This summer we’ve seen a continued misinformation campaign featuring fear-mongering and unproven claims of harm from using sunscreen.
It’s seen on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. It’s been heard on Joe Rogan’s podcast. It’s been seen in videos featuring reality TV show personalities Kristin Cavallari and Samantha Falers, and fitness coach James Middleton, and others who call themselves “sun nutritionists” or “age reversal/longevity advisers.”
At the head of the pack may be Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who late last year said:
“FDA’s war on public health is about to end. This includes its aggressive suppression of (among other things) sunshine.”
The Daily Beast (below) and others reported that he’s been seen leaving a tanning salon, which may indicate one way he’s battling such suppression.
The claims fall into two main categories: that people need the full, unblocked dose of Vitamin D which the sun provides, and/or that there are dangerous chemicals in many commercial sunscreens.
A Mayo Clinic article on “Getting enough vitamin D” states:
The amount of sun exposure needed for adequate vitamin D production is uncertain, but most estimates are no more than 15 minutes a day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., three times a week. However, this sun exposure must be balanced against your risk of skin cancer.
The Washington Post addressed the claims of potential harms:
Some in the anti-sunscreen movement point to studies suggesting that certain chemicals cause cancer or are absorbed too heavily into the body. But public health experts say there are no human studies that conclusively prove ingredients like oxybenzone act as carcinogens.
“Oxybenzone has been used since the 1970s in sunscreen, so we would have found out by now if it caused harm,” said Henry W. Lim, senior vice president of academic affairs and former chair of dermatology at Henry Ford Health.
“A lot of the concerns come from animal studies using high doses, but those results don’t automatically translate to humans,” said Lim, who is also the president of the International League of Dermatological Societies and a past president of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Susan Taylor, vice chair of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania and President of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), was interviewed on WBUR in Boston. She said she’s been “flabbergasted” at the misinformation about sunscreens that has become so widespread. She emphasizes that “the sun’s ultraviolet rays are carcinogens.”
Are the celebrity and social media claims having an impact? An AAD survey of more than 1,000 US adults zoomed in on Gen Z adults, born between 1997 - 2012:
They “are less informed about how to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays and also more likely to believe myths and misconceptions that put them at further risk”
“Nearly a quarter of all Gen Z survey respondents get a grade of “D” or “F” when surveyed on their knowledge of skin protection facts.”
“More than a fifth of Gen Z respondents prioritize getting a tan over protecting their skin, and 25% say it’s worth looking great now even if it means looking worse later.”
There are do-it-yourself sunscreen advocates who urge people to try substances like essential oils, olive oil, avocado oil, wheat germ oil, almond oil, coconut oil, carrot seed oil, etc. These are not tested for sun protection factor (SPF) ratings, so you might just get oily without any benefit.
That was one topic of this segment on CBS:
Perhaps the height - or depth - of feverish fervor for more light on this subject came from former Fox News show host Tucker Carlson, who interviewed fitness professional Andrew McGovern who said it’s “not crazy” to expose your testicles to infrared light in order to raise testosterone levels. Some have apparently applied this idea to sunlight exposure as well.
I’ve read that Carlson’s documentary, “The End of Men,” showed a guy shining a red light on his testicles. I won’t be watching and I won’t be trying it.
It’s been said that “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” So maybe shining light on this misinformation can help someone avoid needless pain and suffering from skin cancer.
Addendum on August 26, 2025: A dermatologist based in Scotland wrote that she’d been “hit by a wave of trolling and angry comments” because she advised people to use SPF sun creams to help avoid melanoma. Among the social media comments criticizing her:
You sound very vaccinated.
No one respects you drug dealers anymore. Move on to a better profession instead of poisoning people for quick buck.
It’s a shame you are so brainwashed by marketing.
We have spent decades educating folks on the dangers of too much sun exposure, including how to get vitamin d safely. Skin cancers are not always “simple” to treat and can be deadly (think melanoma).
My mom used to use Ban De Soleil—which was a jelly not unlike what the MAHA folks are advocating today. She grew old with wrinkled aging skin and lots of skin cancers.
Somehow a vocal group thinks “back to the future” is a path to health. Some of us think it is a path to some serious avoidable problems.
Let’s make America healthy together by doing what we already know works. It isn’t sexy but it does offer a path to better health—for everyone.
Want to lay a bet? Majority in your circle do not make an annual visit to a dermatologist. No one wants to experience MOHS surgery; though if necessary pick a surgeon with gift of humor. Mine so adept at both actually look forward to visit if necessary. O.k., guy next had no nose. Since cloudy days no protection, you get the picture. "Lather up" with what's proven, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.