The problem with influencers is that they can be so, well, influential – and often not for the right reasons.
Last week, former TOWIE star Sam Faiers revealed on Instagram to her 2.5million followers that she doesn’t put sunscreen on her children, fearing some brands are ‘harmful’ and full of ‘toxic ingredients’.
Ms Faiers is far from alone. A growing online movement, driven by celebrities and influencers, is promoting the idea that sunscreen could be dangerous for children. Among them is TV personality Kelsey Parker, widow of The Wanted singer Tom Parker, who has suggested on Instagram SPF ’causes skin cancer’.
Influencer Lauryn Goodman, meanwhile, has also urged followers to ‘train your skin’ and ‘build up melanin slowly’ – melanin is a natural pigment which the skin produces more of when exposed to the sun. Ms Goodman maintains that natural tanning, like this, can prevent sun damage.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, leading medical experts have expressed fury about this kind of ‘advice’, warning it risks serious harm – not only to the children of the influencers, but also to the many families who might follow their lead.
‘As a dermatologist who sees the effects of sun damage every day, I am deeply concerned by the growing trend of influencers spreading harmful myths about sunscreen,’ says Dr Angela Tewari, consultant dermatologist at King’s College Hospital and The Lister Hospital in London.
‘The idea that SPF is toxic or that children can “build immunity” to the sun is not only irresponsible – it’s dangerous. These views are unscientific and put children’s health at serious risk,’ she says.
Her concerns are echoed by Dr Ajoy Bardhan, a consultant dermatologist with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Lauryn Goodman has claimed you can train your skin to defend itself against the sun’s UV rays by exposing yourself to more sunlight
Sam Faiers revealed on Instagram to her 2.5million followers that she doesn’t put sunscreen on her children, claiming some brands are ‘harmful’ and full of ‘toxic ingredients’
Dr Angela Tewari, consultant dermatologist at King’s College Hospital in London, says she is deeply concerned about influencers spreading misinformation about sunscreen
He told the Daily Mail: ‘Claims that sunscreen is carcinogenic come from poor or misinterpreted science, amplified by social media.’
Research carried out on rats showed there were developmental changes when rats in the womb were exposed to certain chemicals commonly found in sunscreen.
However, analysis in the medical journal JAMA Dermatology in 2011 found that a human would need to apply sunscreen daily for between 34 to 277 years (depending on how of the body is covered) to match the kind of levels the rats in studies have been exposed to.
And while further research – including a 2019 study published in JAMA – confirmed chemicals in sunscreens can be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin, there was no evidence of harm to humans. And the 2019 study, for instance, only involved 24 people applying unusually high amounts of sunscreen.
But Dr Bardhan points out: ‘Some ingredients, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been studied in animals at extremely high doses – not remotely comparable to normal human use. There is no convincing evidence sunscreen causes cancer in humans. On the contrary, sunscreen prevents it by protecting skin from UV radiation, a proven carcinogen.’
Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is becoming more common in the UK. Cancer Research UK predicts there will be around 21,300 melanoma diagnoses in 2025 – a 22 per cent increase since 2023, reaching a record high. In the UK alone, around 2,300 people die from melanoma each year. And much of this is directly linked to unprotected sun exposure – 86 per cent of melanomas are preventable by protecting skin from harmful UV rays, according to the charity Melanoma Focus.
Essentially the UV radiation can penetrate the skin and damage DNA in cells. ‘Over time, this DNA damage accumulates, potentially triggering mutations that cause skin cells to grow uncontrollably, ultimately leading to skin cancer,’ explains Dr Alpa Kanji, a consultant dermatologist in London.
‘Around 90 per cent of skin cancer cases are directly linked to unprotected sun exposure. While some chemicals in sunscreen can enter the bloodstream, robust evidence shows that sunscreen prevents cancer, not the other way around.’
Dr Ajoy Bardhan, a consultant dermatologist with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, says claims that sunscreen is carcinogenic are false
Experts say it’s best to apply sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor of 30 to protect skin from UV rays during the summer months
As for the influencers’ suggestion that the skin can ‘build up’ resistance to UV rays through tanning, this, too, is roundly dismissed by experts.
The claim is that increased production of melanin is a form of protection
‘Melanin is the pigment your skin produces in response to UV damage – it’s not a shield, it’s a warning sign,’ says Dr Tina Tian, consultant dermatologist at Stratum Dermatology Clinic Oxford. ‘While darker skin types naturally contain more melanin, even the darkest skin tones only offer a maximum equivalent to SPF seven. Therefore, a tan, which involves far less melanin than naturally dark skin, offers nowhere near enough protection. The idea that tanning builds meaningful defence is a myth. A tan is just sun damage in disguise.’
It’s critical to avoid sunburn at all costs, explains Dr Paul Banwell, a plastic surgeon specialising in skin cancer at the Pantheons Clinic in London and former head of the melanoma and skin cancer unit at the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust in East Grinstead, West Sussex. And this is especially crucial for children, he adds.
‘Children’s skin is thinner and so particularly vulnerable to sunburn. We know that sunburn episodes in childhood are very powerful predictors of future sun cancer risk. It is purported that one blistering sunburn episode in childhood can nearly double the lifetime risk of melanoma. It’s why from March to September in the UK alone, children should wear factor 50 every day. And of course whenever they go on holiday and the sun is hot.’
This is particularly important when UV levels are high – as reflected in the UV Index (the standard, international measure of ultraviolet radiation). Whenever the UV index hits three or above, unprotected skin can be damaged – even on cloudy days.
There are two main types of sunscreen – chemical and physical (also known as ‘mineral’). Both provide protection but in slightly different ways. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into harmless heat.
Mineral or physical products sit on the skin and literally block the UV rays. In addition, physical sunscreens contain ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which can reflect the sun’s rays.
‘When deciding which sunscreen is best for you, start with your skin type and lifestyle,’ advises Dr Tewari. ‘Those with sensitive skin should look for mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, while those with oily and acne-prone skin would be best with a non-comedogenic [avoids blocking skin pores], lighter formulations.
‘If you have darker skin, consider tinted or invisible formulations to avoid white residue. If you’re participating in sport or spending time in water, opt for water-resistant formulas. Fundamentally, the best sunscreen is the one used consistently and reapplied regularly.’
The sun protection factor, or SPF on the bottle is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection – essentially how long you can stay in the sun before getting burnt.
For example, with a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 it will take 30 times longer to damage your skin compared to no protection at all. Far from downgrading the importance of sunscreen, many retailers have stopped stocking products with SPF under 15 as they offer so little protection. This aligns with research that suggests the higher SPF the better. A 2018 study found that SPF 100+ sunscreen is more effective at preventing sunburn compared to SPF 50+ sunscreen, especially in real-world conditions such as on the beach.
You should also look for products with a minimum four-star UVA rating.
‘Look for a broad-spectrum formula, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays,’ says Dr Bardhan. ‘SPF 30 should be the minimum for daily use even in the UK as it blocks around 97 per cent of UVB rays.’
Also check the packaging of sunscreen – which should be opaque to prevent ingredients degrading and check expiry dates as sunscreen effectiveness diminishes over time. And store in a cool, dry place as direct sunlight can cause the active ingredients to break down, reducing their effectiveness.
‘Perhaps most importantly in terms of practicality, choose a product you actually don’t mind wearing,’ says Dr Bardhan. ‘The best sunscreen is the one you’ll apply regularly.’
‘It’s also important to use the correct amount (roughly a shot-glass-sized amount for full body coverage),’ adds Dr Kanji. ‘And don’t forget easily missed areas like ears, backs of hands and tops of feet.’
The expert view is clear, as Dr Tewari explains: ‘Social media platforms are powerful, and when people with large followings share misinformation – no matter how well-intentioned – the damage can be far-reaching.
‘I urge parents to seek advice from qualified professionals. Make sun safety part of your family’s daily routine, just like brushing teeth.’
