Wellness TikTokers spread conspiracy theory that sunscreen is bad for you

By Charlie Sawyer

Updated Jul 2, 2024 at 03:26 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

59381

If anyone needed reminding, sun tan lotion (or sunscreen, sunblock, whatever you like to call it) is apparently totally out in 2024. Yeah, I’m not kidding. There’s officially a misinformation movement on TikTok encouraging users to ditch the sun tan lotion and face those rays head-on. Why? No one is really sure, to be honest, but I’m going to try and break it down for you the best that I can.

Currently on TikTok, the term ‘anti sunblock’ has amassed an insane 7.1 million associated posts and, even more shockingly, during the month of May, data obtained by Glam revealed that Google searches for “Does sunscreen cause cancer” and “What causes cancer in sunscreen” have risen by 160 per cent and 70 per cent respectively. 

While some creators have begun sharing their personal experiences of not wearing sunscreen, a topic that already should set off alarm bells, others have even gone as far as to suggest that sun tan lotion itself can cause diseases and types of cancer—a thread of misinformation that is now plaguing TikTok.

@shannonfairweatherr

Replying to @aliyah avoid sunscreen & sunburns 👏🏼 #antisunscreen #naturalliving #fyp

♬ original sound - Shannon Fairweather
https://www.tiktok.com/@primalphysique/video/7290732660601769258?q=anti%20sunscreen&t=1719850336207

One particular influencer who seems to be leading the anti-sun tan lotion charge is Gubba Homestead, a wellness and natural skincare creator who has recently turned her social media platforms into a hub for commentary that warns of toxic ingredients lurking in sunscreen bottles.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gubba Homestead (@gubbahomestead)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gubba Homestead (@gubbahomestead)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gubba Homestead (@gubbahomestead)

Homestead has an incredibly large and engaged fanbase, with 1.3 million followers on Instagram and regular videos that reach audiences of over 500,000 people. The whole ‘X is a scam’ spiel is kind of her speciality.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gubba Homestead (@gubbahomestead)

In one of Homestead’s specific pieces of content on this topic, she captioned the video: “I don’t wear sunscreen, and I never will. We blame the sun for cancer when we should be blaming our diets. But if we cleaned up our diets, how would Big Food and Big Pharma make their money? Sunscreen and a poor diet will make you sick. Sick people = $$$. Don’t be a pawn.”

Is sunscreen bad for you?

Now, I think it’s only right that we do our own research as some people seem so incredibly set on spreading the message that sun tan lotion is truly bad for you. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently confirmed that the science does not indicate that any sunscreen ingredients currently available in the US are harmful to human health.

Moreover, melanoma skin cancer is primarily caused by overexposure to Ultraviolet (UV) light and Cancer Research UK has stated that there will be a record 20,800 cases diagnosed this year, up from a yearly average of 19,300 between 2020 and 2022.

While the anti-sun tan lotion movement feels reminiscent of other misinformation campaigns we’ve seen spawn on TikTok, this one is noticeably more worrisome. My advice? Apply your sunscreen girlies, it’s important.

Keep On Reading

By Charlie Sawyer

It’s time we stop Gwyneth Paltrow from talking publicly about her unhealthy wellness practices

By Joseph Donica

The U.S. wellness industrial complex is more dangerous than it looks

By Charlie Sawyer

What is Mar-a-Lago face? Unpacking the beauty trend prompted by Donald Trump’s second term

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

The White House sparks outrage with ASMR video of shackled immigrants being deported

By Abby Amoakuh

A lawyer breaks down Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battles. Here’s the verdict

By Abby Amoakuh

Enough founder Katie White and experts debate whether self-swab DNA kits are a breakthrough or a risk to rape justice

By Abby Amoakuh

White women can’t just use the 4B movement to swear off men, they also need to hold each other accountable

By Charlie Sawyer

The 3 wildest fan theories about Severance season 2

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Trump launches his 2028 presidential campaign, ignoring constitutional limitations

By Abby Amoakuh

Trying to manifest your dream partner for 2025? Influencer-backed app To Be Magnetic says it can help

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Why are so many women dying in jail? Reports point to inadequate medical care and systemic neglect

By Abby Amoakuh

Amandla Stenberg faces colourism backlash for role in Children of Blood and Bone

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

From teen mum to Gen Z favourite, Angela Rayner is the icon politics needs

By Abby Amoakuh

The White Lotus star Sam Nivola speaks out about gay incest scene amid calls for boycott

By Charlie Sawyer

Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper accuses former soccer coach of sexual harassment in new docuseries

By Abby Amoakuh

Who would you call in case of an emergency? TikTokers contemplate their choice in new viral trend

By Charlie Sawyer

Gavin Casalegno cancelled? The Summer I Turned Pretty fans turn on him amid cast drama

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

From immigration to gender identity, Trump’s orders threaten an exclusionary future for the US

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Everything you need to know about Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans’ love triangle in Materialists

By Abby Amoakuh

Avery Woods slammed for vulgar and offensive remarks during podcast episode with Harry Jowsey