For me, summer means one thing: it's peak sunscreen season. So when videos claiming that sunscreen causes skin cancer started popping into my For You Page, I had to get to the bottom of it — and as a cancer survivor myself, I take this subject very, very seriously.
One video in particular, which has been viewed over 4.8 million times, starts off by saying, "We're literally rubbing cancer into our skin." The creator goes on to discuss previous recalls of various sunscreen brands due to contamination with benzene, and at one point claims that the entire sunscreen aisle is currently contaminated with benzene.
In the comments, it's clear that viewers are taking these claims seriously. People chimed in saying things like, "WHAT IS SAAAAAFE? I'm so tired," and, "This is why I don’t use it." It's definitely an inflammatory message delivered in an alarmist tone, and as someone who needs to either wear sunscreen or stay inside until November, I had to learn more.
So I reached out to Dr. Mamina Turegano (@dr.mamina). She's a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist practicing in the greater New Orleans area specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She shares a lot of info about sunscreen and skin care in general, and she answered my questions really thoroughly and thoughtfully.
So, what the heck is benzene, anyway? Dr. Mamina clarified that benzene is not a sunscreen ingredient. "Benzene is a known human carcinogen that has been related to issues in blood and bone marrow (like leukemia and low blood counts) and is unfortunately very prevalent in our environment. Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene — from tobacco smoke, gas stations, motor vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions. The benzene in indoor air comes from products that contain benzene, like glues, paints, and detergents. People who live in big cities are at higher risk for benzene exposure than those using sunscreen that may have detectable levels of benzene. I want to reiterate again that benzene is a contaminant and is NOT a sunscreen ingredient."
Dr. Mamina also explained that the sunscreens found to be contaminated with benzene have already been recalled, plus sunscreen manufacturers are now taking more steps to avoid benzene contamination in their products. "These claims should not deter people from wearing sunscreen. I recommend people refer to the list that was reported with contaminated sunscreens and avoid those if they still have them in their households. While that list included lotions, sprays, and gels, as well as mineral and chemical sunscreen ingredients, there was more of an association with spray sunscreens and chemical sunscreen ingredients. If there is any concern, stick with zinc-based sunscreen lotions or creams."
In case you're not familiar, zinc is the active ingredient in mineral sunscreens, which differ a bit from the chemical sunscreens that you're likely more used to. The zinc in mineral sunscreens blocks UV radiation by reflecting it away from your skin, while chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation and turn it into heat. Mineral sunscreens can appear white and chalky when you put them on, but some formulations contain a tint or have the zinc more broken down to prevent this white cast. Personally, I prefer mineral sunscreen on my face and neck because it doesn't make my eyes water the way that chemical sunscreens do, but now I'm definitely going to look for a good mineral sunscreen to protect my body and peace of mind as well.
Dr. Mamina also clarified that we should all be doing more than just putting on sunscreen to stay safe in the sun. "If you're spending time outdoors, seek shade, wear sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. There are also supplements that can help with sun protection, specifically with an ingredient called Polypodium leucotomos (derived from a fern extract). Examples include Heliocare, Pigmentation Defense, and Summer Ready."
And she shared another reason why some people are mistakenly convinced that sunscreen is causing skin cancer. "People think that sunscreen causes skin cancer because of the increased rate of skin cancer alongside sunscreen use. There has been an increase in the rate of skin cancer detection alongside more sunscreen use over the last 50 years. This is a correlation, but not a causation from people wearing sunscreen. People have spent way more time outdoors and using tanning beds. There is also a correlation with the health of our bodies/immune systems and ability to create more skin cancer."
Another myth Dr. Mamina often sees about sunscreen is its role in vitamin D absorption. "People think that because you’re not getting enough sun from wearing sunscreen that your vitamin D level gets lower, and this in turn can increase your risk for cancer. You can still get adequate vitamin D levels, even with sunscreen use, which is pretty cool. But just because you’re outside does not necessarily mean that you will get adequate vitamin D levels. I have patients who have very leathery tan skin and love being outside who are deficient in vitamin D. So vitamin D absorption is a lot more complex than just going outside. It depends on how we metabolize it, how the rest of our body is functioning in terms of how we absorb vitamin D."
She also explained the signs of skin cancer that everyone should be aware of. "I tell patients to look for the ABCDEs when it comes to melanoma screening (Asymmetry, irregular Borders, multiple, or dark Colors, Diameter greater than 6mm, and Evolving or new lesions). Look for moles that stand apart from the others — is it much darker? Non-melanoma skin cancers are very common as people get older. They can appear as pink, shiny, and/or pearly bumps or pink and scaly bumps."
Finally, Dr. Mamina explained, "We 100% know that UV rays cause skin cancer, but the development of skin cancer is based on multiple factors and we are still learning about it. Genetics, diet, and immune status can certainly play a role." So while contaminated sunscreen may sound scary, it's still riskier to go out in the sun with no protection at all. And her point about the complexities of what really causes cancer totally fits with my own experience as a survivor.
None of the doctors I met on my ✨cancer journey✨ were able to answer the big question of "why me???" On the individual level, we don't really know yet why any one person develops cancer while someone else with the same lifestyle and risk factors doesn't. However, there are certain habits like eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, getting exercise, and yes, wearing sunscreen, that have been proven to provide protective effects. So unless the science changes radically, I'll continue slathering on sunscreen before I step outside.
