this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2025
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You’re Probably Not Wearing Enough Sunscreen (thetyee.ca)
submitted 3 days ago by Sunshine@lemmy.ca to c/publichealth@mander.xyz
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[–] voracitude@lemmy.world 17 points 3 days ago (2 children)

conspiracy that sunscreen itself was causing skin cancer

In the US, it's a concern: https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/carcinogen-benzene-sunscreen

There have been a few lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson in particular because of the benzene specifically:

[–] Horsey@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I always slathered or sprayed sunscreen on thick (Southern AZ) and hate how my eyes start to burn towards the end of the day, and I have a terrible taste in my mouth. Spent a month in France and bought sunscreen at the local bodega and had none of those issues (and I just bought the cheap shit). There’s definitely something to the American sunscreens that’s less friendly overall.

[–] GlennMagusHarvey@mander.xyz 11 points 3 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (6 children)

thinks back to college chem lab classes and MSDSes why would anyone put benzene in sunscreen

Anyway, for reference here's the paragraph from the article about the harmful substance:

When people say chemical sunscreens are unsafe or “toxic,” they generally point to a 2001 study that found some risks associated with oxybenzone after scientists put high levels of the ingredient in drinking water for rats. But a followup study in 2016 found that for humans to get to similar risky exposure levels they’d have to apply full-body daily sunscreen for 227 years.

Meanwhile, I've noticed that mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are reportedly considered "reef safe": https://savethereef.org/about-reef-save-sunscreen.html

And they aren't the substances that are cited for toxicity/carcinogenicity. So, based on the available information (correct me if I'm wrong, of course!), it seems that they're the best choice.

Also I've heard that mineral sunscreens work by reflecting sunlight rather than absorbing it and dissipating it as a different form of energy (I forget whether that's heat or chemical change) so that might also be useful in other ways. But I am not an expert.

EDIT: see later replies to this post for more information to consider

[–] No_Eponym@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago

Might be some concerns about heavy metal contamination in mineral sunscreen to consider.

https://tamararubin.com/2025/06/sunscreen-chart/

[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Mineral sunscreen also feel like slathering yourself in peanut butter. And if you have any body hair, good fucking luck.

That's just not a real solution for something you have to reapply every couple hours.

[–] rockstarmode@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

Agreed, especially on the mineral sunscreens. Usually when you buy the version of sunscreen for babies (at least in the US) they're only of the mineral variety.

I spend a lot of time in the sun and have a chronic skin condition. During the summer I used to get really deep pimples and cysts that took months to go away. Ever since I switched to mineral sunscreens I haven't had issues. It's a personal anecdote, but I'm happy with the change, even if mineral sunscreens are a bit harder to apply.

[–] GingerGoodness@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Dr Michelle Wong is an Australian cosmetic chemist who's really into sunscreen if anyone's looking for an expert's opinion.

https://labmuffin.com/sunscreen-myth-directory/

[–] CuriousRefugee@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 days ago

This was fascinating and informative, thank you so much!

[–] GlennMagusHarvey@mander.xyz 4 points 3 days ago

Well, that's interesting; there's several things that conflict with my prior information. Time to look into it further; thanks for sharing.

[–] buffing_lecturer@leminal.space 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Zinc is also pretty good for your skin in general. I use mineral sunscreen because I am stubborn, but it sounds better than it actually is. It works by sitting on your skin and reflecting light. It is opaque. You look white as a ghost, or you buy tinted and risk looking like you are covered in foundation. And it gets on everything you wear especially if it's black. I probably never use enough just because I think I'd look like a clown.

[–] GlennMagusHarvey@mander.xyz 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Oh, then I might not be using enough because I don't look like a ghost after applying it lol

only recently bought some mineral sunscreen for the first time, because I got into biking places

[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

If I recall correctly, the benzene ended up in sunscreen as part of propellant manufacturing. These were the “spray can” variety of sunscreen.