It is very fitting (and just a little ironic) that the golden girl in from the TV show The O.C. is the spokesperson for Superdrug's SAFE Skin Cancer campaign. Ms. Barton talks about being very aware of sun protection and wanting people to be aware of the dangers of being out in the sun.

I applaud her for doing this kind of awareness campaign, but I must also wonder at her effectiveness. Seeing Mischa Barton in her beach wear on the show, with a glowing suntan, probably leads some girls to tanning, not away from it. It is such a shame that one of our ideals of beauty is a sun-bronzed body. This has slowly been changing as we become more aware of the dangers of sun exposure, but our stars are still, for the most part, expected to not be pasty white. Young girls feel that they have to live up to these images, which has the potential to be harmful to them.

She might be able to reach her audience, though. Young girls will be eager to buy these products and use them just because Mischa Barton endorses them. On balance, it is probably a positive step to have a star like her endorsing this campaign. I just wish we did not need stars to tell us what is good for us, especially after they've perpetuated the images that can do damage.