Sunscreen Misinformation on TikTok
Sunscreen videos are trending on TikTok, but a recent study reveals that the most popular ones often spread misinformation. According to research published in the journal Plos Digital Health, misleading content is more engaging than accurate information.
Researchers at the University of Alberta examined TikTok videos under the five most popular sunscreen-related hashtags. They found that while 87% of the nearly 1,000 videos promoted sunscreen use, the most engaging ones contained significant inaccuracies.
This misinformation included claims like “sunburns aren’t dangerous,” and even assertions that sunscreen could be toxic. Lead study author, Alessandro Marcon, pointed out that some videos mentioned that sunscreen could disrupt hormones or be cancer-causing and could even contaminate breast milk or contain microplastics.
Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, expressed his frustration about the need to clarify the actual benefits of sunscreen during consultations. He emphasized that using sunscreen does not cause skin cancer or lead to vitamin D deficiency, although that myth circulates widely on social media.
Rossi noted that extensive research supports the idea that regular sunscreen use does not result in vitamin D deficiency. He pointed out that many misconceptions center around “chemical” sunscreens, which use filters to absorb harmful UV rays, while mineral sunscreens block these rays.
The study’s authors emphasized that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that widely used ingredients in chemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone, pose health risks. Dr. Molly Hales, a dermatologist and researcher, echoed this, highlighting that both types of sunscreen ingredients undergo strict FDA safety regulations.
Marcon acknowledged concerns about microplastics, pervasive in daily life, but stated that sunscreen does not expose users to levels higher than those found in other sources.
This isn’t the first study to link social media with misguided perceptions of sunscreen. In a separate survey, one-third of Gen Z participants failed the American Academy of Dermatology’s sun safety assessment, attributing their limited knowledge to social media influences.
Dr. Marisa Garshick, another dermatologist, noted that much of the misinformation can be traced back to influencers promoting flawed ideas about sunscreen. She observed a rise in skin cancer cases, particularly basal and squamous cell cancers, among younger patients, which she found alarming.
Many new patients are surprised to learn about the recommendation to apply sunscreen daily, even when not engaging in outdoor activities. Garshick encourages individuals to choose the sunscreen that works best for them, whether mineral or chemical, and mentioned that new options will soon be available in the U.S. following FDA approval of the UV filter bemotrizinol.
Marcon advised social media users to critically evaluate health information received from these platforms. “When a message is tied to a product for sale, take caution,” he cautioned, adding that audiences should be wary of content that evokes extreme emotions, particularly fear, and that promotes fringe ideas or political agendas rather than founded scientific consensus.
