A survey of American adults finds online misinformation is a key factor in sun safety decision- making, including reducing or stopping sunscreen use. Results from the Practice Safe Sun Survey show younger audiences are more at-risk of exposure to false claims. Thirty-six percent of Gen Z respondents name Instagram or TikTok influencers as their primary source of skincare advice, compared with 21% of the general population. In addition, nearly half of all respondents – and 64% of Gen Z respondents – report experiencing online misinformation about sunscreen.
“Misinformation reinforces harmful tanning myths, leading people to underestimate the risks of UV light exposure and ignore protective measures,” said AAD President Murad Alam, MD, MSCI, MBA, FAAD. ” “It’s important to evaluate the source of medical information and make informed skincare decisions by seeking advice from a board-certified dermatologist.”
$5 Million Commitment for New Dermatology Department
The Mohiba and Basil Tareen Family is committing $5 million to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences (UND) for the establishment of a dermatology department and the endowed Tareen Family Chair of Dermatology. Dr. Mohiba Tareen is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Tareen Dermatology, a large, independent dermatology group in the Midwest. Her husband, Dr. Basil Tareen, is the son of a rural surgeon in northeastern North Dakota who trained and mentored UND medical students.
“This gift honors his legacy and the physicians who dedicate their careers to caring for rural communities” said Dr. Basil Tareen.
“Dermatology is my passion” said Dr. Mohiba Tareen. “To help bring dermatology and specialty care to better serve the people of North Dakota is a lifelong dream. We are honored to support UND and excited about what the future holds.”
Industry-Wide Effort Establishes National Sun Responsibly Day
Retailers, dermatologists, nonprofit organizations, and a skincare manufacturer have joined forces to establish the National Sun Responsibly Day, held on May 18. The effort calls for a year-round habit of daily sun protection.
“While skin cancer rates steadily rise, it is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer” said Becky Kamowitz, executive director of The Skin Cancer Foundation.” The key to reducing the incidence of this disease lies in consistent, daily sun protection. By coming together for National Sun Responsibly Day, we are sending a powerful message that sun safety is not optional—it is a critical, everyday health practice that saves and improves lives.”
At the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting, L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty convened 30 influential dermatology creators and thought leaders—with a combined social reach of over 22 million—for an open forum on normalizing daily SPF usage. This session culminated in the establishment of National Sun Responsibly Day.
