Europe is facing its biggest heatwave – but why aren’t people wearing sunscreen?

Health & Fitness
9 Aug 2026 • 3:40 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Europe is facing its biggest heatwave – but why aren’t people wearing sunscreen?

A growing social media trend is telling people to ditch sunscreen, claiming it increases the risk of skin cancer.

The misinformation has gained traction during one of the hottest summers on record, with England and Wales recording their driest July since records began nearly 190 years ago.

Experts told The Independent studies linking sunscreen use with more sunburn are often misunderstood.

Professor Anthony Young said: "It's not because the sunscreens are causing sunburn. It's because they haven't applied them properly, so they've got a false sense of security."

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