Sun protection debate

As you observe the streets in China, the combination of sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective masks has become a ubiquitous sight.

Sun protection is one of the hottest topics lately. On the Chinese lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu, the hashtag "sun protection" boasts over 15.47 million posts, while the same hashtag has accumulated more than 43 billion views on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

However, the concept of "excessive sun protection "has sparked debates on Chinese social media.

Some netizens have begun criticizing those who opt for extensive sun-blocking measures, labeling them as "beekeepers" and "sun protection terrorists "and viewing their actions as overly cautious and unnecessary.

Advocates for sun protection, predominantly women, argue that their focus is on health rather than achieving a lighter skin tone.

In a conversation with Chinese news website 36Kr, one female netizen highlighted the harsh scrutiny women face. "I feel that women can never do anything right," she said. "Whether we dress up or not, there is always judgment — either for being too flashy or not feminine enough. The criticism is relentless."

Another female netizen shared that she has received many comments from colleagues and family accusing her of "going too far for beauty", but she chooses to focus on herself. "I'm doing all these skin care and sun protection routines just for myself, not for anybody else," she said. "I feel good when I look in the mirror and see my improving skin condition."