Sunscreen Prevents Skin Cancer

Misbar’s investigation found that there are two types of sunscreens: physical blockers and chemical blockers. Of the chemical blockers, some use oxybenzone, which may act as a hormone disruptor. This means that it could possibly disrupt the body’s natural hormone production process. However, there is no evidence that oxybenzone harms humans. It is not known to cause cancer.

Another reason that some believe that sunscreen causes cancer may be because there is a correlation between people who wear sunscreen regularly and people who have skin cancer. However, using meta-analysis of data, experts believe that this is because people who are prone to come down with skin cancer – those with light skin, freckles, and blonde or red hair – are also more likely to use sunscreen because they burn easily. 

Further, a multitude of studies indicate that using sunscreen actually prevents the three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. These cancers are all caused by damaging UV radiation from the sun’s rays. Sunscreen protects the skin from this radiation and thus prevents cancer.