Dermatologist Warns Us TikTok's Anti-Sunscreen Movement Is Putting You At Risk

It's not unheard of that influencers can be sources of misinformation, but luckily, people are usually aware that trusting strangers on the internet is a bad choice. However, every now and then, a new trend emerges that leaves us scratching our heads, and that's precisely the case with the current anti-sunscreen movement. The trend, which simply involves skipping sunscreen entirely, is not only riddled with misinformation but also dangerous, as it can result in health risks like sun damage and even cancer.

I don't wear sunscreen, and I never will.

We blame the sun for cancer when we should be blaming our diets.

But if we cleaned up our diets, how would Big Food and Big Pharma make their money?

Sunscreen and a poor diet will make you sick.

Sick people = $$$

Don't be a pawn. pic.twitter.com/bOa2aNSBqE

— Gubba Homestead (@GubbaHomestead) March 28, 2024

Anti-sunscreen influencers like Gubba Homestead are sharing videos such as the one above to thousands — and even millions — of viewers. "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," she captioned the video, which has more than 1.2 million views. 

According to data obtained by Glam, Google searches for "Does sunscreen cause cancer" and "What causes cancer in sunscreen" have risen by 160% and 70%, respectively, in the past 30 days. What's even more concerning is that searches for "free skin cancer screening near me" and "How do I know if I have skin cancer" have risen by 400% and 250%, respectively, potentially meaning the trend's already doing damage. With summer just around the corner and May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we asked Dr. Mariano Busso, a Beverly Hills and Miami-based board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, what he thinks about this social media trend.

Quite a few content creators have been claiming that there's no proof that the sun can cause skin cancer. In fact, the hashtag #nosunscreen has over 11.7 million views on TikTok, with some TikTokers going as far as to say that one's diet is more likely to cause skin cancer than the sun. Perhaps the most famous celebrity who's admitted to not wearing sunscreen is "Laguna Beach" star Kristin Cavallari, who opened up about her no-sunscreen views to a holistic doctor on an episode of her podcast, "Let's Be Honest."

For our readers, Dr. Mariano Busso clarified why believing in this type of information is something doctors wouldn't recommend. "In general, seeking health and medical advice from content creators is not a sound way of ascertaining accurate and reliable information and, in fact, can be dangerous," he exclusively tells Glam. "Case in point is this misguided claim. Fact is that using sunscreen has been scientifically studied and proven to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, including both UVB and UVA rays. By not using sunscreen, you are greatly increasing your odds of sun cancer, which is the most prevalent form of the disease." That's not all, though. Dr. Busso reminds us that going sans sunscreen increases your chance of your skin aging faster, making you look older than you are.

Knowing the benefits of protecting your skin from the sun certainly makes the fact that the #NoSunscreenGang has over 131.0k views on TikTok sound unreal, but it seems that plenty not only believe the sun doesn't cause skin cancer but also that sunscreen does.

A major aspect of the anti-sunscreen movement is that many believe sunscreen to be one of the major causes of skin cancer. Of course, sunscreen has been advertised as an effective way to fight skin cancer, which makes the 60% increase in Google searches for the phrase "sunscreen that causes cancer" in the last 30 days concerning.

Dr. Mariano Busso clarified for us that sunscreen doesn't cause cancer, explaining that this has long been a topic of discussion in the scientific world. "This contention has been studied and debunked," he exclusively tells Glam. However, Dr. Busso adds that those who want to go a more natural route can avoid chemical sunscreen and opt for a physical one: "For those who worry that the chemicals used in sunscreen are somehow dangerous, stick to products containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as they cannot be absorbed by the skin."

One ingredient that has been in the sunscreen spotlight is octinoxate, whose Google searches have gone up by 140% in the last week. The effects of octinoxate on humans haven't been researched much; gowever, its effects on marine ecosystems have been well-studied, which is why many opt for sunscreens that don't contain it, especially if they plan on swimming in the sea.

Not wearing sunscreen is a personal choice, but it's not one recommended by skin experts who know how dangerous it is to skip out on SPF. That said, there are other ways to shield yourself from the sun even if you don't want to employ sunscreen. Clothing and hats are some of the best ways to fight the sun's harmful rays, and staying out of the summer heat during its peak hours — usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — is also a great way to prevent skin damage. 

However, there are differences in the risk of skin damage between individuals. "There is a greater risk of skin cancer among fairer-skin individuals, so those with blond or red hair, blue eyes, and/or freckles should be especially vigilant," Dr. Mariano Busso exclusively explains to Glam. "Since melanin is the substance in skin that gives it its color, those with dark skin have a greater level of protection against the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. It's important to know, however, that each of us, no matter our level of melanin, is at risk." And this means that if you don't believe in the benefits of sunscreen, you should at least protect yourself in other ways.

With Google searches for "difference between sunblock and sunscreen" rising by a whopping 1,050% in the last 30 days, it also seems necessary to explain how to choose the best sunscreen. Sunscreen works by screening UV rays — removing the UV rays like passing ingredients through a kitchen sieve — emitted by the sun, but sunblock, as its name suggests, actually blocks the rays by reflecting them. Sunblocks create a physical barrier, and because of this, they tend to be the better choice. However, both options get the job done.

But which level of SPF should you choose? "Sunscreens should contain an SPF of at least 30, which has been reported to block an estimated 97% of the sun's harmful rays," Dr. Mariano Busso exclusively tells us. "Products with higher SPFs do offer somewhat greater protection, but the effectiveness is negligible." And as far as application goes, reapplying your sunscreen is something you should do every two hours, especially if you're out during the sun's peak hours.

Ready to buy some sunscreen now? Take a look at our tips for finding the right sunscreen for your skin type.