The social media app TikTok may be a good source of entertainment but it’s definitely not a good source for medical advice. Last summer, TikTok influencers attempted to start a trend urging people NOT to use sunscreen. Claims of “The more time you spend outside, the less likely you are to get sunburned,” actually gained 11 million likes and “The sun does not cause skin cancer” was bookmarked 4,000 times!
Armchair doctors with a degree in social media are NOT medical professionals and TikTok trends are typically anything but healthy. With summer finally here, the best way to enjoy the season is to enjoy it safely protected from the sun. In addition to seeking shade when possible, wearing wide-brimmed hats and lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants when possible, wearing sunscreen is a must. There are parts of your body that can’t be covered at all times (you’re not going to the beach in gloves and socks!)
However, choosing the right sunscreen is important. Don’t get burned by shoddy sunscreen because not all sunscreens are equal or even effective. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an environmental health advocacy group that focuses on such areas as household and consumer products, personal care products, farming and agriculture, food and water and energy to name few to empower consumers with unbiased research and information to help them make the right product choices for their families. EWG notes that only about a quarter of the sunscreens currently on the shelf today are actually safe and effective against the harmful rays of the sun.
There are two types of sunscreens—chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens which come in the form of such familiar names as avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, ecamsule, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate, are designed to absorb into the skin and provide protection through a chemical reaction while mineral sunscreens such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide work by deflecting the sun’s rays.
To learn more about which sunscreens are most effective and which are right for your family, visit the EWG’s 2025 Top Sunscreen list at www.ewg.org/sunscreen/.