During the warmer months, sunscreen use can be a hotly debated topic. The lack of clarity ranges from the alleged dangers of sunscreen to whether certain groups of people even need it. “Sunscreens contain carcinogenic substances,” says this TikTok user, for example. This user speaks in two videos about the fact that sunscreen is carcinogenic and that it is not the sun that causes people to get skin cancer .
Does sunscreen cause skin cancer?
A widespread myth is that sunscreens contain carcinogenic substances and can therefore cause skin cancer. This is largely unfounded. Dermatologists point out that sunscreens generally do not contain any carcinogenic substances. Different formulations of sunscreens (mineral or chemical) interact with the skin differently, but there is no scientific evidence to date that they contain substances that are carcinogenic to humans.
Vitamin D deficiency due to sunscreen?
Another common misconception is that using sunscreen causes vitamin D deficiency. However, experts agree: sunscreens do not cause vitamin D deficiency. Despite the high sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens, which filters out most UVB radiation, daily use of sunscreens has never been proven to cause vitamin D deficiency in clinical studies.
Do people with dark skin need sunscreen?
There is a claim going around that people with dark skin don't need sun protection. However, this is incorrect. Although people with darker skin can spend a little longer in the sun without sun protection without damaging their skin, there is no complete sun protection. Anyone can get sunburned.
Is a vegan diet a substitute for sunscreen?
Some claim that a vegan diet can replace sunscreen. Experts contradict this claim. While a healthy diet can help improve skin health, it cannot replace sunscreen protection.
We summarize the facts in the table below:
| claim | Fact check |
|---|---|
| Sunscreens contain carcinogenic substances | Unoccupied |
| Sunscreen leads to vitamin D deficiency | Incorrect |
| Black people don't need sunscreen | Incorrect |
| Vegan diet replaces sunscreen | Incorrect |
Finally, it is important to remember that unprotected sun exposure is a proven risk factor for skin cancer. Sunscreens offer important protection against UV rays and should therefore be an integral part of skin care, especially in the summer months. Before skipping sunscreen because of a myth, it's always a good idea to seek expert advice and rely on facts.
Conclusion: Sunlight, especially UV rays, are very dangerous and can cause skin cancer, this has been scientifically proven. But don't worry, sunscreen doesn't give you cancer. To date, we are not aware of any substances in sunscreens that can cause cancer after being applied to the skin!
Sources:
- own research
- German wave
- AFP
Also read: Fact check: The truth behind Deutsche Telekom's transgender handbook
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

