Your Summer Sunscreen Refresher

Summary

Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Episode: "Your Summer Sunscreen Refresher"
Date: June 9, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Chasing Life focuses on sunscreens and summer skin protection. With summer in full swing, Dr. Sanjay Gupta dives into the essentials of choosing and using sunscreen, addressing common concerns about sun exposure, sunscreen types, their ingredients, potential safety issues, and how to best protect your skin from cancer and aging. Leading dermatology and environmental health experts join the discussion to offer science-backed insights.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Sunscreen Matters

• Protecting Skin Health:

  • Skin is the body's largest organ; sunscreen prevents skin cancer and photodamage ([02:12]).
  • Sunburn prevention is crucial both for now and for long-term health.
  • “[Sunscreen] can help prevent that organ, your skin, from developing cancer.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta ([02:17])

• Skin Cancer Fundamentals:

  • Dr. Rachel Neal explains the basics of UV radiation and skin cancer ([02:42]).
  • UV radiation, particularly UVB, causes mutations in skin cell DNA that can accumulate, leading to malignancy ([02:42]).
  • “If that mutation occurs in a gene that’s really important for DNA repair… eventually we tip our cells over and into forming into a skin cancer.” — Dr. Rachel Neal ([03:04])

• Types of Skin Cancer:

  • Main types: Melanoma (most dangerous), Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma ([03:53]).
  • Melanoma can spread beyond the skin and be deadly if not caught early.
  • “Melanoma… can spread to other organs… the other types we call keratinocyte cancers.” — Dr. Rachel Neal ([03:53])

• Premature Aging:

  • UVA and UVB both damage skin; UVA penetrates deeper, causing pigment changes and breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and thinning ([04:29]).

2. Understanding SPF & Choosing a Sunscreen

• SPF & Broad Spectrum:

  • SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures protection against UVB rays only ([04:29]).
  • Essential to choose 'broad spectrum' sunscreens for both UVA and UVB protection ([04:40]).
  • Diminishing returns above SPF 50—SPF 50 blocks 98% UVB, SPF 100 blocks 99% ([04:48]).

• Sunscreen Types: Mineral vs. Chemical:

  • Mineral sunscreens:

    • Main ingredients are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
    • Act as physical barriers that reflect UV rays; start working immediately.
    • Can leave a white cast but newer formulas reduce this ([05:26]).

  • Chemical sunscreens:

    • Absorb UV rays and convert them into heat.
    • Transparent and easy to apply but require time to absorb before being effective ([05:42]).

  • Notable quote:

    • “Mineral sunscreens—made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—sit on top of the skin, physically blocking the UV rays by reflecting them away.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta ([05:15])
    • “Chemical sunscreens... need some time to be absorbed before doing their job.” ([05:40])

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3. Safety of Ingredients in Sunscreen

• Public Concerns & FDA Review:

  • Growing concern about chemicals in sunscreens being absorbed into the body ([08:56], [09:07]).
  • The FDA is actively reviewing which ingredients are considered “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE) ([09:07]).
  • Of 16 previously approved ingredients, only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide remain on the GRASE list; 12 others, mainly in chemical sunscreens, are under further evaluation ([09:31]).

• Chemical Absorption & Hormonal Effects:

  • Recent findings: Sunscreen chemicals are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and can persist for weeks ([09:40]).

  • Increased sunscreen use (daily, frequent reapplication) has led to higher systemic exposure.

  • Some ingredients may act as endocrine disruptors, raising concerns among hormone experts ([10:55]).

  • Notable quote:

    • “The concern is that we don’t know enough about its safety... The FDA has standards for how much of these chemicals should be in our blood, and currently they can’t meet that standard of both safe and effective.” — Dr. Laura Vandenberg ([11:20])

  • Regulatory approach:

    • Dr. Vandenberg highlights the need for higher safety standards for products applied to adults and children ([12:03]).
    • “We want to know they’re safe, but we also want to know that they’re doing the job, because the job of sunscreens is really critical.” — Dr. Laura Vandenberg ([12:25])

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4. Practical Advice for Sunscreen Use

• Which sunscreen to choose?

  • Despite uncertainties, consistent sunscreen use is essential ([12:36]).
  • Apply enough (about a shot glass for the body, more for face), reapply every ~90 minutes, check expiration, avoid hot storage ([12:45]).
  • Use other protective measures: Seek shade during peak hours (10am–4pm), wear UPF clothing, hats, UV sunglasses, SPF lip balm ([13:03]).

• Ingredient-conscious consumers:

  • Refer to Environmental Working Group (EWG) annual report for recommended sunscreens ([13:21]).
  • “If you’re interested in ingredients, see the EWG’s annual report... link in our show notes.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta ([13:21])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Sunscreen can help prevent that organ—your skin—from developing cancer.”
  — Dr. Sanjay Gupta ([02:17])

• “If that mutation occurs in a gene that’s really important for DNA repair… we tip our cells over and into forming into a skin cancer.” — Dr. Rachel Neal ([03:04])

• “Melanoma… can spread beyond the skin. So if it’s not picked up early enough… it can have spread to other organs in the body.”
  — Dr. Rachel Neal ([03:53])

• “SPF only refers to protection against UVB rays—so you need to find broad spectrum.”
  — Dr. Sanjay Gupta ([04:40])

• “There are diminishing returns when going much higher than 50.”
  — Dr. Sanjay Gupta ([04:48])

• “If you use [sunscreen] as intended, which is what would make it effective, there’s a lot more of it that’s ending up in our bloodstream than we realized. And the concern is that we don’t know enough about its safety.”
  — Dr. Laura Vandenberg ([11:00])

• “For products we’re putting on the bodies of children, we want to know that they're safe.” — Dr. Laura Vandenberg ([12:14])

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Segment Guide & Timestamps

• Why sunscreen matters & types of skin cancer: 02:12 – 04:29
• SPF & choosing a sunscreen: 04:29 – 05:52
• Mineral vs. chemical sunscreens explained: 05:52 – 07:49
• FDA ingredient safety and chemical absorption: 08:48 – 12:03
• Practical sunscreen use tips: 12:36 – 13:21

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Summary Takeaways

• Use sunscreen daily for protection against cancer and aging.
• Prefer broad spectrum with SPF 30–50.
• Mineral (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) sunscreens are safest per current data.
• Chemical ingredients are under review; absorption is higher than previously thought.
• Apply generously and often; combine with shade and protective clothing.
• Ingredient concerns? See the EWG’s annual review.

This episode serves as an evidence-based, practical refresher for safe sun practices, empowering listeners to make informed skincare choices this summer.

Transcript

[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

Hey there. Welcome to Paging Dr. Gupta. This is the show, of course, where I get to answer your health questions. You know, Memorial Day is now in the rear view mirror and the official start of summer is shimmering just ahead. So no doubt plenty of us are going to be spending more time in the sun, and that means it's a good time to turn our attention to summer health concerns. And you have a lot of questions about this. So, Jennifer, what do we have first?

[Jennifer]

All right, Sanjay, up first, we have a couple of questions about sunscreens, namely whether mineral sunscreens are better than chemical sunscreens and whether certain ingredients should be avoided. What do you think?

[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

I have a lot of thoughts on this, Jennifer. People are going to be spending more time outdoors. Hikes, bike trips, festivals, backyard barbecues, pool parties, the beach. Preventing sunburn, taking care of your skin. Obviously a great idea, an important idea for now and for your future. So I'll tell you what you need to consider when buying sunscreen after this short break.

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[Jennifer]

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[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

back to Paging Dr. Gupta. To mark the unofficial start of summer, we went into our mailbag to tackle a sometimes slippery topic, sunscreens and what you should really consider when choosing one. First of all, quick reminder of why I talk about this topic so much, why wearing sunscreen is so important. Number one, your skin is your largest organ in your body, and sunscreen can help prevent that organ, your skin, from developing cancer.

[Dr. Rachel Neal]

Skin cancer is caused by exposing the cells in the skin to UV radiation and particularly uv. So UV radiation comes in different flavours, so to speak. So those most harmful rays cause skin cancer by causing mutations in the DNA in our cells. So if you get one, it's generally not a Big problem. But what happens if that mutation occurs in a gene that's really important for DNA repair, for example? So our cells are not so good at DNA repair. And then we get another mutation, and then we potentially get another mutation. And then eventually we tip our cells over and into forming into a skin cancer.

[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

That was Dr. Rachel Neal, a principal research fellow at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia. She has been studying skin cancer for about 30 years. And spoke to my colleague Meg Tirrell on this show a couple summers ago. Dr. Neal's research in the 1990s and early 2000s. Really helped establish that sunscreen is effective at reducing skin cancer rates, including for the most deadly kind.

[Dr. Rachel Neal]

So there are three main types of skin cancer. The one that's most dangerous is melanoma. And people do die from melanoma every year because it can spread beyond the skin. So if it's not picked up early enough, then by the time it's diagnosed, it can have spread to other organs in the body. And then we've got these other types of skin cancer. So these are squamous cell carcinoma and BAS cell carcinoma. And collectively, we call them keratinocyte cancers. Because they arise from a type of cell called a keratinocyte in the skin.

[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

Now, importantly, Dr. Neal said that sunscreen helps guard against some of the most deadly skin cancers by both preventing those blistering sunburns that can be common in childhood. And also reducing lifetime exposure to UVB radiation. Now, the second reason sunscreen is a good idea is that it protects you from premature signs of aging, such as wrinkles and brown spots. You see, the thing is, UVA and UVB rays can both damage cells on the top layer of skin. And that can lead to red, rough, and scaly patches, which can get worse over time. UVA rays, in particular, can penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin, Damaging the cells that are responsible for giving you a tan. They are called melanocytes. And what happens is you might get hyperpigmentation, brown spots, sometimes called age or liver spots. Uva, incidentally, also breaks down elastin and collagen. Those are proteins that live in the even deeper layers of the skin. And that's what causes the loss of elasticity, wrinkling, and thinning of the skin. Now, that takes us to sunscreens. Most, if not all, sunscreens have what is known as an SPF number on the label. This stands for sun protection factor. The higher the number, the better the protection. But Importantly, SPF only refers to protection against UVB rays. So it's important to look for broad spectrum sunscreens, which protect against both UVA and uvb. Okay, you got that? So SPF only refers to protection against UVB rays, so you need to find broad spectrum. Also choose a sunscreen with a high enough SPF for your skin coloring for the time of year for your planned activities. But generally speaking, experts say there are diminishing returns when going much higher than 50. Because when you get an SPF of 50, that essentially is blocking 98% of UVB rays, that's compared to a sunscreen with an SPF of 100, which blocks out about 99%. So just about a percent more. Now, I want to say a couple words about ingredients. There's been a lot of attention on this lately, and you may have heard that sunscreens come in two basic chemical sunscreens and mineral sunscreens. Now, mineral sunscreens are made with either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and they sit on top of the skin. So they're sort of physically blocking the UV rays by reflecting them away. They're usually opaque and can leave a white cast. They can be a bit sticky. Newer formulations may minimize those effects. Now, these types of mineral sunscreens start working right away. Chemical sunscreens, they essentially absorb the UV rays, convert it into heat, and then dissipate it from the skin. They are usually transparent and easier to apply. But importantly, they need some time to be absorbed by the skin before doing their job. Since chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, there is also some concern about certain ingredients getting into the bloodstream. So how concerned should you be about that? We'll tell you right after the break.

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[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

Let's go. All right. I hear another question coming in. Jennifer is back. What do we have next?

[Jennifer]

We have a few callers here who are worried about the ingredients in chemical sunscreens. They're wondering about how much of that gets into our bodies and what it might be doing.

[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

The U.S. food and Drug Administration is looking at the amount and the safety of the ingredients being absorbed into our bodies through some of these sunscreens. But that's going to take a while to get some answers. Over the last several years, the agency has made a few changes to which active ingredients are generally regarded as safe and effective, something known as grace. So 16 ingredients used to be on this list. Two were pulled off due to safety concerns, something known as faba, Faba and trolamine salicylate. Two are still on the list, meaning they are generally recognized as safe and effective. And those are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Those are the ones in mineral sunscreens. Twelve others still need more data to be considered safe and effective. And you may be wondering, why am I just hearing about this? Why has the FDA begun the process of reevaluating ingredients in sunscreens that for a long time have been thought to be safe and effective? Well, two big shifts happened since sunscreens were first evaluated in the 1970s. First of all, scientists didn't know that chemicals in these sunscreens were actually getting absorbed in any significant amount, that they were getting absorbed through our skin and then circulating in our body, sometimes even staying in the bloodstream for a couple of weeks. We know that now. Also, the way we use sunscreens has changed. We no longer just dab a little bit on our noses at the height of summer. For many of us, it's become a daily part and an important part of our skincare routine. As a result, many of us are using much more of it. We're reapplying it much more frequently. And that's something that makes dermatologists happy, but at the same time may worry some endocrinologists, doctors who study hormones.

[Dr. Laura Vandenberg]

If you use it as intended, which is what would make it effective, there's a lot more of it that's ending up in our bloodstream than we realized. And the concern is that we don't know enough about its safety. So what the FDA has asked the manufacturers of these chemicals and really these products to do is to do studies where the sunscreen would be used as intended and then see how much of these chemicals end up in the bloodstream, because the FDA has standards for how much of these chemicals should be in our blood. And currently they can't meet that standard of both safe and effective.

[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

That was Dr. Laura Vandenberg, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, talking on the podcast a couple of years ago. She studies how hormones impact the body and she became interested in how some sunscreen ingredients can affect that process. In other words, could some of these ingredients be what are known as endocrine disruptors? And you might be surprised to know that those 12 chemicals that we just talked about, the ones that are not generally recognized as safe and effective, many of them are still in use today.

[Dr. Laura Vandenberg]

You know, I spent a lot of my career criticizing the way that regulatory agencies make decisions. I think we should actually give them credit when they can acknowledge that what they thought before, there isn't enough evidence to support it. In this case, I think that really what they're doing is signaling that there isn't enough evidence to say that they're dangerous. But that's not the standard that we should have for products that we're putting all over our body. For products we're putting on the bodies of children. We want to know that they're safe, but we also want to know that they're doing the job because the job of sunscreens is really critical.

[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

So what does that mean for you? Well, the experts say no matter which type of sunscreen you choose, chemical or mineral, it's important to just make sure to actually use it. Make it a part of your daily routine. Also remember to get the full benefit, you have to put on enough sunscreen, which is probably more than you think about a shot glass full for your body and more even for your face. And you have to reapply it as directed, which could be as frequently as every 90 minutes. Make sure it's not expired. Don't store it in a very hot place like the glove box of your car. Also, keep in mind there should be other things you're doing to protect your skin. Avoid direct sun exposure during peak times 10am to 4pm Seek out shade under a tree or a beach umbrella. Wear clothing with ultraviolet protection factor. Wear a hat. And don't forget about protecting your eyes with UV blocking sunglasses and your lips with an SPF containing lip balm. Now if you're interested in those ingredients that we were just talking about, you can see which sunscreens are recommended in the annual report of the Environmental Working Group or ewg. That's a non profit health and environmental advocacy organization. And we put a link to their latest report in our show notes. And that's our show for today. Keep the questions coming. If there's something health related you've been wondering about, send it to us and we might answer it next week. Record a voice memo, email it to pagingdr.gupta.com that's paging Dr.gupta.com or give us a call 470-396-0832 and leave a message. Thanks for listening and join us on Friday.

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[Dr. Sanjay Gupta]

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