Sunscreens are widely recommended to prevent skin cancer, but scientists have questioned if using typical sunscreens really lowers cancer risk in real-world populations.

A large meta study that reviewed prior studies found that sunscreens do not appear to offer the protection against skin cancers that most of us believe. 

What Did the Study Do?

• The researchers reviewed 29 previous studies (mostly observational) plus one trial.
• Over 313,000 people were included in total.
• They looked for a connection between use of traditional sunscreen and the risk of getting:
  • Melanoma (the most dangerous skin cancer)
  • Non-melanoma skin cancers

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29620003/

What Did the Study Find?

• No clear protective effect: People who used sunscreen were not significantly less likely to get skin cancer than those who didn’t (odds ratio for any skin cancer: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.91–1.28).
• There was also no significant difference for melanoma (OR 1.10) or for non-melanoma types (OR 0.99).
• Older studies (before 1980) actually showed a higher risk in sunscreen users, possibly because early sunscreens blocked only sunburn, not the full range of damaging UV.
• From the early 1990s onward, the link between sunscreen use and skin cancer risk faded and became statistically insignificant.

What Does This Mean?

• According to this large summary, using traditional sunscreens has not been shown to reduce the chances of getting skin cancer in populations based on the studies analyzed up to 2018.
• The review does not show that sunscreen causes cancer, but also does not prove it helps prevent it as commonly expected.
• The researchers caution that real-world factors (like how well people apply sunscreen, the type of sunscreen, and how much time people spend in the sun because they feel protected) could affect the results.

Important Notes

• The study focused on real-world use and traditional sunscreen products—not new or specialized formulas.
• It did not analyze ideal use under lab conditions, just population behaviors.

In summary: This major 2018 review found no convincing evidence from population studies that using sunscreen as it’s typically used lowers your risk of skin cancer, though proper application and other factors may still matter123.

What Can You Do?

While traditional sunscreens might not provide the protection you desire there is plenty you can do and other reasons to avoid traditional sunscreens. 

Traditional chemical based sunscreens are toxic and have been demonstrated to be endocrine disruptors. This means they have been shown to interfere with hormonal production and balance. You don’t want that!

• Eliminate industrial seed oils from your diet. Many natural health medical doctors and others believe the high concentration of these oils in the diet contribute to sunburns. 

These oils contribute to inflammation. UV exposure from the sun causes oxidative stress and inflammation in the skin. High dietary consumption of linoleic acid from seed oils can amplify the inflammatory pathways and exacerbate skin damage. These Omega-6 fatty acids promote pro-inflammatory responses. 

• Industrial seed oils: soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, rapeseed oil.
• Develop a solar callus by starting out with short sun exposure and gradually increasing it. 
• Use mineral based sunscreens: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Oxide

About Dr. Berkowitz  

Dr. Bill Berkowitz is a dedicated chiropractor who brings reliability and depth to his practice at Life Chiropractic in western Nevada County. Focused on addressing chronic issues like low back pain, headaches, and anxiety, Dr. Berkowitz delivers patient-centered care rooted in proven methods without unnecessary extras.

Life Chiropractic, founded by Dr. Bill Berkowitz, offers reliable and results-driven chiropractic care for residents of western Nevada County. With a focus on foundational health solutions, the practice prioritizes quality and effectiveness to help clients achieve relief from chronic issues without unnecessary add-ons.

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