There’s an anti-SPF movement currently flooding social media – here’s why it’s terrible (and dangerous) advice

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Credit: Getty

Beauty


There’s an anti-SPF movement currently flooding social media – here’s why it’s terrible (and dangerous) advice

By Chloe Burcham

10 months ago

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5 min read

Influencers are taking to social media claiming that sunscreen is toxic and causing cancer rates to rise. Here doctors and dermatologists weigh in…

Having worked in the beauty industry for more than a decade, it feels like an absolute no brainer to wear sunscreen every day. And while I might harp on about the importance of wearing a daily SPF to anyone that will listen, it now feels more relevant than ever – thanks to a worrying new trend on social media, advocating stopping the use of sunscreen. 

Take a quick scroll through social media and you’re bound to find an influencer promoting the use of “natural,” “clean,” or “non-toxic” beauty. But recently this anti-chemical rhetoric seems to have taken things a step further with people promoting not wearing SPF at all. 

The first video I discovered was via dermatologist Dr Cristina Psomadakis who recently shared a video, giving her commentary against a male influencer suggesting that we shouldn’t use sunscreen “because our grandparents never wore it.” The belief is that it is in fact sunscreen and “toxic” products that have led to the rise in health conditions and cancers – not UV exposure.

But it’s not just influencers on social media who are promoting anti-sunscreen use. Some celebrities have also shared their thoughts on wearing sunscreen – or lack thereof. Ex-The Hills star and podcaster Kristin Cavallari also shared her thoughts on her podcast Let’s Be Honest. 

Talking to functional and Eastern medicine practitioner Ryan Monahan, Cavallari revealed: “I don’t wear sunscreen and anytime I do an interview I get a lot of s**t when I admit that I don’t.” Monahan then goes on to share his belief that the rise in skin cancer cases correlates to sunscreen usage – not the advancement of scientific research, reporting, and longer life expectancy.

While it’s easy to eye-roll at these videos without giving them much airtime – the spreading of misinformation can be seriously damaging. More often than ever, I personally feel as though I am having to debunk these myths to friends and followers who share their strong views on “toxic beauty products” with me – and social media plays a massive part in that. 

“This anti-SPF message is extremely worrying because by encouraging people not to wear SPF you are putting them at risk of sun damage, sunburn, and skin cancer,” Dr Paul Banwell, a skin cancer expert and former Head of The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit, one of the largest skin cancer units in the UK tells Stylist. “Claiming that our grandparents were fine when not wearing SPF is not accurate, but rather it highlights the advancement of medical and scientific research, meaning we now know more about the impact that sun damage can have on our skin than ever before.” 

“There are around 2,300 melanoma skin cancer deaths in the UK every year, which accounts for more than six deaths per day,” explains Dr Banwell. Worryingly, that number is predicted to rise – with one of the latest studies from Cancer Research UK predicting that in the next 20 years, melanoma skin cancer numbers will increase by 50% in the UK. 

“Skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the UK and 16,000 cases are now diagnosed each year. I would always advise people to wear SPF no matter what the weather. I advocate daily use of sunscreen throughout the year,” Dr Banwell explains. 

This sentiment was shared at a recent press dinner I attended with Supergoop! founder Holly Thaggard. “If there was a cream we could apply everyday to protect ourselves from getting breast cancer – we would do it. So why don’t so many people apply sunscreen everyday?” she said. 

While it’s easy to convince a room of beauty editors that we should all be wearing daily sunscreen, when influencers and celebrities continue to perpetuate the myth that sunscreen is harmful, it’s easy to point fingers at consumers for falling for their rhetoric. 

“There’s no such thing as a toxic ingredient as it’s all about dose and concentration as well as surface area of application,” explains consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto. “The EU ensures we are not applying harmful ingredients to our skin so in a properly formulated product from a reputable company this shouldn’t be of concern.” 

Does sunscreen cause cancer?

While there are ever-increasing rates of skin cancer, experts argue that this is not linked to regular sunscreen usage. “There is no credible evidence to suggest that sunscreen causes cancer,” explains Dr Mahto. “In fact, regular use of sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists and public health authorities as part of a comprehensive sun protection strategy to reduce the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.”

“The rise of melanoma in the UK cannot be attributed to SPF usage,” she continues. “Melanoma incidence is influenced by various factors, including genetics, sun exposure history, tanning bed use and geographic location. While sunscreen use has increased over the years, it is just one aspect of sun protection and its benefits in preventing skin cancer are well-established.”

While misinformation online is rife – the responsibility doesn’t solely rest on individuals; governments and regulatory bodies also play a crucial role in ensuring that skincare products are marketed responsibly. The rise of the “clean beauty” movement, with its emphasis on non-toxic, natural, and organic products, has ultimately created a climate of fear around traditional skincare ingredients, including those found in sunscreen.

With ambiguous labelling and misleading marketing, it’s easy to see why people are often left feeling uncertain about what they’re putting on their bodies. Terms like “non-toxic” and “chemical-free” might sound appealing, but they often lack scientific basis and can lead to misinformation about the safety of well-researched skincare ingredients, including those that protect against sun damage.

Ultimately, we all want the same thing: safe and efficacious products. Which is why it’s more important than ever that governments and regulatory bodies step up to provide clearer guidelines and stricter enforcement of skincare product labelling. By holding brands accountable for their claims and ensuring that scientific evidence informs product marketing, we can empower consumers to make informed decisions about their skincare routines without falling victim to fear-based marketing tactics. The goal should be to prioritise both the safety and efficacy in skincare products, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the benefits of sun protection without fear or misinformation.

Images: Getty

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