peak sun hours from 10 am to 3 pm can help protect against the sun’s damaging effects.
In addition to sunscreen, other measures like wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses can help protect from the sun.
