• Compared to other generations, Gen Z may face a higher risk of skin cancer.
• Recent surveys from the American Academy of Dermatology have highlighted prominent misinformation and worrying behaviors among Gen Z related to sun protection.
• Medical misinformation spread online and through social media has been identified as a driver of indifference to skin cancer risk.

A recent Forbes article estimates that some members of Gen Z spend up to $2,000 a year on beauty products.

However, with social media influencers hawking plumping serums and peptide creams, one crucial item seems to be missing from Gen Z’s aesthetic toolkit: sunscreen.

Greater awareness and interest in healthy skin apparently haven’t translated into understanding the inherent risks of sun exposure. Two recent surveys from the American Academy of Dermatology reveal sobering statistics about Gen Z’s skin cancer risk.

According to a 2024 survey, more than half of Gen Z adults were “unaware of one or more sunburn risks,” and while over half of Americans earned high marks for sun protection knowledge, nearly one in three Gen Zers received failing grades.

This month, the AAD released findings from another national survey, revealing more troubling news:

• 10% of Gen Zers reported sunburns severe enough to cause blisters
• 37% were unaware of the risks associated with tanning Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source
• Two-thirds said they often forget to apply sunscreen
• Only one-third said they believe skin cancer prevention is the most important reason to use sunscreen.

Some Gen Z respondents also said they prioritize getting a tan over protecting their skin — a beauty preference that may undermine long-term health.

To explore this important issue, Healthgrades spoke with two board certified dermatologists about three reasons Gen Z may be at greater risk for skin cancer — and what doctors can do about it.

“Gen Z tends to consume much of their health information via social media, where content is often driven by engagement rather than accuracy. Unfortunately, that means misinformation can spread more quickly than expert guidance,” said Veena Vanchinathan, MD, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist who practices in the Bay Area, California.

Surveys consistently show that younger adults rely on social media, especially TikTok, for wellness and health advice, despite the fact that medical misinformation is widespread on these platforms.

With a constant flood of medical content online, it can be difficult for some people to tell what’s credible and what’s not.

Sa Rang Kim, MD, assistant professor of dermatology and dermatologic surgery at Yale University, told Healthgrades that teaching patients to recognize red flags can help combat online misinformation.

Beyond verifying the medical credentials of influencers posing as experts, viewers should also question their tone and motivation:

“Be wary of sensational language like ‘Derms hate this sunscreen hack’ or ‘all sunscreen is toxic.’ If someone is aggressively pushing a product without explaining the science behind it or without transparency about sponsorships, that’s also a sign to be cautious,” she said.

Social media has also led to dangerous fads like “UV Index Tanning,” which encourages people to tan while the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) index is high.

“UV Index Tanning is extremely harmful because it encourages intentional exposure to the sun when UV radiation is at its peak,” said Vanchinathan. 

She tells patients to pay attention to the UV index, but not so they can get a tan: “I encourage my patients to check the UV Index on a frequent basis, especially during the summer time, but for the opposite reason – I counsel them to avoid sun exposure when the UV Index is high.”

Despite many misconceptions, such as using the UV index, tanning is a popular beauty activity for Gen Z. 

More than a quarter of Gen Z respondents told the AAD that they “prioritize getting a tan over protecting their skin, with 25% saying they felt it was “worth looking great now even if it means looking worse later.”

That belief is borne out in other statistics, too: 70% reported tanned or darker skin at the time of the 2024 survey.

“One of the myths I’ve seen is the idea that ‘tanning is safe as long as you don’t burn.’ Indoor tanning has been linked to an increased risk of skin cancers. UV radiation — whether from the sun or indoor tanning — can lead to mutations in skin cells that increase your risk of skin cancer,” said Kim.

The damage of chasing darker skin with repeated tanning sessions adds up over time, too.

“While our bodies can repair some of that damage, over time, the system reaches a threshold. The tan fades, but the damage stays,” she said.

More than half of Gen Z adults also reported believing that having a base tan protects against sunburns, another common myth.

“This is not only false — it’s dangerous. There is no such thing as a safe tan. Any tan is actually a sign of DNA damage to the skin,” said Vanchinathan.

Compared to other generations of Americans, Gen Zers are more indifferent to using sunscreen. The AAD found they were more likely to forget to put it on, and respondents in the 2024 survey said they were less likely to use it unless nagged by others.

Combine that with a greater interest in tanning and shifting attitudes that indicate a greater interest in beauty now versus skin health later, and the unsurprising result is less usage overall.

Sunscreen, a staple of American medicine cabinets for decades, has also been the target of misinformation online. Some common myths include:

• Sunscreen causes skin cancer
• Sunscreen doesn’t actually protect against skin cancer
• Sunscreen is poisonous
• People with darker skin don’t need to wear sunscreen
• Natural oils and “homemade” sunscreens can replace sunscreen

Even when individuals do use sunscreen, it’s common for it to be used incorrectly.

“The most common mistake is using too little. Most people apply less than half the recommended amount. Other mistakes include missing key areas like the ears, lips, and back of the neck,” said Kim.

Be wary of other cosmetic products that tout themselves as sunscreens, too.

“Relying only on makeup or moisturizer with SPF usually isn’t enough protection on its own,” she added.

Kim and Vanchinathan also offered helpful tips to discuss skin cancer risk with younger adults, based on interactions in their own practices.

At the top of the list is framing discussions around prevention in ways that are meaningful to patients’ everyday lives, not as some distant, far-off goal.

“We need to meet Gen Z where they are, and that means focusing on what matters to them today, not just what might happen decades from now. Talking about sun protection as a way to prevent wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin tone can be far more motivating than long-term cancer risk,” said Kim.

Vanchinathan adds that focusing on small changes and goals to routine and behavior can help to break down prevention into meaningful, actionable steps with real health benefits.

She advises patients to “Start by making sunscreen part of your daily routine—just like brushing your teeth.”

Vanchinathan added she tells patients, “You don’t need to be perfect, but being consistent will go a long way in reducing your risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging over time.”