Using sunscreen daily harmful to your skin

Question

Is the daily use of sunscreen harmful to your skin barrier because it blocks sun rays from giving people the Vitamin D they need? Please let me know as someone who values skincare.

Comments

Based on my research, the claim that “using sunscreen daily is harmful to your skin” is false. Here’s what I found:

First of all, a Q&A site like Quora.com is not a valid source as the information comes from individual users instead of licensed professionals. After a quick google search of the main claim “Is using sunscreen daily harmful to your skin?” I found multiple sources that prove that daily sunscreen is in fact crucial to protecting your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

The first reliable source I found was an article from the American Medical Association called “What doctors wish patients knew about wearing sunscreen”. The AMA is a licensed organization with educated professionals in varying medical fields, with this article focused on statements from two dermatologists.

- Evelyn Jones, MD, a dermatologist and owner of WellSprings Dermatology and WellSprings SkinCare in Paducah, Kentucky.

- Klint Peebles, MD, a dermatologist in Washington and suburban Maryland at Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, a member of the AMA Health System Program.

The article lists multiple points on how to properly choose, apply, and reapply sunscreen. The first sentence of the article, “wearing sunscreen is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin’s appearance and health at any age,” already disproves the initial claim, with the article then going into more detail about how wearing sunscreen helps to prevent skin cancer.

Although this article is from 2022, meaning that it isn’t the most recently posted evidence, it is still a reliable source. If this claim was about politics or current events, an article from three years ago might not be the best evidence to use, but facts proven by medical professionals and dermatologists are still reliable after three years.

In addition, I investigated “The science of sunscreen” published by Harvard Health, yet another incredibly reliable source backed up by professionals of a prestigious university and medical school. Dr. Jennifer Lin, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Melanoma Risk and Prevention Clinic at Brigham and Women's Hospital answers commonly asked questions about sunscreen. This article states the many benefits of wearing daily sunscreen, but it also addresses some potential worries that people have about sunscreen.

There is a question asking “Is there evidence that sunscreen actually causes skin cancer?” in which Dr. Lin replies with a no, stating that those who use more sunscreen are also the ones who are exposing themselves to more of the suns harmful rays. This means that there is a direct correlation from sun exposure to skin cancer, not sunscreen to skin cancer.

https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-wearing-sunscreen

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen

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This comment seems to be seemingly false. Daily sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. There are many concerns about sunscreen damaging the skin barrier or causing vitamin D deficiency are common, but current research provides evidence against those common claims.
An article published in the journal Life showed the effects of sunscreen on various parameters of skin health, including transepidermal water loss, stratum corneum hydration, and skin elasticity. The findings indicated that sunscreen use does not affect the skin barrier function or overall skin homeostasis.
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/12/12/2083?
While it's true that UVB rays from the sun are necessary for the skin to create vitamin D, research indicates that regular sunscreen use does not lead to vitamin D deficiency. Research has shown that people who use sunscreen daily can maintain healthy vitamin D levels.
https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/?
In summary, sunscreen use is a vital component of keeping a healthy skincare routine, protecting against UV damage without harming the skin barrier or significantly inhibiting vitamin D. Balancing sun protection with mindful vitamin D intake through diet or supplements can help you keep overall health while protecting your skin.

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The claim that using sunscreen daily is harmful to your skin because you are blocking the sun rays is false. Wearing sunscreen daily is proven by dermatologists that it is essential to your skin barrier. “Contrary to common concerns, research indicates that the regular use of sunscreen does not significantly impair the body’s ability to produce vitamin D.” (Bask Sunscare). According to the American Academy of Dermatology, wearing sunscreen helps prevent harmful sun rays from harming your skin. AAD gives examples on sunscreens' benefits such as decreasing signs of early aging, decreasing risk of developing skin cancer, and preventing sunburn. It is important to note that while sunscreen significantly lowers the exposure to UVB rays, it does not block all 100%. This is backed up by Bask Suncare unveiling-the-truth-does-sunscreen-block-vitamin-d, the AAD https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/is-sunscreen-safe#, and NIH uvfilters. Daily use of sunscreen is not harming our skin, but doing the opposite!

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Great response that gets straight to the point. Also uses a very reputable source. Keep it up! The main question that this claim gives rise to is are there any differences between the different sunscreen brands and if they have an effect?

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This claim is not true. Sunscreen is something healthcare professionals suggest you wear every day. Sunscreen does not block your skin from obtaining good vitamins such as vitamin D but does block your skin from harmful UV rays that hurt you. In research done by AMA, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and  Harvard Health, sunscreen is something that should be a part of your daily routine. It benefits your skin by reducing the risk of skin cancer and helping your skin stay as healthy as possible when spending time outdoors. Your body is still able to take in Vitamin D while being protected from Ultra ultraviolet rays that can burn your skin. In a study done by Harvard Health it states, "but there's debate about whether this is actually necessary when vitamin D can be obtained from certain foods and as an oral supplement. Concern about vitamin D deficiency should not be a reason to avoid sunscreen." (Harvard Health). Ultimately this claim is false.

Sources: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen

https://www.ama-assn.org/

Answer 1

My research proved this claim to be false. Most dermatologists recommend that sunscreen should be worn every day, not just when the weather is warm. Sunscreen protects humans from harmful, cancer-causing, UV rays. Jessica Dietert, MD, and dermatologist states, “‘The sun’s UV rays are potent, and just 15 minutes outside is enough exposure to cause damage and potentially skin cancer long term,’” (https://www.healthline.com/health/sunscreen-explained#every-day-use). This quote highlights the importance of wearing sunscreen no matter the weather. June Robinson, an MD, and writer for JAMA Networks, states, “Current estimates are that 1 in 5 individuals living in the United States will develop skin cancer during their lifetime” (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/201579). It is important to acknowledge that sunscreen does block out some vitamin D absorption. Assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Jennifer Lin says, “because most people apply far less than the recommended amount (about one shot glass–sized amount to the body and a teaspoonful to the face) of sunscreen, users typically aren't deficient in vitamin D” (https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen).There is no real concern that sunscreen specifically makes people deficient and if this is a concern there are other ways to get vitamin D that do not carry a risk of cancer.