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

---

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.

---

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!

---

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?

---

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.

Answer 2

The statement that using too much sunscreen has no scientific evidence to prove it.

Sunscreen works by blocking UV rays which are proven to be a major cause of skin cancer. The use of sunscreen everyday has been proven to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Often times when sunscreen is applied, it has not been applied enough. It is also mentioned that there are no scientific findings of ways in which blocking UV rays, or the use of sunscreen, might negatively affect human health overall (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587264/). Consumers can be copious of the particular sunscreens they buy and what the ingredients are, however for example "all natural" alternatives that are used as sunscreen are likely not enough to work properly, therefor causing damage to the skin due to UV rays.

Using sunscreen everyday will decrease your chances of developing skin cancer and does not impact overall health such as a strong lacking of vitamin D. It is not proven that sunscreen prevents enough vitamin D from being absorbed into the skin to have a negative impact (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30945275/). Overall this statement is incorrect due to the fact that it is not backed up by evidence. The evidence on this topic proves the opposite. 

Comments

Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587264/

Answer 3

I believe this claim is mostly false but also a little true in certain ways. wearing sunscreens on days where the uv is high or if you are going to spend a lot of time outside will definitely help your skin fight harmful sun rays which help prevent skin cancers, aging, and dark spots. on the other side, wearing too much sunscreen especially on days where the uv is 3 or lower can cause other symptoms. for example Vitamin D is one of the vitamins humans are most deficient in and natural sunlight is a much better way to get those vitamins instead of supplementing. Also certain sunscreens such that have chemical blockers such as oxybenzone have been said to be a hormone blocker. According to a Harvard study. this ingredient would have to be used in masses to truly have a bad effect, that being said, people are allowed to feel otherwise. I think the best way to balance wearing sunscreens without it being possibly harmful is using zinc oxide based sunscreens. 

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

https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/the-truth-about-nutrient-deficiencies

Answer 4

The article provided comes from Quora, a website where anyone, regardless of their knowledge on a certain topic, can provide their opinion, so the credibility of this article is low. Not only is the blogger only talking from his experience, but he also provides no evidence for any of his assertions. Regarding the claim/question that “Using sunscreen daily is harmful to your skin.” According to the Harvard Health Publishing outlet, many have raised questions on the effects of chemicals in sunscreen, an example being Oxybenzone which some have deemed a “hormone disruptor. To this assertion, Dr. Jennifer Lin, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical school, has said “there has been no conclusive evidence that oxybenzone is harmful to humans. Organizations that have raised concerns about oxybenzone typically cite studies done in rats, where the rats were fed oxybenzone.” Furthermore, she also addresses a similar claim that “sunscreen causes skin cancer.” She has also denied this claim on the basis that these false conclusions came from studies where there were higher amounts of sunscreen being used because of higher sun exposure, which therefore increased the chances of skin cancer. Multiple sources I have found regularly point to the essential benefits of sunscreen. Sunscreen protects the human skin from the damage of Ultraviolet rays. Ultraviolet ray exposure positively correlates with Skin cancer risk. All in all, the Quora article that supports the claim that using sunscreen daily is harmful to your skin is unreliable, and from my findings, sunscreen has not been proven to harm your skin.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587264/ 

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

Answer 5

This claim is false. Sunscreen is a product that all doctors encourage people to use daily in order to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. Although sunscreen does block some UVB rays that our bodies use to produce Vitamin D, it isn't significant enough of an amount to impact our overall Vitamin D production. According to a 2019 meta-analysis published in the British School of Dermatology the majority of research shows that sunscreen has little to no impact on our bodies ability to produce vitamin D. So overall this claim is false

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-sunscreen-block-vitamin-d-7372964#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20multiple%20studies%20that,Ford%20Health%20in%20Detroit%2C%20Michigan.

Answer 6

The argument that daily use of sunscreen is harmful to your skin has no scientific basis. Instead, dermatologists consistently recommend daily use of sunscreen to protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a major contributor to skin cancer and premature aging. Healthline says broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 applied routinely can significantly reduce the risk for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Additionally, The Byrd Cancer Foundation emphasizes that sunscreen is not only good for preventing critical diseases but is also good to keep the skin safe from damage caused by sun such as wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. While a few people will have mild cutaneous reactions to some components of sunscreens, these are rare and can usually be avoided by choosing the right formula for your skin type. Overall, benefits of daily sunscreen use far outweigh any potential risks, and it should be a normal part of a healthy skincare regimen.

Answer 7

This claim is in fact false! This claim came from a non credible sight and was stated with no factual evidence or credibility. It is actually recommended that people apply sunscreen everyday. Sunscreen protects you from sunburns which are caused from UVB rays. Many people think sunburns can only happen with clear skies but in fact it can happen all year around, which continues to insist on the idea of applying sunscreen into your daily routine. ( GoodRx ) other benefits can include decreases chances of skin cancer, delays skin age and prevents discoloration ( Healthline ) overall, this claim came from an anonymous user with no backing to their claim. So although they state within their claim the harmful impacts on the environment that consistent sunscreen usage may cause, all other negative effects, specifically to your skin, it lacks credibility and is ultimately false.

Answer 8

​Using sunscreen daily is not harmful to your skin; in fact, it's one of the most effective ways to protect against sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Concerns that sunscreen use may lead to vitamin D deficiency is not proven. Studies indicate that typical sunscreen use does not significantly impede vitamin D production, as enough UVB rays still penetrate the skin to maintain adequate levels . Dermatologists recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily, even on cloudy days, to safeguard your skin's health .​OUP Academic

Answer 9

The claim that using sunscreen is bad for your skin because it blocks vitamin D absorption is mostly false. It is exaggerated and misleading. 

The most effective sunscreens block out up to 97% of the sun’s rays (Does Sunscreen Prevent Tanning? A Dermatologist Weighs In | Glamour). People in Northern climates may not naturally get a lot of sun, so they supplement their vitamin D by eating foods that have it, like eggs, cheese, and fatty fish or by taking supplements (https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-how-much-vitamin-d-do-i-need/). According to the Mayo Clinic, the amount of vitamin D a person needs varies in recommended amounts, depending on the source. “Recommendations for how much daily vitamin D adults need through diet have changed over the years. Currently, different recommendations exist. The Institute of Medicine has placed the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for vitamin D at 600 international units (IU) per day for young adults and 800 IU per day for adults older than 70. Other experts suggest that adults’ vitamin D needs are much higher. For example, the Endocrine Society recommends up to 1,500 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily for adults. Mayo Clinic recommends that adults get at least the RDA of 600 IU. However, 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D from a supplement is generally safe, should help people achieve an adequate blood level of vitamin D, and may have additional health benefits” ((https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-how-much-vitamin-d-do-i-need/). The benefits of sunscreen include preventing burns, skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. (https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen) 

Answer 10

Daily sunscreen use is not harmful to the skin and is strongly supported by scientific evidence for its role in preventing skin cancer. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB radiation, which are major contributors to skin cancer and skin damage. A large randomized trial in Australia demonstrated that daily sunscreen application reduced the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma by 40% and significantly lowered melanoma risk over time (Sander et. al.). The concerns about chemical ingredients like oxybenzone disrupting hormones or systemic absorption are disproven by studies showing that these effects only occur at exposure levels higher than what sunscreen users will experience. For example, the levels used in rodent studies would require a human to apply sunscreen daily for centuries to match the dose. Moreover, no conclusive evidence links sunscreen to increased cancer risk; rather, higher skin cancer rates among sunscreen users are explained by increased sun exposure, not the sunscreen itself (Harvard Health). Overall, the claim that using sunscreen daily is harmful for your skin is not true. In fact, using sunscreen is an important part of a daily routine in order to keep your skin safe.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7759112/pdf/192e1802.pdf

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