Misleading Sunscreen Cancer Claims Spread Online As Europe Swelters

As Europe swelters under record-breaking temperatures, misleading claims that sunscreen causes rather than protects against skin cancer are spreading online, but experts tell The Independent the evidence shows a very different story. One claim spreading across social media is that sunlight increases the body's production of Vitamin D, which fights cancer, while sunscreen is full of chemicals that cause cancer. Influencers and podcasters are urging people to ditch sunscreen, with one social media user saying that even if you wash your face, sunscreen stays on your skin and increases your chances of getting cancer.

However, experts told The Independent that these claims are misleading and there is no evidence that sunscreen increases the risk of skin cancer. The posts, amplified by viral hashtags across all platforms, are part of a long-running conspiracy theory that frequently resurfaces during periods of hot weather. According to TikTok, the hashtag has been banned since 2025, but similar claims continue to circulate across all social media platforms.