Most TikTok SPF Advice Is Right — But the Wrong Videos Go Viral
A study of 971 top sunscreen videos found anti-sunscreen content was rare — but it punched far above its weight in engagement.
A PLOS Digital Health analysis of 971 of the most-viewed TikTok sunscreen videos found anti-sunscreen content made up only about 6% of posts but drew disproportionately high engagement, and accuracy was largely unrelated to a video's popularity.
The study authors caution that engagement metrics do not track accuracy: misleading sunscreen content attracted proportionally high audience interaction, so viral reach should not be mistaken for credibility.
Questions we get a lot
Is sunscreen advice on TikTok accurate?
Mostly, yes. A PLOS Digital Health study of 971 top sunscreen videos found that anti-sunscreen content was only about 6% of posts. However, that minority drew disproportionately high engagement, so misinformation can feel more common than it is. A video's accuracy was largely unrelated to its popularity.
Does a viral skincare video mean the advice is good?
No. The PLOS Digital Health study found accuracy was largely unrelated to how popular a video was, and misleading content attracted high engagement. Treat virality as a sign of reach, not credibility. Cross-check claims against dermatology organizations and peer-reviewed sources.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'Half my FYP says sunscreen is toxic and the other half swears by it — how do I tell which videos to trust?'