Sunscreen in the News: What is True and What is Not

By: Fayne Frey, MD

News stories about sunscreen abound. They claim that they get into your bloodstream, reduce vitamin D, and even kill coral. What’s true and what’s not?

Photo Source: iStock

Sunscreen is in the news again. You have probably seen the stories. They proclaim:

Sunscreen is safe!

Sunscreen is not safe!

Sunscreen protects against skin cancer!

Sunscreen causes vitamin D deficiency!

Sunscreen ingredients get into my blood — that can’t be good!

Sunscreen is killing the coral!

And yet, every dermatologist on the planet recommends sunscreen.

How can you know what is true and what is not? Let’s review the data.

But first, let’s go over the basics

What is sunscreen?

Sunscreens are products that help protect the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are two types of UV rays that reach the earth’s surface: UVA and UVB.