Debunking the Top 10 Sunscreen Myths

Sunscreen has become a hot topic on social media recently - particularly on TikTok - where some influencers have been spreading misinformation about the safety and usefulness of sunscreen.

We’re here to set the record straight and debunk the top 10 sunscreen myths!

Bottom line, sunscreen is, in fact, one of the best ways to prevent potentially deadly skin cancers like melanoma. 

Myth #1: Sunscreen is bad for you.

Fact: To answer this, we need to talk about the 2 types of sunscreen on the market.

• There are minerals sunscreens, which include active ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These reflect and scatter UV rays (like a shield).
  

• Then there are chemical sunscreens with active ingredients like oxybenzone and octisalate which absorb UV rays (like a sponge) and convert them into heat.

Mineral sunscreen ingredients have been deemed safe and effective by the FDA and Health Canada.

There is some debate about the safety of chemical sunscreen ingredients, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate as they have been shown to be absorbed into the bloodstream. This doesn’t mean they are bad, or good. It means more research is needed. If you have concerns, just stick to mineral sunscreen. 

It is worth noting that chemical sunscreens are popular because they absorb into the skin and don’t leave a noticeable residue like mineral sunscreens can. This makes it easier to use sunscreen every day and blend it with makeup and other skin care products. They are also more resistant to water and sweat than mineral sunscreen.

When it comes to sunscreen, the best one is the one that you’ll use regularly.

Myth #2: Skin cancer is a relatively new phenomenon in the last 60 years or so. 

Fact: Skin cancer didn’t emerge in the last 60 years. It has been recognized by scientists since at least 1804, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 

Myth #3: Sunscreen causes Vitamin D deficiency. 

Fact: Multiple studies have concluded that daily sunscreen use does not lead to vitamin D insufficiency. In fact, the prevailing studies show that people who use sunscreen daily can maintain their vitamin D levels.

If someone were deficient in Vitamin D, oral supplementation is recommended over sunlight exposure.

Myth #4: You need to build up your sun tolerance, or get a base tan,

Fact: Experts estimate that going out in the sun with a base tan is equivalent to wearing sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 3 to 4. This means the skin can be exposed to up to four times more sun before burning than without the base tan. 

Any tan is an indication of sun damage. Your skin is damaged by sun exposure over your lifetime, whether or not you burn.

Myth #5: You don’t need to wear sunscreen on cloudy days or in the winter.

Fact: Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate through clouds.

Bright white surfaces like snow can double your exposure to UV.  If you are skiing in the mountains, you will receive even more UV due to the elevation.

Myth #6: The SPF number doesn’t matter.

Fact: The SPF number tells you how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden your skin when using it versus the amount of time without any sunscreen. In other words, when wearing SPF 30, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen.

But, this is in a lab under ideal conditions. In real life, products with very high SPFs often create a false sense of security. People who use them tend to stay out in the sun much longer. They may skip reapplying. They end up getting a lot more UV damage, which, of course, defeats the purpose.

SYSF recommends a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for any extended outdoor activity. Regardless of the SPF, though, it’s important to apply one ounce 20 minutes before going outside and to reapply it every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.

Myth #7: Sunscreen is an endocrine disruptor.  

Fact: Some chemical sunscreens ingredients like oxybenzone have been shown to have non-statistical changes to hormone levels.

In a systematic review, researchers did not find strong evidence that oxybenzone or octinoxate cause poor health outcomes, but said more research is needed.  

Myth #8: My makeup has SPF in it so it should be enough to protect my skin.

Fact: This is debatable - it depends on how much SPF is in your makeup, the quantity of the product you’re using and whether or not you reapply it throughout the day. It might be okay for a winter's day when the UV index is low, however we always recommend using an actual face sunscreen before putting on your makeup. 

Myth #9: Sunscreen can be taken as a pill.

Fact: Both the American Academy of Dermatology and the FDA have stated that oral supplements should not be a replacement for sunscreen or sun-protective clothing. There is no scientific evidence that oral supplements alone can provide adequate sun protection. 

From what we’ve read about the most popular brands of oral sunscreen, they are antioxidants that are intended to complement your sunscreen lotion or spray, not replace it. 

Myth #10: People with dark skin tones don’t need sunscreen. 

Fact: Sun damage — including sunburn — happens no matter what colour the skin. While people of colour may have more melanin in their skin, it is not enough to prevent UV damage. Furthermore, while skin cancer is less common in people of colour, it is often diagnosed at a later stage and has a worse prognosis. 

Sources:

1. https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/

2. The history of sunscreen. (2015). Arts, History, and Humanities of Dermatology. 72(5), . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.02.121

3. Swati Kannan, Henry W. Lim. (2013). Photoprotection and vitamin D: a review. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 30(2-3), 53-174. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12096

4. Brummitte Dale Wilson, MD, Summer Moon, MD, and Frank Armstrong, DO. (2012) Comprehensive Review of Ultraviolet Radiation and the Current Status on Sunscreens. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 5(9), 18–23. PMCID: PMC3364536

5. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/weather-health/uv-index-sun-safety/seasons.html
   

6. https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-does-a-high-spf-protect-my-skin-better/

7. Suh S, Pham C, Smith J, Mesinkovska NA. (2020) The banned sunscreen ingredients and their impact on human health: a systematic review. Int J Dermatol. 59(9), 1033-1042. PMCID: PMC7648445.