this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2025
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You’re Probably Not Wearing Enough Sunscreen (thetyee.ca)
submitted 3 months ago by Sunshine@lemmy.ca to c/publichealth@mander.xyz
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[–] voracitude@lemmy.world 17 points 3 months ago (11 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:

[–] GlennMagusHarvey@mander.xyz 11 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (9 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

[–] buffing_lecturer@leminal.space 5 points 3 months 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 months ago* (last edited 3 months 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

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