Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., affecting roughly one in five Americans in their lifetime.¹ That’s why it’s so important to protect your skin when outdoors. Wearing sunscreen, in addition to seeking shade and wearing sun-protective clothing, can help prevent skin cancer and painful sunburns.

Everyone should wear sunscreen*

Sunscreen use can help prevent skin cancer by protecting you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of age, gender, or skin tone. Sunscreen can also help prevent premature skin aging, such as wrinkles and age spots, caused by too much unprotected UV exposure.

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

Sunscreen Safety Tips

You should apply sunscreen every day and every time you will be outside. The sun emits harmful UV rays year-round—not just in the summer. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate the clouds.

• Use an SPF 30 or higher. SPF 30 blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun's UVB rays.
• Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outdoors. This allows the sunscreen to fully absorb and activate.
• Reapply every two hours. When outdoors, reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.
• Don’t forget easy-to-miss spots. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your feet, neck, hands, ears, and exposed scalp.
• Protect your lips. Your lips can also get sunburned. Apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen. Broad spectrum sunscreens help protect against both forms of UV radiation: UVA and UVB. Not all sunscreens are broad spectrum, so it is important to read the label.
• Use water-resistant sunscreen when swimming or sweating. Water-resistant sunscreens are designed to stay effective when you're wet. Just keep in mind that no sunscreen is “waterproof” or “sweatproof.” Water-resistant sunscreen should also be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand. These surfaces can reflect UV rays and can increase your chance of sunburn.

Types of Sunscreens

The type of sunscreen you use is a matter of personal choice. Just keep in mind that the directions for using sunscreen products can vary according to their forms. Always read the label beforehand.

Babies & Sunscreen

If possible, avoid using sunscreen on infants younger than six months. However, if shade and adequate clothing aren't available, you may apply a small amount of sunscreen.* It should then be promptly washed off once the baby is indoors.

Ideally, parents should avoid exposing babies younger than six months to direct sunlight. The best way to protect infants from the sun is to keep them in the shade as much as possible, as well as dressing them in protective clothing. Just make sure your baby doesn’t get overheated and drinks plenty of fluids.

Sunscreen Expiration

All sunscreens break down over time and can become ineffective or even harmful once expired. Check for an expiration date and discard the product if the listed date has passed. If there isn’t an expiration date, assume it expires three years after purchase and write the date you bought the sunscreen on the bottle. Furthermore, avoid leaving sunscreen containers under direct sunlight or in a hot environment such as inside of a car. This will only speed up the rate that sunscreen ingredients break down.

^{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.}