NEW YORK — A new study published in the journal PLOS Digital Health found that TikTok videos with the highest engagement levels frequently contained misinformation about sunscreen, even though most analyzed videos advocated for its use. Researchers from the University of Alberta in Canada conducted the analysis, which examined TikTok videos from the five most popular sunscreen-related hashtags.

The study indicated that 87% of nearly 1,000 analyzed TikTok videos promoted sunscreen use. "There were specific mentions that sunscreen has a hormone-disrupting potential, it was cancer-causing, contained carcinogens, it could taint your breast milk or contain microplastics," said Alessandro Marcon, lead study author and University of Alberta researcher. Marcon stated there is no indication that sunscreen exposes people to microplastics at higher levels than other daily sources. "When someone has a message that's directly related to a product that they're selling, you have to be extremely cautious about what that message is," said Marcon.

Much of sunscreen misinformation focuses on chemical sunscreens, which use chemical filters to absorb ultraviolet rays. The study authors stated that current scientific evidence does not indicate any ingredient widely used in chemical sunscreens, including oxybenzone, is harmful to health. "Both chemical and mineral sunscreens' ingredients are monitored and regulated by the FDA, which means they go through rigorous safety profiling and safety testing before they're allowed to be sold, even though they are over-the-counter products," said Dr. Molly Hales, dermatologist and researcher at the University of Chicago. Hales added, "A fair number of new patients that are coming to see me for their first skin check are surprised to hear that we do recommend applying daily sunscreen, including when you're not planning on maybe being out at a baseball game or on a hike or some other outdoor activity."

Skin cancer cases are increasing globally, and Dr. Marisa Garshick, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology and an American Academy of Dermatology fellow, reported an increase in basal and squamous cell skin cancer diagnoses in her younger patients. "95% of the misinformation can be attributed to social media," said Garshick. "I think that is what makes this social media situation so concerning, because this is where a lot of these teenagers are finding their information," she said. A survey revealed that one-third of Generation Z participants failed the American Academy of Dermatology's annual sun safety survey. Additionally, 36% of Generation Zers surveyed consider influencers their main source of skincare information, and 64% reported encountering sunscreen misinformation online. "The best sunscreen is the one you will use," said Garshick.