A woman applying sunscreen to her face.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting about one in five Americans during their lifetime.* That’s why it’s important to protect your skin whenever you are outdoors. Wearing sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing sun-protective clothing can help reduce your risk of skin cancer and prevent painful sunburns.

Everyone Should Wear Sunscreen*

Sunscreen helps protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and can reduce your risk of skin cancer. Anyone can develop skin cancer, regardless of age, gender, or skin tone. Sunscreen can also help prevent premature skin aging, including wrinkles and age spots, caused by repeated UV exposure.

*Avoid applying sunscreen to infants under six months of age. See the "Babies & Sunscreen" section below for more information.

SJFD's Fire Engineer Matthew Herzog six common sunscreen myths. (Mire el video en español | Xem video bằng tiếng Việt | 观看普通话视频 | 觀看國語影片).

Sunscreen Safety Tips

Apply sunscreen every day and whenever you will be outdoors. The sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays year-round—not just during the summer. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can pass through clouds.

  • Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. SPF 30 filters about 97% of UVB rays. Higher SPF sunscreens provide slightly more protection, but no sunscreen blocks 100% of UVB rays.
  • Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outdoors. Applying sunscreen before sun exposure allows it time to absorb into your skin.
  • Reapply every two hours. When outdoors, reapply sunscreen about every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the product label.
  • Don’t forget easy-to-miss spots. Apply sunscreen to areas that are often overlooked, including your feet, neck, hands, ears, and exposed scalp.
  • Protect your lips. Your lips can also become sunburned. Use a lip balm with sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher.
  • Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both types of harmful UV radiation: UVA and UVB. Check the label to make sure your sunscreen is broad spectrum.
  • Use water-resistant sunscreen when swimming or sweating. Water-resistant sunscreens are designed to maintain protection while you are wet. However, no sunscreen is completely waterproof or sweatproof. Reapply according to the product label, especially after swimming or heavy sweating.
  • Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand. These surfaces reflect UV rays and can increase your risk of sunburn.

Types of Sunscreens

The type of sunscreen you choose is a matter of personal preference. However, sunscreen products can vary in how they are applied and used. Always read and follow the directions on the product label before applying sunscreen.

Type
 Best For Benefits
Lotions & Creams Dry skin, everyday use, full-body coverage.
 Easy to apply evenly, moisturizing, great for dry or sensitive skin.
Gels

Oily or hairy areas (scalp, chest, arms).

Lightweight, non-greasy, absorbs quickly, good for athletes. Ideal for areas with hair or for people who dislike lotion texture.
Sprays
 Quick application, hard-to-reach areas, kids.
 Convenient, fast-drying, less mess. Must be applied generously and rubbed in for full protection; avoid inhalation.
Sticks Face, nose, ears, around the eyes. Portable, mess-free, doesn’t drip—great for small areas and on-the-go. Excellent for reapplying to sensitive spots during outdoor activities.
Tinted Sunscreens
 Face, daily use, even skin tone.

Offers sun protection plus light coverage. Good for those who want SPF and a subtle glow or color correction.

Insect Repellant Sunscreen: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) does not recommend using inspect repellant with sunscreen as your regular sunscreen. Sunscreens need to be applied generously and often; however, insect repellent should be used sparingly and much less frequently.

Babies & Sunscreen

Whenever possible, avoid using sunscreen on infants younger than six months. The best way to protect babies from the sun is to keep them in the shade and dress them in lightweight, protective clothing. Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible, while making sure your baby does not become overheated and gets enough fluids.

If shade and protective clothing are not available, you may apply a small amount of sunscreen to exposed areas of an infant’s skin.* Once your baby is back indoors, wash off the sunscreen.

*Sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, or sunscreens specifically made for infants or toddlers, may be less irritating to sensitive skin.

Sunscreen Expiration

Sunscreen can lose its effectiveness over time. Check the expiration date and discard any sunscreen that has passed its expiration date. If a sunscreen does not have an expiration date, assume it expires three years after purchase. Write the purchase date on the bottle to help track when it should be replaced.

Avoid storing sunscreen in direct sunlight or in hot places, such as inside a vehicle. Heat can cause sunscreen ingredients to break down more quickly and reduce its effectiveness.

1 Stern RS. Prevalence of a history of skin cancer in 2007: results of an incidence-based model. Arch Dermatol. 2010 Mar;146(3):279-82.