With so much information circulating online, it is easy to get caught out by viral sun and tanning trends.
From anti-SPF misinformation to intentional sunburning trends on social media, online information can ignore the real risks of UV exposure. UK sun protection products are safe, effective, and highly regulated, and sunburn is never a healthy outcome.
Here are a few of the most common myths and unhealthy trends circulating about sunscreen and tanning:
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Intentional sunburning or tan lines
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Anti‑SPF myths
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Dangerous pro-tanning messages
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The “Skip SPF for vitamin D” myth
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Mineral vs chemical UV filters
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Can sunscreen harm coral?
Intentional sunburning or tan lines
Some online content glamorises burning the skin to create dramatic tan lines. This is highly dangerous advice. Sunburn is a sign of skin damage and increases your risk of skin cancer.
Health authorities and doctors are very clear about sunburn and the importance of protecting skin from the sun’s damaging effects. The NHS and Cancer Research UK both state that sunburn can increase your chances of developing skin cancer.
Read more about simple sun safety measures here: How to choose and use sunscreen
Anti‑SPF myths
There are unfounded claims circulating online that sun protection products are ‘toxic’ or ‘unnecessary’. Sunscreens, like all personal care products, are thoroughly studied and are backed up by a wealth of scientific information proving their efficacy.
There is a legal requirement that all cosmetics in the UK and Europe must undergo a safety assessment by a qualified safety assessor. The assessment covers the safety of the finished product as well as all the individual ingredients, how and where the product is to be used, by whom and how often.
Sunscreens are an essential part of protecting yourself from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Read more about sunscreens safety here: The science behind sunscreens
Dangerous pro-tanning messages
There is no such thing as a safe tan. Tanning is caused by exposure to UV radiation from the sun. The skin tries to prevent injury by producing melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its colour, which results in the skin darkening.
Tanning changes and ages the skin, it is a visible sign of damage that accelerates the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots. As stated by the NHS, a tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects.
Be sure to take precautions to protect your skin from UV exposure, which includes seeking shade at peak times, wearing sunglasses and using loose clothing to cover up and protect your skin.
Read more about How to choose and use sunscreen
The “Skip SPF for vitamin D” myth
A common misconception suggests that you should avoid sunscreen to boost vitamin D levels, but this advice is misleading and not supported by scientific evidence.
Vitamin D production, triggered when UV rays react with skin cholesterol, is essential for bone health and potentially protects against various diseases.
Research shows that wearing sunscreen does not block vitamin D production. For example, individuals using broad-spectrum sunscreen on holiday still saw an increase in vitamin D levels compared to those not exposed to the sun.1 Reviews confirm that sunscreen use in real life does not significantly affect vitamin D status and that the protective benefits far outweigh concerns.2
It is important to strike a balance: protecting your skin from UV damage while enjoying the positive effects of sunlight. Health authorities recommend sensible sun exposure for vitamin D production but stress the importance of sun protection to reduce the risk of skin damage and cancer.
Protect yourself by seeking shade during peak hours, wearing protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, and applying sunscreen regularly. These simple measures allow you to reap the benefits of sunlight without risking your health.
Mineral vs chemical UV filters
There is considerable confusion online about whether you should choose sun protection products with mineral or chemical UV filters.
The good news is that you can choose either. Both mineral and chemical UV filters are just as safe and effective. Both types are regulated by the UK Cosmetics Regulation and offer safe and reliable protection. What matters is the correct use of sunscreen.
Read more about sunscreen safety here: The science behind sunscreens
Can sunscreen harm coral?
The cosmetics industry takes both its human health and environmental responsibilities very seriously. In the UK and EU, sunscreen ingredients must comply with laws regulating their safety for health and the environment.
Coral deterioration by climate change and other factors is rightly an urgent focus for scientists.
UV filters are some of the most studied of all cosmetic ingredients and there are no reliable studies showing UV filters harm the marine environment.
The cosmetics industry is passionate in ensuring that ingredients are safe for both our health and the environment and actively contributes to global science studies around coral reef exposure to UV filters through numerous published scientific papers.
Read more: Cosmetics And The Environment
To conclude
Cosmetic products, including sun protection products, are governed by strict UK laws that ensure consumer safety and product quality. Manufacturers must comply with detailed requirements regarding ingredients, labelling, and safety assessments before sunscreen products reach the market.
It is vital to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful effects. Misinformation and dangerous social media trends can put your health at risk.
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[1] Young AR, Narbutt J, Harrison GI, Lawrence KP, Bell M, O'Connor C, Olsen P, Grys K, Baczynska KA, Rogowski‐Tylman M, Wulf HC, Lesiak A, Philipsen PA, Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn, Br J Dermato, Volume 181, Issue 5, 1 November 2019, Pages 1052–1062
[2] Neale R, Khan S, Lucas R, Waterhouse M, Whiteman D, Olsen C. The effect of sunscreen on vitamin D: a review. Br J Dermato, 2019 181(5), pp. 907-915.
