Is Sunscreen Safe? Let’s Talk About the SPF Controversy
Lately, sunscreen has been getting a lot of heat online — and not just from the sun. If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or wellness threads recently, you’ve probably seen people warning against using SPF, calling it toxic, or even claiming it messes with your hormones.
Wild, right?
So, let’s break it down. Is sunscreen actually bad for you? Or is this just another case of the internet doing what it does best — freaking everyone out?
The Ingredient Everyone’s Freaking Out About: Oxybenzone
If you've heard anything scary about sunscreen, chances are it's about oxybenzone. It's a chemical that helps protect your skin from UV rays, which sounds great… except it’s gotten a really bad rep.
People say it:
Disrupts hormones
Soaks into your bloodstream
Destroys coral reefs
Sounds terrifying, right? But here’s the thing — most of that fear is based on either animal studies with huge doses or lab setups that don’t reflect real-world use. Just because something is absorbed doesn’t automatically mean it’s harmful. (Coffee gets absorbed too, and we still line up for it every morning.)
What the Experts Say
Let’s be clear: if oxybenzone were super dangerous, we wouldn’t still be allowed to buy it in our drugstore sunscreens.
The FDA hasn’t banned it — they just want more data on long-term, high-exposure use. Totally fair.
Dermatologists? They still recommend SPF with or without oxybenzone.
The American Academy of Dermatology says not using sunscreen is way riskier than any of these ingredient worries.
In short: the people who study skin for a living are not panicking.
But What About the Coral Reefs?
Good question. Some places — like Hawaii — have banned sunscreens with oxybenzone because of concerns about coral reefs. But here’s what’s important: most reef damage comes from climate change, warming oceans, and pollution. Sunscreen is way down the list.
Still, if you want to be cautious or eco-friendly, “reef-safe” sunscreens are super easy to find. Look for ones with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide — they’re great for your skin and the sea.
Bottom Line: Don’t Skip the Sunscreen
Here’s the real talk: skin cancer is very real, and SPF is one of the best ways to prevent it. So yeah, while it’s smart to be aware of what you’re putting on your skin, letting sunscreen fear keep you from protecting yourself? That’s not the move.
If you're still unsure about ingredients like oxybenzone, there are tons of great mineral sunscreens out there. But please, please don’t go without SPF — your future self (and your dermatologist) will thank you.