The number of people who reports using sunscreen daily has also steadily increased in recent years.
Sunscreen can help prevent skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States.
Heres what it’s crucial that you know tochoose a safe and effective sunscreen.
Verywell Health / Dennis Madamba
Did You Know?
What Is UV Light?
UV light is a kind of radiation from the sun that you cannot see with your naked eye.
There are two types of UV lightUVA and UVB.
Both types can cause long-term skin damage and can lead to cancer.
Many sunscreen makers use the label broad-spectrum to indicate their product protects against both UVA and UVB.
SPF indicates how well the sunscreen protects against UVB radiation.
But for longer periods of time outdoors, opt for a sunscreen with SPF 50 and above.
The sun emits UV rays dailyrain or shineand UVA rays can penetrate windows.
Sunscreens protect the skin differently depending on their ingredients.
Chemical sunscreens act as a sponge to absorb UV radiation, Lee said.
They include chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate.
These sunscreens need to be applied at least 15 minutes before going outside to be fully effective.
Some people prefer chemical sunscreens because they dont leave behind a white cast.
But that easy absorption could mean that harmful ingredients are leaching into the bloodstream and causing damage elsewhere.
There is no evidence that these ingredients when applied to the skin are toxic or actually cause harm.
The FDA study did not suggest that these ingredients are unsafe, Lee said.
One of the most commonly used sunscreen chemicals is oxybenzone.
He said it’s difficult to remove oxybenzone from the sunscreen market largely due to its high efficacy.
Oxybenzoneas many of the U.S.-approved UV filtershas been in use since the 1970s.
The research, which is currently underway, is a particularly large undertaking, Lim said.
Scientists will have to closely study the health effects of exposure in animal models and consider how chemicals interact.
What About Benzene?
Benzene is not intentionally added to sunscreen but is a contaminant of the manufacturing process.
The U.S. has relatively few approved active ingredients for use in sunscreen, which Lim said limits sunscreen makers.
“In the U.S., it’s a bit more challenging.
Mineral Sunscreens Are a Safe Option
Mineral sunscreens tend to be a safer alternative to chemical sunscreens.
It mainly contains naturally occurring minerals like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
Sunscreen makers sometimes reduce these minerals to tiny particles to minimize the look of white cast in mineral sunscreens.
These nanoparticles can be 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
The FDA categorizes these nanoparticles as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE).”
Building a Good Sun Protection Regimen
Slathering on layers of sunscreen throughout the day can become tedious.
Taking other measures to minimize sun exposure can keep your skin safe.
Clothing made of fabric with a tighter weave tends to provide more protection.
Sunscreen is important, but of course not the only component, Lim said.
When wearing sunscreen on exposed skin, be mindful that it can wear off throughout the day.
If you wear makeup, Lee recommends using sunscreen powderto refresh your SPF throughout the day.
The best sunscreen for you is the one that you will actually use every day.
But its equally important to apply the right amount and to reapply often.
The AAD recommends using one-third to a half a teaspoon of sunscreen for the face and neck.
And most adults should use about one ounceenough to fill a shot glassfor the entire body.
National Cancer Institute.Sun-protective behavior.
Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer facts and statistics.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sun protection factor.
American Cancer Society.Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Consumer Reports.What does SPF stand for?
American Academy of Dermatology.How to apply sunscreen.
An overview of endocrine disrupting properties of UV-filters.Int J Androl.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sunscreen drug products for over-the-counter human use.
Federal Register, 2019.
