Scientist Reacts: Sunscreen is a LIE?! (Style Theory)

[@sassycatenthusiast]

“Tanning is skin cells in trauma” omg you just unlocked a memory for me 😂

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

authorisedbytheaustraliangovernmentcanberra

[@sassycatenthusiast]

@@LabMuffinBeautyScience you better believe I read that in *the voice* haha

[@Bunnyybooo]

@@LabMuffinBeautySciencethat commercial was insane to watch as an American because I immediately recognized it as the same animation as our anti cigarette commercials they showed when I was a kid

[@GenderIsAnIllusion]

OMG SAME, I dont rlly remember the ad or anything until i heard the voice and then it clicked

[@peterfilipovic]

Completely pseudo-scientific statement.

[@SonjaHamburg]

They should make "all natural" sunscreen out of ASBESTOS! It's natural and easy to pronounce, so it must be good!

[@iceteeize]

Let’s not forget cyanide! Easy to pronounce and can be found in almonds and flaxseeds! Natural and good ❤

[@EchoObserver9]

@@iceteeize You can also take a dive in the natural sulfur hot springs! For that cleansing crystal blue water! Does wonders to your skin (what is left of it)

[@HeavenlyEchoVirus]

Let’s do the lead make up trend again like our all-knowing ancestors did centuries ago.

[@SonjaHamburg]

I have so many friends who would buy that! When mainstream medicine says it's bad, it can only be good!

[@SonjaHamburg]

Especially when it was called "Raw Asbestos"!

[@lekiscool]

I think what hinders the Theory crew is that they have to straddle the line with entertaining the masses and inserting the necessary science. A lot of the time when watering down the science you end up truncating a proper explanation for this “keeping view retention” because ultimately the Theory audience might only be there for the wacky stuff. This is why there are channels like this who are known for an CAN go in depth into the science.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Agree, I think it makes sense that they withhold some of the technical details for their genre, and end up repeating some of the really widespread myths - if I was a casual sunscreen user, I wouldn't think to question the AAD or the NOAA websites!

[@GogiRegion]

I feel like the Game Theory channel used to be significantly more scientific long before the added channels.

[@TheGrossDemon]

I like the balance we get with game theory giving us the wackiness and channels like this following up on the science. Tho hard agree with the other comment, I miss when GT was more scientific,but I can see why they would "dumb things down" for a wider audicance to enjoy.

[@loviebeest]

@@TheGrossDemon the thing is that with game theory if they get some out of whack science or weird lore it doesn't really effect anything because it's about a game. But with the other channels they tackle real life stuff were misinformation has actual consequences. Like in food theory where they were talking about the pink sauce and that it doesn't have an emulsifier and shouldn't be trusted. It really made the reputation of the pink sauce worse, aside from the labeling problem. The channel "how to cook that" actually did tests with the ingredients that are in the pink sauce, one of them is dragonfruit powder which is an emulsifier. The owner of that channel is a food scientist and she actually warns people about more dangerous stuff that can be found online.

[@TheGrossDemon]

@@loviebeest I'm Only really speaking on Game Theory. I totally see what you're saying tho. Hopefully with more of the work being given to more people they'll be able to do better with their research.

[@cicooooooo]

I think its crazy how there is still a debate about sunscreen being more toxic that LITERAL BURNS FROM RADIATION. As a very pale person ( skin colour: milk ), i cant count how often my ears and nose have gotten blisters because I forgot sunscreen and I could pull the skin off days later ( my nose is now very sensitive to cold and is just one big scar ). I get burns after being out for 20min, my grandpa died of skin cancer in his 60s because he didnt use sunscreen. It just makes me so mad how misinformation gets spread just because most people dont suffer consequences right away.

[@Hair8Metal8Karen]

I'm the same. I apply sunscreen repeatedly and can still get burned to the point I turn purple. So I'm very much a sunscreen warrior!

[@lao-ce8982]

Maybe the issue lies in that you don't get direct sunshine either. Don't get me wrong, sunscreen is awesome and I do advocate using an SPF 50 when on the beach or longer period in between 11 and 16 hours. But not like all the time, that's an awful lot of chemicals that your skin gets to absorb and again, you rarely let your skin get hit by direct sunshine hence there is no natural protection/ melanin production. And you just get burned all the time.

[@cicooooooo]

@@lao-ce8982I get where you are coming from but I tried to get tan but my skin just peels and as my grandpa died of skin cancer, I am just not willing to get the experience.

[@twizzlytwist]

@@lao-ce8982 Bruh you're dumb

[@ssebasgoo]

​@@lao-ce8982They are tons of homemade sunscreen on the internet. If you don't want chemicals, it's not more expensive to make your own sun screen. And it's easy, you just have to mix the ingredients in a bowl and voilà : homemade sunscreen.

[@jonathandasilveira4013]

I still find it weird to see someone talking about using these tanning beds. Here in Brazil they have been banned since 2009, as there is no way of determining a safe level of exposure to UV rays, which can cause skin cancer.

[@daniellelopez3342]

They are still pretty popular in America. I used to do it as a teen.

[@valxria3529]

They actually have them at certain gyms even, like Planet Fitness

[@StarOnTheWater]

Omg I have so much prejudice, I thought everyone in Brazil was roasting in the sun to be as tanned as possible. 😅

[@SashimiJo]

I’m from Italy. Some people here have tried to convince me that I need tanning beds. Obviously, it’s the same people who go above and beyond to obtain extremely tanned skin. They can’t understand how or why I don’t feel the need to change my skin color to fit some unhealthy beauty standards.

[@devforfun5618]

@@StarOnTheWater i mean, many are doing that in the sun, not artifical tanning beds, if they are getting cancer at least it is for free in their rooftops, the market is more focused on tanning lotions, which can also involve chemicals that make it more dangerous while making the tan faster

[@HeavenlyEchoVirus]

Girls in my middle school (2002-2006) would go to the tanning salon after school and put a small heart sticker on their hip that would stay pale. I was confounded at how their parents allowed their children to bake in an oven, I couldn’t believe they could be that ignorant. We were 12-14 year olds!

[@sillygoose420]

that….is illegal??? that’s shocking to me tbh. you have to be 18 to go in a tanning bed, i don’t think parental permission can surpass that. maybe back then it wasn’t illegal yet but that tanning salon is fucked up for allowing that tbh

[@msjkramey]

My mom actually has been trying to get me to go to tanning beds for YEARS, but especially when I was younger, like middle school and high school. The only thing that made me consider it was those tanning stickers! I thought they were so cool. Thankfully, I was a little emo/scene kid, so I wanted to stay pale and never gave into that pressure. (I also heard how dangerous the were, but let's be honest: I was a kid and mostly concerned about the asthetic)

[@ockertoustesizem1234]

@@sillygoose420 which country

[@angelsnaiilz]

@@msjkrameythis is so real

[@Usagi1017]

In UK, girls in that age spray tan (from supermarket) and it is so sad....

[@dianeparks9475]

I am 79. Just left the derm and had a biopsy of upper lip. Wear your sunscreen folks! 😮

[@lushdontu4015]

I hope I can live as long as you

[@jenniferarmstrong8879]

The bit about UV damaging folate and evolution is really neat. Folate is important for women to take a prenatal vitamin because it prevents neural tube defects. Women’s bodies that were better at holding onto folate would definitely have a reproductive advantage

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Right? I only thought to look it up recently doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0349

[@jenxsj3902]

Michelle, I am by your side as a sunscreen warrior. I have used sunscreen for the past 30 years and i am so happy with my skin. I love it. It does work and i am healthy. ❤

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Sunscreen fans unite! 🙌 It's somehow still so underrated as a skincare product - the number of people who use expensive serums but no sunscreen makes me sad

[@padung6018]

Started using lotions with spf 50 when I was in 20s because it was the cheapest sun protection I could find in my country. I'm now 36 and the wrinkles only shows on my eyes when I'm smiling. I only started using moisturizer and serum five years ago, and I think the sunscreen is the one that who does the heavy lifting overall.

[@Kai-oc4wz]

​@@LabMuffinBeautyScience3:53 sd🎉 😅de

[@Kai-oc4wz]

​@@LabMuffinBeautyScienceter

[@MatheusFerreira-mu6lu]

If theres ONE skincare product that literally saves your life and promotes health it's sunscreen...

[@reddeadandangryatcapitalism]

I'm a redhead, 42 and I wear sunscreen everyday, even in winter. (I really like the natio for the face for under make up, but I don't have any knowledge about the white cast issue with my skin tone, so no idea if it has that problem). My Dad has a giant skin graft on his forehead from skincancer treatment and I don't want it to be me. I remember all the sunsmart campaigns in Australia from the 80's and 90's and I think we need another round. Sun protection is sooo critical and it makes me sad to see people undermining such good education. I also can't recommend enough something called a 'stinger suit'. It's basically a wetsuit shaped garment made of uv 50 rated lycra and covers everything except your face, hands and feet, but it's not thick like a wetsuit. Best thing for comfortable swimming sun protection and also projects against blue bottle stings.

[@Call-me-Al]

As a non-Australian, I always love hearing about what awesome UPF gear you guys have. I definitely need to buy some for summer because while I'm meticulous about sunscreen (all year around), with my too sickly sensitive skin it would make more sense to use more reusable stuff and keep the SPF for the few exposed bits.

[@BlueRaven73]

​@@Call-me-Al we even have swimwear of various styles and rash vests that are uv protective. Like all kids bathers have that feature. I also get so confused by "trendy" kids bathers (eg. Bikini style) , like, your two year olds skin is so sensitive and you are trying to make them "look cute". Bit of a side track but people really just need to wear more at the beach and pool, then sunscreen is a bit less of an issue.

[@elizabethtreat]

Sunscreen "counts as personal protective equipment for people working in the sun" blew my mind. I work on a farm and never considered sunscreen in that light. I've been trying to do better the past few years, but I still struggle with reapplication when I'm sweaty, dirty, and needing to sit and eat during our lunch break :/

[@Fridelain]

Do check out SPF clothing and other apparel. Covering your neck in particular is often neglected.

[@major088]

Have u tried stick sunscreens? They're easy to use on the go

[@d.on.in.a]

Watch Michelle's video on sunscreen sticks, they're not that great ​@@major088

[@BladeRedwind]

I really hope Mat sees this. I don't know that he has much time these days to look at stuff outside of FNAF, but if he did a follow up that'd be really great.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Yes he seems super busy! But hope he sees this and knows to keep an eye on his moles (or maybe he already knows) 😥

[@BladeRedwind]

😭 YES! No moles or skin cancer for Matpat!!

[@maeannengo4908]

I hope Matpat watches this since he did a response to Ann Reardon's video response to Food Theory's Milk Video

[@JustSkram]

Nope. He's infamous for ignoring worry/critique or even bitting back with "it's all for fun, quit looking into it".

[@faizahmohammedaruwa]

​@@JustSkramliterally the comment above yours just proved otherwise 😂

[@Barb6106]

I only wish I had known. I’m over 70.. fair and I tanned (and burned) as a child living in Hawaii. Fast forward..just finished my 3rd skin cancer surgery where slices were taken off the tip of my nose followed by plastic reconstructive surgery. The pain of 9 shots in your nose.. well I think you get the picture. Anyone who takes chances is insane. I had squamous cell, which can spread..so I’m lucky I got it when I did. People say they don’t want cancer BUT!…. But what??? The RIDICULOUS “dangers” of sunscreen? Our sunscreens in this country are woefully lacking the brilliance of other countries. I’d pack my suitcase full if I was traveling! Keep pounding the drum, Michelle-Only problem is you are smart. People only seem to want to listen to some yahoo like mayo man. Love your channel.

[@Tree-House69]

I love the saying of "mayo man", I'm sorry you've gone through this but am glad you're still around to talk about it all, I'm glad I never got into sun burning myself due to how pale I am.

[@Barb6106]

@@Tree-House69 lucky you! Seriously.. 80-90% of skin aging is from the sun… you are blessed!!💕

[@mystrength5640]

So Sorry! 💐

[@Qute12u]

I always feel about 2 notches smarter after these type of videos haha. Love sunscreen scienceeee

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

That's really lovely to hear, thank you! ❤

[@JohnSmith-gf6jt]

9:24 as a taxonomist I love this inter-disciplinary beef, rise up taxonomists against Lab Muffin Beauty Science for the superiority of OUR naming systems!!!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

*fights you in IUPAC*

[@Delightedly]

I am very late to this game but am laughing now that taxonomy is shifting to try to use languages from an organisms endemic range. Chem is so standardized, but taxonomy with its constant changes does make things harder! I am looking at you ex Brachypelma albopilusus turned Tliltocatl albopilosus 😮‍💨 Native naming is important and necessary but I’m lighting a candle here for every time I remember to switch it up mid convo and suddenly go from educated zoologist to child learning to read.

[@margodphd]

Please fix spider phylogenetic tree will ya 👀

[@michelletidler6773]

I was born in the late 60s and even in the 80s there was nothing or no one who educated us here in the states on spf. The tanning beds came in the 80s and we were all baking in them and also laying out in the sun with babyoil and iodine mixture. I work in beauty and cringe when I see my customers (mostly older ones) that are still tanning in the sun and/or not wearing sunscreen. Again, you have to understand that here in the states we had no one telling us older generations to use sunscreen as we really had none anyway. I baked my skin until I was about 41 and now am so diligent about sunscreen everyday. Even if theres a blizzard outside and Im not leaving my house Im slathering it on.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

It's mindblowing how much more we know about sun damage now! And it's really disappointing how the awareness seems to have gone backwards int the last ~15 years...

[@ErinFromSydney]

I remember that young lady, Clare Oliver, who bravely stood up in the media against tanning beds in Australia as she was battling skin cancer. She was such a courageous woman and I feel she was instrumental in the ban of tanning beds. We are in her debt. RIP Clare

[@ilovemydog879]

I generally enjoy the theory channels. When I saw their sunscreen video, I did spot some of the issues you mentioned. But I was happy to see that the general conclusion was “wear sunscreen and sun-protective gear like hats”. Sometimes they do videos, answering or correcting previous videos. So maybe they’ll do a video about this and correct some of the issues you pointed out.

[@vivianloney]

Thank you for mentioning zinc oxide as an aquatic pollutant! Zinc is a heavy metal and at high enough concentrations is toxic to phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are so vital to our oceans and our atmosphere! Not that sunscreen use is a major contributor of zinc pollution compared to like, car emissioms and coal power plants. But people's biases also lead to fear of environmental contaminants they can't pronounce regardless of what is of actual concern. It's not that different from clean beauty actually.

[@nitzeart]

In related topics, I've read/heard news recently of research using melanin or melanin-like pigments in sunscreen for better protection (particularly for austronauts who also have to deal with other types of radiation aside from UV). Of course it's only in the "look at this cool science thing we found!" stage. But I found it so interesting. (I've also been wondering about how other animals have built-in genes for sun protection and how it could relate to the way we make sunscreens.) I have nothing to add, as it's not my field but I found it so interesting and I thought you might like to know about it. New generations of sunscreens, in like 3 decades, maybe?

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I saw that too, so interesting - if I remember correctly the active moiety was quite small which was surprising, and does open the doors to new sunscreens maybe? But I'm also thinking if the moiety is that small, it might’ve already been explored in industry and rejected, I feel like the big chemical companies are the masters of high throughput screening... but who knows!

[@wallflower6942]

What do you mean by animals built in genes for sun protection? You mean fur?

[@simonsaysism]

The NIOD product Survival 0 is an antioxidant serum meant to be worn under sunscreen, and it contains melanin. The product description says: "While melanin within the skin protects from many forms of environmental assault, its potency is limited with respect to High Energy Visible (HEV) light. Survival includes a fractionated form of melanin that is tailored specifically to absorb light in the range of 400-500 nm wavelengths."

[@SueRosalie]

animals get skin cancer too. My cat that had a pink nose got melanoma there and died. Sun bears at zoos are prone to skin cancer and have sunscreen applied to them every day.

[@HeavenlyEchoVirus]

@@SueRosalieplus all the animals that use their own version of sunscreen-mud!

[@Ryanneey]

I wish tanning beds weren't such a popular thing when I was younger. I remember doctors recommending them if you suffered from SAD or Vitamin D deficiency 😮

[@maeannengo4908]

I've always thought that body sunscreen cannot be used of the face. @13:38 Thank you for this revelation.

[@SueRosalie]

same as moisturisers, it's just marketing, you only need one for the whole body

[@maeannengo4908]

@@SueRosalie :-O

[@Ay-xq7mj]

One big exception is privates/armpits. Skin is extremely sensitive and porous to drugs/chemicals.

[@StardustAnlia]

What always gives me a sunburn on the beach is when I play in the sand and the reapplied sunscreen can't get through the layer of sand stuck to my skin. When I was little, I thought it was sand abrasion instead of a sunburn. Even at 28, I think sand is almost as fun to sculpt as snow.

[@MsPuppydogeyes]

I work in agriculture (in France) and something that irritates me is that sunscreen is not considered ppe so my employer doesn’t have to pay for it. It’s also not covered by the universal health care (social security) system we have so I have to pay for my sunscreen. I shell out 40 euros a month for sunscreen, which is a lot of money when you make only 8 euros an hour…

[@20NewJourney23]

I'm allergic to the sun. If I took care of myself propertly I'd be covered in sunscreen from 6am until 8pm during the spring, summer, and early fall. I cannot afford that. I'm disabled, and care for my flock of chicks and ducks, and my dogs. I cannot pay $15 for a bottle of sunscreen that lasts about on week, let alone 4x that per month! I don't get any money per month besides what little I manage to sell from my eggs in a town that has many people selling their farm fresh eggs. I basically have to hide out all summer and make quick trips out to the chickens a few times daily. It's awful.

[@l.c.8475]

24:00 that actually explains why the only sunscreen I can wear on my face without it stinging, swelling and causing tears is the cheap local grocery store brand mineral sunscreen. I also react to a bunch of other skin care ingredients, which is why I've definitely had full mineral sunscreens that made my face swell, but it would explain why I react to sunscreen from brands where the lotions are safe to use for me.

[@nitzeart]

Yeah that style theory video isn't the worst compared to other content out there but... still spreading some myths, oversimplified science and I fear for his skin after that bed tanning. At least he advised people to wear sunscreen and other forms of sun protection 😅

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Agree! Overall the message was great, and if it stops some people from doing DIY sunscreen tests then it's a net positive for total skin damage too I guess? The myth density was honestly really good compared to a lot of articles in respectable newspapers (and even maybe the AAD website)...

[@diamondinmyeye6160]

Yeah, they cited the EWG on the "makeup is poison??!?!" episode. I hope they find some more scientific sources.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

@diamondinmyeye6160 Not the EWG!!! 💀

[@diamondinmyeye6160]

@@LabMuffinBeautyScience Yep, I yelled into the ether of their comments section for that one. Hopefully they see this video and you get on their radar.

[@walnutsrcool]

I personally choose mineral because the chemical sunscreen can get in my eye and give me a migraine and sting for hours even after lots and lots of rinsing, it’s definitely ruined a holiday or 2, but I know it’s not “better” in general for me.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Haha that's definitely a good reason! Although I've had that with a few mineral sunscreens now (but much less often) - I think it might've been a preservative or a solvent...

[@nollypolly]

Ugh SAME! I tried using mineral around my eyes/brows, and chemical for the rest of my face (and body). It worked really well! No stinging at all!

[@lunagrace2872]

@@nollypolly And it’s the opposite for me 😂. Really good chemical sunscreen never irritated my skin or eye but mineral sunscreen irritates the heck out of my skin (literally turns bright red) and my eyes are burning. Weird how people react differently. Thank goodness both mineral and chemical sunscreen exist.

[@Call-me-Al]

​@@lunagrace2872 the genetic and epigenetic lottery isn't fair :(

[@lunagrace2872]

@@Call-me-Al So true, but at least there are options for pretty much anyone thankfully. I would be dead to wear sunscreen every day 20 years ago because mineral sunscreen was really the only option back then. Thank goodness I live in this time wear these so many sunscreen options. But still genetic suck sometimes.

[@Bambloots]

As someone who still keeps up with MatPat when he makes an appearance, he's said himself that the checkerboard pattern this experiment created is still there to this day.

[@LocaChoca]

This Style Theory episode had me raging. I was so aggravated that he didn't think to do the proper preparation for the test. Also they didn't even mention that US sunscreens are classified as drugs, because they make a medical claim. So they have to work, or the companies will get sued.

[@439801RS]

I do think there is a chunk of the population that will only really pay attention when people do hands on things like testing products. But I agree, he and his team really aren't equipped to properly do stuff like this, which is understandable and ok, but stumbling your way to an answer that you really didn't get from your results, which are reliable cause of aforementioned being ill equipped, isn't ok

[@TheBlakia]

I never got burned even tho I am super light skinned (only burn my scalp in the side). But after getting touch mich korean skincare I started reading up on sunprotection and damage. My mom has sun allergy so I started stealing her fps 50+ sunscreen every day. And as soon as I had money I ordered thr Biore Water essence cause that would work so much better then the creams you can get here. Never went back. Now with 35 I dont have a single wrinkle, no visible sunspots etc. Meanwhile my granny never used a protection and she has so much visible sundamage and still asks me why I bother with it everyday. My mom is 60 now, looks like 40. Even if ppl don't believe in sun protection, it still works 100% as a anti wrinkle solution and maybe thats another way to market it. Thanks a lot for beeing so informative, especially about chemical protection, cause thats not a thing thats normal available here and I had always to order online

[@MathIguess]

My fiancée and I recently became very sun-conscious after I burned in the sun and read up on the stats surrounding skin cancer. Funnily enough, we saw that style theory video before this and it surprised me that there were some myths in that video. I guess it is always good to fact check ^^ Anyway, we wear sunscreen daily now and reapply it as instructed on the bottles and whatnot. I'm glad to see you pick this apart and that you have other videos on it!

[@calculatedspaces]

“You can’t pronounce these chemicals; therefore they’re scary.” “That’s a YOU problem.” 😂🤔🤣 I 💗 story time with Michelle! I think it’s funny that Green Tea is “Camellia Sinensis” & Chamomile is “Matricaria Chamomilla”. Easy to get that Latin twisted. ✨ Thank you for raising awareness and helping us understand some of the many details of sunscreen & skin protection. ✨

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Thank you for watching! ❤

[@sadmermaid]

Skill issue

[@Call-me-Al]

Yep, "dihydrogen monoxide" being "difficult to pronounce" is a ludicrous reason to avoid water.

[@spiderwrist]

That "tanning is skin cells in trauma" line has definitely been burned into my brain from years ago and regularly pops up this time of year.

[@peterfilipovic]

And it's pseudo-scientific BS. Honestly the government should be sued for manipulating people with that foul fear-mongering.

[@ErikBPG]

Thing is I don't understand. Why would you make your own experiment if sunscreen works? They're tested so there are hundreds of studies showing they do

[@MrsCurioCheerio]

Because they have a large platform on social media and they probably thought that a sizable portion of viewers could benefit from this info, because not everyone believes, reads, or understands the research studies

[@duppa]

Style theory channel focuses on entertainment first and actual scientific research second

[@themikeroberts]

It's frustrating but there's many people who will see his skin and believe sunscreen works but wouldn't be as convinced by a study with no visuals or less entertainment driven visuals.

[@jenniferch3ck]

People don't trust anything these days

[@arianamiranda3660]

So it’s more digestible for the wider audience who won’t read said studies.

[@xaiyu4104]

I think I’m one of the few people that absolutely can NOT wear sunscreen. I’ve tried mineral and chemical spf’s and so many brands and I always ALWAYS burn where the sun screen is placed without any sun exposure at all or I break out in rashes and it’s literally the worst pain ever. The crazier part is I don’t have sensitive skin at all but sunscreen is literally the only thing I’ve ever had an allergic reaction to

[@crystallionaire]

This is the kind of reaction videos I love. I wouldn't have found your channel otherwise because the algorithm here feels so constricting. If i dont actively look for new things to watch or listen to or I am never going to have anything recommended. Anyway love this video and your insight 👍

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Welcome! And thank you 😊

[@da4127]

I live in Ecuador and if I’m going to have any part of my skin exposed to the sun for more than 10 minutes, I use sunscreen, and I use 60+ fps, most people I know of use 80-100 fps, I was thinking “surely this is a norther US problem where they don’t believe the sun hurts” so I was shocked to see Australia has this problem too, what? A country where most people are white as the moon and is so close to the equator, and most of you guys either don’t use sunscreen/protection, or use only 30 fps?

[@angelsnaiilz]

it’s so cool to hear about the science behind sunscreen! my anecdotal evidence has pretty much always been enough proof for me .. the HARSH burns on patches of skin that i missed have always served as good reminders to lather up lol. thank you for all the information you provide!

[@teletubbiestunetwister9570]

Thank you, dear leader. You can't save everyone but by continuing to make these videos for us Lab Muffians who spread the word of SPF, you are saving thousands.

[@bugs625]

I know a guy that is scared of sunscreen, he tells me «i never wore sunscreen when i was your age, it gives you cancer» but he never wore sunscreen, got cancer and now tries to scare people with conspiracy theories

[@abc_cba]

Hey, Michelle, I never used Sunscreen for ages and it's only some 5 months that I started using it seeing your videos and my skin has shown plenty of changes in a positive way. Though, I am an Indian(Asian) so, melanin did protect me but it's the lack of awareness why most people don't use it. Thank You for your scientific videos, I learn something new everytime. I also take notes on it.

[@SueRosalie]

even the blackest skin type only has natural SPF of 13.3 and black people get melanoma too

[@abc_cba]

@@SueRosalie my skin would be a 3 on Fitzpatrick scale aka light skinned Indian.

[@bruhmoment1835]

Can you detail the changes that you noticed, please?

[@abc_cba]

@@bruhmoment1835 my eyes, my cheeks have stopped forming wrinkles any further. I make sure I stay hydrated, keep my house covered from sunlight in daytime, and have been using UV 400 glasses, and a good sunscreen that has Tinosorb UV filters with some Zinc Oxide as well.

[@skateata1]

I used to use tanning beds. I used sunscreen on my face and it definitely kept my face more pale than the rest of my body that I used nothing on. After seeing my beautiful tattoo fade dramatically 😢after a few months and all the random dots on me, I finally quit.

[@lieeeleeee]

I’m Australian but I’m 18 so I barely remember the specific anti tanning ads, but I was shocked Matt was using a tanning bed. I feel like it’s so baked in that tanning beds are awful I didn’t realise they weren’t banned in other places

[@CindyC71]

not gonna lie i lol'd so hard when you said "he's wearing mayonnaise!" 😂

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

😭

[@Encysted]

I love your crocheted top, it's so cute!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Thank you! 😊

[@b.k8051]

Tati and her "toxins" need to watch this

[@canesugar911]

Westbrook??

[@khalz-AJ]

Was thinking the same thing

[@amordesdemona]

Honestly this is so baffling to me because I remember her being super scared of wrinkles when I watched her years ago and she gave the tip of putting sunscreen on your hands because they're often even more exposed than the face

[@raspberrykissable]

It’s none of your business how others live their lives. If you took all the energy you use to criticize others and put it into your own life I bet you’d be a lot happier.

[@b.k8051]

@@raspberrykissable It actually is my business. She is an influencer. Do you understand how being a public person works? She literally made it my business. LOL

[@ChrissyCat87]

As a fan of you and Theory, so much fun seeing you review Theory's video. 😃 My grandfather is mainly Norwegian but has some Indian in him. He never uses sunscreen and never been sunburned, despite being outside a lot in summer. Like a lot of other Norwegians he wants maximum effect of the sun we are able to get up here. And last year he got skin cancer, not malignent luckily! It scared me though, especially as he still refuses to use sunscreen now. 😞

[@rezzy8590]

As a Canadian who was never properly educated about sunscreen and how to use it, content like this is helping so freaking much! At 23 (as of 2022), I found out from the back of a sunscreen that I'm supposed to reapply after 80 mins and after water exposure. Yeah, we're making up so hard for my young years. Thanks for sharing the folate info too, 'cause that's relevant to my sister who also is in my no-sunscreen-knowledge shoes but actually wants a kid! Off to go share this with my people!

[@MintyFrills]

Thank you for covering this!! I saw the video and was very concerned about them spreading misinformation.

[@Pommy727]

Hi Michelle! Great video and thank you for always including captions! Your channel has helped me make better and more informed choices when it comes to the cosmetics I use.

[@MrsBees]

One huge flaw I see in his study is tanning a large piece of skin at once and not individual tests. Anyone that has tanned knows that certain areas of your body tan faster than others. Your shoulders/ chest are naturally tanner going in, meaning it takes more to burn. Low backs/stomachs see less sun naturally. So comparing low back to an upper back sample or chest to stomach, even with the same product, would probably show different results. Additionally, yes there are fans in tanning beds but that doesn't mean you don't sweat. There are typically two fans. One at your head blowing down and one at your feet blowing up. Your stomach will moisr of sweat while your upper chest is drier.

[@auricia201]

26:07 those squares are so small that the quantity of sunscreen necessary (for the 2mg/cm2) would also be very small. Its possible that he put much more sunscreen, therefore, great protection with all of them 🤷🏻‍♀️ dunno

[@mon6745]

But the squares were way bigger than a cm² tho

[@auricia201]

@@mon6745 of course 😅 I meant it as a ratio, you can apply 2mg/cm2 all over your face, even though your face is bigger than 1 cm2 I meant that it is easier to apply more sunscreen per area when applying on a small square like that

[@mon6745]

@auricia201 it read like a comparison of the size of the test to the amount of the recommended values when you said also very small... I think you mean proportion?

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Ooh yeah, good point! Judging from the visible avocado...

[@PocketSizedAna]

I really appreciate that you made this video. It's very nice to have actual scientific input on such a serious matter. Matpat is great, and I like the fact he tries to make science fun to us common folk, but I feel comforted hearing about it from a scientist's mouth.

[@justilou1]

Me watching this smugly eyerolling after wearing sunscreen religiously for nearly 40 years. Am in my 50’s and my skin looks many years younger than most women my age. Skin checks at the dermatologist all good!!!

[@Dziabum]

I used to do sun studies for money. Now I’m a bit worried about the whole “cells in trauma” thing lol (they did explain the risks, the imagery of the ad is just way more hard hitting haha) good thing I generally avoid the sun like the plague

[@meg..meg.]

I quote this as "a tan is your skin in trauma" very frequently -- I think I'm close enough to try to get the message accross

[@sillysallyceli]

Oh it’s definitely red! Like it’s red! There’s so much differences between boxes. But I’m happy to know some of them are really good, and anything spf with enough application works

[@oliviamayumi]

skin cancer speedrun any% (you could not make me go anywhere near a tanning bed)

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Yes! Maybe if I had a skin disease that needed to be treated with UV, but that would not be in a place called Tan City 💀

[@yuordreams]

I just wish sunscreens didn't make my skin upset. It gets so congested and angry no matter how "high end" the formula is.

[@chaoticchemicalromance]

Anyone can tell what a coral scientist called??? I feel like yelling at people when they dont wear sunscreen :( and you are right, people who dont believe in sunscreen probably would not even see this video. The EWG should be sued and then banned for spreading all this nonsense.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I think there's some esoteric name, but most of them refer to themselves as coral scientists, or marine biologists/environmental chemists/ecotoxicologists/aquatic ecologists etc depending on their specific specialty. Agree on the EWG!

[@powmod]

20:29 To my knowledge, the mineral sunscreens were supposed to protect more than chemical sunscreens because they don't degrade by sun exposure. All chemical sunscreens degrade in light and must be reapplied every 2h and kept in containers away from light. While zinc oxide continues to be zinc oxide.

[@delavidaebella]

Oh hey I might be that person with a better perceiving ability for the red hue! I can see clearly some boxes on his skin are more red than the other. The ones on the bottom are more red compared to other non control boxes, with the bottom right (which used guacamole lol) being the most red. Probably because of the added lemon in guacamole, citric acid burns. At the top center where he used the SPF 4 is definitley redder than non control boxes. The box on the left from control used Supergoop gel, it's very slightly red, although not as red as the box using SPF 4. The funny part is the top left box which used cream to "enhance" the tanning result actually slightly protects the skin from the UV itself because that box is less red than control, although still redder than the SPF 4 box.

[@LethalLemonLime]

The funniest thing about this to me is how I used to (and maybe still sometimes see) everyone and their mama saying sunscreen does not stop you from tanning. It was weird cause the logic made no sense. How is it simultaneously blocking the rays that cause you to tan while still allowing you to tan. I remember saying if you've applied it right then you shouldn't be tanning not that long ago and I'd get so much negative responses for saying that but I guess people don't seem to think that anymore...I hope.

[@moonyfruit]

As someone who is so naturally pale... who gets burnt within 20-30 minutes being in the sun... I'm using my dang sunscreen. Us vampires will die without it.

[@Alex-pt6pu]

real😭

[@_KungFuBarbie_]

I specifically name here to see if you had a video on this after seeing the Style Theory video. Team Theorist makes some pretty entertaining videos but their engagement with actual scientific processes is usually tepid at best. In a recent video about skincare they actually pulled the “names you can’t pronounce” fearmongering line which is really weird considering that it was challenged in the sunscreen video.

[@Tree-House69]

People are like "I want to DEEP FRY myself with oils! Really moisturizes my skin 🥰"

[@mon6745]

This video is hilarious and super informative - I feel so proud of myself when someone says something about mineral sunscreen and I school them 😂😂😂😂 i used to be like that too

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Me too 😅 Ah we live and learn...

[@sen_mei]

As soon as you made the comparison, as an American, every time you said “tanning is skin cells in trauma” my brain automatically responded with “only you can prevent forest fires”

[@LethalLemonLime]

12:50 If the sunscreen is chemical only with no mineral filters it'll go on clear anyway. So we don't really need this special gel. I'm brown skinned and I live in Korea and am from the USA and regardless if a sunscreen is Korean or American, it will be clear if it only uses chemical filters and will leave a white cast if it uses mineral.

[@tiateri541]

Thanks for another great sunscreen video. But I have a question on a different subject. I’ve noticed the cute crochet tops you’ve been wearing in your most recent videos and am wondering if you made them yourself? I’m a knitter, so I noticed these things 😂

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Thank you! Yes I do make them myself, I've also just started knitting too so you'll see a lot more soon 😊

[@tiateri541]

I’ll keep a lookout for your knits! And if you need any recommendations for good knitting channels for learning let me know.

[@jlastre]

I have SLE and am also a failed chemist so I find this interesting. Both UVA and UVB can cause issues for people with lupus. I don’t have skin related symptoms, but my drugs can still be affected. Also just as an FYI the solution to using “blockers”, ie zinc and titanium oxide, that leave white residues is to use products that have a tint in them. One product in the US has three different levels of skin tints. It’s called Aussie Gold.

[@sharkosupreme]

I really, really, really worry about the section of people who take life and scientific advice from a talking JPG of the guy who got famous for talking about undertale

[@Tonniethepanda]

Honestly one very popular beauty KZbinr should watch this video. I watched one of their newer videos where they said they don’t use sunscreen, but some kind of an oil 🥲🥲

[@HeavenlyEchoVirus]

Also regarding his praise of all the sunscreens working equally….the rest of him doesn’t really look very tan to me? Did he apply sunscreen everywhere else on his body apart from the control? Does he not tan very well in general?

[@complainer406]

There used to be a really popular myth that getting a "base tan" from a tanning bed would protect you from sun damage As a Canadian, I knew a lot of people who would go to a tanning salon before a vacation or at the start of the summer so that they could forgo sunscreen (obviously they shouldn't have, but they thought they could) I wonder how much of the increased risk from using tanning beds is based on behavior like that vs the damage done by the beds themselves

[@puppyeyes9291]

I was waiting for this one!! I am a fan of both of you!

[@nataliecohen814]

As a current student in STEM this is the perfect mix of science and entertainment. Thanks :)

[@matthewwhitehouse301]

You have such a talent at conveying information in an interesting and engaging way :)

[@KhoaTran-md5ou]

I think the video did a good thing is that he encourage even the hater to try sunscreen. He play into all the possible mental blocks to not use sunscreen. Of couse the really sciencetific people would alway like to research more and we always point out the mistakes he made (his being a science and conspirency channel and all). At face value he did a good job for the mass without all the heavy stuff Like that guy tiktok guy say, he can't read those words -_-, yes he is stupid, but he is the 60%-80% depend on the country. Love your explainations and thank for your work :D

[@MrsCurioCheerio]

I’m interested in what the comments on that video must be saying. Wonder if there’s still a good chunk of people discussing the “toxicity” of sunscreen and how sun exposure can never be bad, and so on… after some video reply sections I’ve seen recently on this topic, I’m apprehensive to look

[@joefarrow1599]

I was listening to the audio thinking "this sounds exactly like the guy from Game Theory"

[@peterxv]

The way your face visible twitched when he started talking about how “chemical sunscreen absorb UV while mineral sits on top and reflects UV”

[@JeantheSecond-ip7qm]

Sunscreen is definitely not a lie. I couldn’t reach a spot on my back when I went to the beach. Ouch! I’m bad about wearing it daily, but if I’m spending a few hours at a pool or beach, I always use sunscreen.

[@paigemcdonald568]

Thank you for all of your great content! It's super helpful and informative! Sorry, i know this is off topic but I have some video topic ideas that I don't see anyone doing, but I'd love to see: safety of magnetic eyeliner and tubing mascara, how hair and skincare products interact with hard water, rating sunscreens based on how fast and how much they dry down (for those of us that wear glasses - you know what I'm talking about!), using one mineral sunscreen to start the day but then reapplying with a different mineral sunscreen later (say if you have one you like to start the day with and one to keep in your bag), trying different setting sprays over mineral sunscreens, and definitely more videos about tinted sunscreen and foundation pairings and maybe why different formulations of makeup and sunscreens play nicely together and some don't. Thank you again!

[@Nat.H]

Thank you Michelle, it's thx to your videos that I tried chemical sunscreens and found one that I enjoy wearing. It's refreshing to have someone knowledgeable, realistic and enjoyable to watch.

[@ojaimark]

I feel like a really fine point can be put on this whole topic by emphasizing that sunscreen products are not regulated as cosmetics, they are regulated as over the counter drugs. Which means as soon a product claims it has spf protection, it is required to have spf testing on that specific individual product before it goes to market, and any time the formula changes. It's not like cosmetics where as long as you pick from a list of GRAS ingredients, you're good. Sunscreen manufacturers aren't just pointing at studies on individual sunscreen ingredients and piggypacking off that data. Each and every final product has to be sent to a licensed laboratory to test and confirm the level of spf protection being claimed.

[@seanrowshandel1680]

What if there was a country which had a mandatory MEDICAL service policy (similarly to how military service may be mandatory in some countries)?

[@aleece4]

I constantly get mistaken as being 5-10 years younger than I am, and then get asked what products I use (I work in the beauty industry). Whenever they ask, I always say “moisturizer and sunscreen!” and they never believe me. 🙄

[@martianpudding9522]

I don't understand why people who dislike sunscreen don't talk more about just physical ways to avoid sun damage. You can avoid the sun without any chemicals by just wearing clothing that covers more of your body, staying in the shadow, wearing a sun hat, using a parasol, etc, but it feels like the discussion is always just between putting all of your skin in the sun as much as you want all the time or wearing sunscreen every single day. Personally I don't like sunscreen for sensory reasons so I only wear it when I plan on getting a lot of exposure, but I still don't want to get sunburned

[@ExploringAI42]

This video has made me reconsider the choice I make. I am someone who is allergic to the active ingredient (don't know what it is) in sunscreen lotion and I also don't burn (can be outside all day in the sun and wouldn't be noticeable). But seeing this video along with the comments on the risks, I will try make a better effort. I need to find a different sunscreen since the only one I know of I can wear is like frosting myself in sand (really uncomfortable). Maybe at least I can start wearing light long-sleeve clothes with my hat to cutdown on skin exposure.

[@notoddnalo173]

Final destination teached me to never get into a tanning bed unless you wanna die

[@kikialeaki1850]

“This was done in January, which is like the middle of summer…” Me, a Canadian: *having to actively recall that she said this was in Australia*

[@SamMKKK]

Whenever you get a chance, I’d also love to hear your thoughts on the Science Vs. podcast episode on retinoids. Literally the gorls said all topical vit a besides tret is a scam. That can’t be right. 😭😭

[@jennam8207]

Yesss I cringed so hard at that episode!

[@auricia201]

I'm pretty sure there are studies on retinol...and they prove that it works 👀

[@db-gb5xi]

This sounds similar to the honest channel video on tretinoin thinning skin that dr dray did a debunking video on.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I read some of the transcript and agree, it was bad - the dermatologist is known for making some really non-evidence-based statements (she was quoted in a newspaper article saying you don't need to reapply mineral sunscreen for example), the pharmacist also said some weird stuff... I am working on a retinoids video that addresses the myth that retinol doesn't work, should be coming soon!

[@gasparinha]

Yeah, that was too bad! Normally we can trust them, you know?

[@KatwinKennedy]

Yeah we do remember that ad. It lives rent free in my head. Given the housing crisis in Sydney, that says a lot.

[@MegaLokopo]

And that is why I will remain to use wood glass and concrete as sunscreen.

[@RexytheRexy]

My mother grew up in Seattle, and despite living in Alaska, she wears sunscreen (and has been using sunscreen daily for half a century). She raised me to be aware of the fact that overcast days can still cause UV damage, and put the fear of tanning and sunlight into me. She's the healthiest person I know, and has the skin of someone two decades younger (same for her mother, who was as fair-skinned as I am). My papa grew up in Arizona. His mother, father, brother, and him NEVER wore sunscreen as kids, and all but my dad have had skin cancer (Dad moved to Alaska around 1980). Living at a high latitude, we don't get as much light exposure here as people who live in the lower 48, and the difference in the skin of people who live here versus down south is pretty incredible. Tl;dr WEAR SUNSCREEN, *especially* if you're light-skinned! My mother is living proof of its effects. My grandmother was living proof of its effects. My father's family is proof of what happens when you don't wear it.

[@anthropomorphicpeanut6160]

5:44 thank you. I had heard the coral thing and I always felt guilty when applying sunscreen :')

[@iceteeize]

I’m so glad you did this video! I’ve been wanting your take on it since I saw it

[@julie3865]

When I was 21 I got a terrible sunburn for not wearing sunscreen on a cloudy day in april (we were sitting outside from 9 am til 9 pm at a university event). My right face got more direct sun expose then my left. I am now 32 and the two sides of my face have a noticeable difference when it comes to wrinkles. On my right side I am starting to get wrinkles around my eye as well as a line from my nose to mouth. I have also lost a bit plumpness to my skin. My left side on the other hand has no wrinkles whatsoever. I have also always parted my hair to the left which has also had some protective effect. Before this I only wore sunscreen in the summertime as I live in a northern country. Were your sunscreen!

[@SueRosalie]

We banned tanning beds in Australia after a young woman died from melanoma from sunbed use.