One Tree Hill alum Jana Kramer recently shared her views on sunscreen, and some fans are concerned that she’s promoting a dangerous message. During a recent episode of her podcast, Whine Down with Jana Kramer, Jana revealed that she doesn’t always put sunscreen on her kids because “they don’t burn” and she’s concerned that there’s “bad stuff” in sunscreen.
Jana and her friend Kathryn Woodard seemed to have different views on the topic.
The topic came up when Kathryn explained that she’s struggling to get her teenage kids to wear sunscreen because they want to tan. Kathryn said she’s “in panic mode” because of all of the content she’s seen about how sunburns, especially during childhood, increase the risk of skin cancer. She’s “literally fighting (her) 13-year-old to put on sunscreen” now.
Jana, on the other hand, didn’t seem too concerned about her kids’ sunscreen usage. Because her kids “don’t burn,” she doesn’t see sunscreen as important – and actually worries that it does more harm than good.
She explained that she’ll have her kids wear sunscreen if they’re ‘on the beach for hours.’
But in most cases, she doesn’t think they need it. Jana is mom to Jolie, 9, Jace, 6, and Roman, 19 months. Before sharing her perspective, Jana acknowledged that she would probably “get a lot of hate” for it.
“I am well aware that I should have worn sunscreen as a child. I am well aware,” she said on the podcast. “And I know my mom put on the Coppertone Baby, whatever SPF on me. Having said that, my mother was the generation who used no sunscreen and used the baby oil, right? If my mother gave me anything more than an 8 SPF, I would be like, ‘I cannot get a tan with anything less than 8.’”
When it comes to applying sunscreen on her own kids, Jana is “just not putting it on” most of the time.
“I don’t use sunscreen on my kids unless it’s going to be for hours outside because I know they don’t burn,” she explained on the podcast. “And there’s so much bad stuff in sunscreen that if we’re not going to be out there for more than a couple hours, listen, come at me. But I’m just not putting it on.
“I will if we’re on the beach for hours and the reflection of all the things, like I’ll put it on his neck, his ears – the baby,” she continued. “But like the kids, I haven’t put on any on them because I’m like, ‘They’re not getting burned.’ What’s worse, the burn, or the suntan lotion?”
According to experts, Jana’s claims that her kids don’t need sunscreen because they ‘don’t burn’ are misinformed.
Jana is not the only parent worried about sunscreen. Recent reports have led to an uptick in concerns about the chemicals in sunscreen. But in 2023, dermatologist Dr. Alok Vij told Cleveland Clinic that the benefits of sunscreen outweigh the risks.
“While it’s hard to prove or disprove a link between sunscreen and cancer, we know that for most people, the benefits of using a mineral-based sunscreen – like lowering the risk of skin cancer and slowing down the aging process – far outweigh the risks,” Vij said at the time.
Additionally, sun exposure is risky even when it doesn’t lead to visible burns. Per Mayo Clinic, tanning also damages your skin and increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
Jana’s comments were pretty controversial.
On social media, fans weighed in. Although some could relate to Jana, others accused her of promoting misinformation. On Reddit, one person suggested that Jana was “letting her MAHA show,” referring to the Make America Healthy Again movement sparked by RFK Jr.
Another person was “flabbergasted,” writing, “How do these women not know what UV index is?!” A third person commented, “Kids should constantly have sunscreen on when they’re outside not just at the beach. Those poor kiddos.”
Even though some people who commented on the conversation insisted that sunscreen is “toxic,” others pointed out that different types of sunscreen are available.
“I’m 32 and have had chunks of melanoma removed,” one fan commented on Instagram. “There are many wonderful non toxic sunscreens and UPF clothing out there, please use them and teach your children about sun safety 😔”
Another fan slammed Jana’s parenting, writing, “Clean sunscreen exists! Good parenting skills. 🙄”
