Sunscreen and the 'Clean Beauty' Confusion
When 'natural' marketing collides with actual sun protection.
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.
Questions we get a lot
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.
Should I worry about benzene in sunscreen?
Benzene isn't a sunscreen ingredient — it's a contaminant detected in a limited number of products due to manufacturing issues, which prompted recalls. Its presence doesn't mean sunscreen is unsafe to use, and experts stress the proven risk of skipping sun protection is far greater. Buy from reputable brands.
Is sunscreen misinformation on TikTok true?
Often it isn't. Studies and dermatologists have flagged widespread sunscreen misinformation on social media — from 'sunscreen causes cancer' to anti-SPF and DIY trends. Rely on dermatologists and primary sources (AAD, FDA, peer-reviewed research) rather than viral claims.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'My FYP says sunscreen causes cancer — is any of that true?'