Your 2026 Skin Resolution: The One Habit Dermatologists Beg You to Keep
New year, same sun: daily SPF is the highest-ROI resolution you'll make.
Orlando Health (2024): 14% of adults under 35 believe daily sunscreen is more harmful than sun exposure.
Orlando Health found about 1 in 7 adults under 35 think daily sunscreen is more harmful than sun exposure.
Frequently asked questions
Is sunscreen actually bad for you?
For the vast majority of people, no — major dermatology bodies consider sunscreen safe and effective, and the proven risks of unprotected UV (skin cancer, premature aging) are far greater. The FDA is studying how some chemical filters are absorbed, but absorption alone does not mean harm.
Does sunscreen cause cancer?
No credible evidence shows sunscreen causes cancer; the established science is that UV exposure causes skin cancer and sunscreen helps prevent it. The myth usually stems from misread filter-absorption studies or one-off benzene contamination findings (benzene is a manufacturing impurity, not a sunscreen ingredient).
Is DIY sunscreen safe?
No. Homemade sunscreens can't be reliably tested for SPF or even coverage, and ingredients like coconut oil or zinc stirred into a cream don't disperse evenly enough to protect skin. Dermatologists strongly advise against DIY sunscreen; use a regulated, lab-tested product.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'My FYP says sunscreen causes cancer — is any of that true?'
Sources & citations
- Orlando Health Cancer Institute / Ipsos survey, May 2024 (sunscreen perceptions)
- npr.org ↗