Sunscreen news explodes on social media, female student's face "blossoms"

(Dan Tri) - After only using the "SPF 70 super sunscreen" a few times, the female student had to see a dermatologist early because her face was burning, peeling and dark.

Skin damage due to believing in fake sunscreen ads

After the April 30 holiday, BT, 19 years old, a student at a university in Hanoi, began researching sunscreen products to prepare for the hot summer.

In a beauty group on social media, she saw a seller introducing a “domestic Japanese product” sunscreen, with SPF 70 printed on the packaging, for only VND95,000, much cheaper than other popular products.

“The seller promised that the product was hand-carried, high quality, and protected against the sun all day without reapplying. Seeing many people commenting positively, I trusted it and immediately ordered 2 tubes,” T. said.

Female student suffered many skin injuries after trusting sunscreen bought online (Photo: Doctor provided).

However, after 3 consecutive days of using this cream while going to school and traveling under the sun, T. began to feel her face burning, tight, red and gradually dark spots appeared on both cheeks, especially on the cheekbones and forehead.

Fearing a severe allergic reaction, T. decided to go to the doctor.

Directly examining the patient, Master, Doctor, and Associate Professor Nguyen Tien Thanh - member of the Vietnam Dermatology Association said - the patient came in with acute skin damage: redness, itching, facial swelling, itching and burning in the areas where the cream was applied.

This is a typical manifestation of skin being allergic to sunscreen ingredients and not being protected from UV rays when exposed directly to sunlight."

T. was diagnosed by the doctor with: Allergic contact dermatitis, sunburn with risk of increased skin pigmentation on the forehead and cheeks.

According to Dr. Tien Thanh, it is highly likely that the sunscreen T. used is a poor quality product that does not have the sun protection ability as stated on the packaging.

"SPF 70 index usually only appears in specialized products with strict testing.

On the other hand, SPF 70 sounds high, but high SPF does not mean absolute protection. SPF 70 only filters out about 98.6% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 filters out 98% - the difference is so small that it is often more of a marketing point than a clinical reality.

"With a product that has no clear brand name, no Vietnamese sub-label, and is too cheap, it is very likely to be fake or smuggled goods," Dr. Thanh analyzed.

This expert also emphasized that he has received many cases of skin damage, allergic contact dermatitis... due to using products purchased through social networks, especially sunscreen, instant whitening cream or serum of unknown origin.

Sunscreen is the first layer of "armor" to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays - the cause of aging, melasma, dark spots and even skin cancer.

However, if the product does not meet standards, not only will it not protect the skin, it will also cause serious damage, because the user subjectively exposes themselves to the sun for too long with the false belief that they are protected.

Be alert to the matrix of fake goods on social networks

Dr. Tien Thanh recommends: “Women, especially young people, should not be greedy for cheap prices or believe in unverified advertisements online. Cosmetics, especially skin treatment or protection products, should be purchased at pharmacies, genuine distribution systems, where there are invoices, documents and clear origins."

Besides, Dr. Thanh also gave a warning in the context of the increasingly complicated market of fake, counterfeit, and poor quality cosmetics.

In just the first few months of the year, market management forces have discovered many cases of counterfeit cosmetics trading in large quantities, most of which are consumed through social networks and uncontrolled livestream channels.

Through this, Dr. Tien Thanh once again emphasized: “Cosmetics are products used directly on the body, you should not compromise your skin health just because of cheapness. Be a smart consumer, especially in the context of fake cosmetics being rampant like today.”

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/tin-kem-chong-nang-no-tren-mang-xa-hoi-mat-nu-sinh-no-hoa-20250616073848981.htm