Have you ever wondered: Does sunscreen cause cancer? If so, you're not alone. Claims on social media and online often make it challenging to separate fact from fiction.
Studies haven’t found that U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved sunscreen ingredients cause cancer in people. However, decades of research have shown that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun is a major cause of skin cancer, making sunscreen a vital part of protecting your skin.
The FDA has found that the mineral sunscreen ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally recognized as safe and effective. The agency has also called for additional research on several routinely used chemical sunscreen ingredients, including ensulizole, octisalate, homosalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, oxybenzone and avobenzone. Importantly, this recommendation doesn’t mean these ingredients have been shown to be unsafe or to cause cancer — rather, it reflects the FDA's effort to gather more safety data as science and testing methods continue to evolve.
In this article, we separate sunscreen myths from facts, covering:
- Why use sunscreen?
- Sunscreen fears pose challenges to cancer prevention
- Sunscreen year-round: What to know
If you or a loved one is concerned about possible signs or symptoms of cancer and would like an initial consultation or a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
Why Use Sunscreen?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. By the numbers, about nine out of 10 non-melanoma skin cancers are linked to exposure to ultraviolet UV rays from the sun, and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. But many cases are preventable with healthy sun protection habits.
That's why leading health organizations — including the FDA, the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society — recommend sunscreen as part of a complete sun protection plan.
Sunscreen works best when combined with other sun safety measures that help protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which include:
- Choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays
- Applying sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside to give it time to absorb into your skin
- Using enough sunscreen (most adults need about 1 ounce — enough to fill a shot glass — to cover exposed skin)
- Making sure to cover easy-to-forget areas like the ears, neck, scalp, the tops of the feet and the backs of hands, and using lip balm with SPF
- Reapplying every two hours and more often when swimming, sweating or drying off with a towel, even when using water-resistant sunscreen
- Wearing protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts, pants and clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating for an added layer of defense
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat to shield the face, ears and neck from the sun
- Wearing sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays
- Seeking shade when the sun is strongest, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Avoiding indoor tanning, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, which exposes skin to harmful UV radiation and increases your skin cancer risk
“No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays, so think of sunscreen as one key part of a bigger sun protection strategy,” says Gaurav Singh, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.D., F.A.C.M.S., a dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon at City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago.
Sunscreen Fears Pose Challenges to Cancer Prevention
Questions about sunscreen safety are common. A recent survey by the Melanoma Research Alliance found that 59% of Americans worry about chemicals in sunscreen, yet only 32% understand how sunscreen works. The findings reinforce how misinformation may create confusion about an important tool for preventing skin cancer.
How Does the FDA Evaluate Sunscreen Safety?
In the United States, sunscreen is regulated by the FDA as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug. Before sunscreen ingredients may be marketed, the FDA reviews research on how well they protect against UV rays and their safety when used as directed.
The FDA considers the mineral sunscreen ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to be generally recognized as safe and effective. For several other commonly used ingredients, the agency has requested additional safety data as testing methods have advanced. This doesn’t mean these ingredients have been proven to be unsafe or to cause cancer. Health experts continue to recommend sunscreen because its proven benefits in helping prevent skin cancer far outweigh any unclear risks.
What About Benzene?
Some confusion arises from recalls of specific sunscreen batches that were found to be contaminated with benzene, a known human carcinogen. Benzene isn’t an active sunscreen ingredient and is never intentionally added to sunscreen. Those recalls were related to manufacturing contamination — not the UV-filtering ingredients themselves. Today, expert organizations continue to recommend sunscreen as a safe and effective way to help prevent skin cancer.
Sunscreen Year-Round: What to Know
Sunscreen isn't just for beach days. Dangerous UV rays reach the skin year-round — even on cloudy days and during the winter. Snow, water and sand also reflect UV rays, boosting exposure.
"Many people think they only need sunscreen on sunny summer days, but UV exposure happens every day you're outdoors," Dr. Singh explains. "Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapplying it every two hours should be a year-round habit."
A recent advance may make daily sunscreen use even easier and more aesthetically pleasing. In June, the FDA approved bemotrizinol, the first new sunscreen active ingredient approved in the United States in decades. Already used safely in Europe and other countries, bemotrizinol provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, remains stable in sunlight and can be used in lightweight formulations that many people find more comfortable to wear. It’s considered a chemical sunscreen ingredient.
While no sunscreen can eliminate the risk for developing skin cancer, protecting skin from UV rays and checking skin regularly for unusual spots or sun damage may make a lifesaving difference. “Early detection matters,” Dr. Singh says. “When found early before it spreads, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.” He urges people who notice a new or changing mole or spot on their skin to get it evaluated by a dermatologist immediately.
If you or a loved one is concerned about possible signs or symptoms of cancer and would like an initial consultation or a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.