Jinger Duggar's Thoughts On Sun Protection Isn't Advice You Should Follow

Most types of skin cancer can arise from regular, everyday exposure to the sun. However, a surprising number of people wear far less sunscreen (and far less often) than they should. In fact, according to a 2023 study published in Archives of Dermatological Research, around one out of every 10 people in the United States goes without sunscreen.

Reality TV star Jinger Duggar Vuolo recently admitted that she falls in the category of only reaching for sunscreen some of the time for herself and her kids. On the podcast she shares with her husband, Jeremy, Vuolo admitted, "I don't put sunscreen on all the time," later adding that she also lets her kids "soak up some sun" by not slathering them with sunscreen, either.

Vuolo's philosophy of wearing sunscreen only occasionally isn't in line with advice from medical experts. As dermatologist Dr. Evelyn Jones explained during an American Medical Association interview, "[u]sing sunscreen on a daily basis is critical to protect the skin cells from this damage. This includes cloudy days when up to 80% of the UVL (ultraviolet) rays will penetrate through the clouds."

In a Cleveland Clinic interview, dermatologist Dr. Melissa Piliang recommended sunscreen application even on days spent indoors. Harmful light can sneak into unexpected spaces. Said Dr. Piliang, "The fluorescent lights in our offices even produce some ultraviolet light." (Here's why you should put on sunscreen before flying on a airplane, too.)

To her credit, Vuolo noted that she didn't know if what she was doing was good or bad, showing a self-awareness that her practices might be ill-advised by some circles. Plus, she did admit that she was getting wrinkles early, most likely because she was getting too much direct sun exposure.

Of course, the type of sunscreen that you use can make a difference. Again, Vuolo shared her opinions on her preferred brands. She told listeners that she opts for mineral-based sunscreen because she feels "normal" ones are toxic. However, she didn't expand on what toxicity means to her, nor did she go into greater depth.

Some ingredients you don't want to see in your sunscreen include aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate, as noted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

PABA has a reputation for causing dermatological reactions. It may also lead to thyroid disruptions, per a 2005 study in Toxicological Sciences. The study showed that rats that were fed PABA for several weeks increased their risk of thyroid cancer. That said, the study was conducted on animals, and involved ingesting PABA rather than applying it topically.

Meanwhile, trolamine salicylate use may cause stomach, respiratory, and metabolic issues, as well as more serious and life-threatening symptoms. For that reason, trolamine salicylate isn't available in over-the-counter sunscreen products any longer, but it can be found in other medications, including analgesic creams and rubs.

In contrast, the FDA has deemed zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, two mineral active ingredients found in sunscreen, to be safe.