Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and data show that one in five Americans develops skin cancer by the age of 70. For healthy skin, experts advise that protection not only prevents cancer, but also the benefits of anti-aging are important.
However, there are thousands of products in the market, with many social media accounts, blogs and forums offering advice and sharing skincare routines. So there’s a lot to analyze, especially on the topic of sunscreen, when it comes to skin health.
There are many misconceptions, including “Who needs sunscreen?”, “Do I really need to reapply sunscreen? When? When?” “Do I need to use sunscreen even in winter?”
CNBC spoke to Dr. Adam Friedman, professor and chair of the dermatology of GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, sharing some facts about sunscreen that may surprise you.
1. Applying sunscreen is just as important as brushing your teeth
Many Americans don’t think applying sunscreen is very important. According to a 2024 survey of 2,200 Americans, only 17% of US adults who reported using sunscreen every day.
Friedman wants to change the story. “I want people to think about using sunscreen, like brushing their teeth.”
If you don’t leave the house without brushing your teeth, he wants you to look at sunscreen the same way. “Like we protect our teeth, we need to protect our biggest organ: our skin,” says Friedman.
2. Most people forget to apply sunscreen to their eyelids, ears and lips
Before you go out that day, you will probably apply sunscreen to your face, but there are common areas that will be overlooked.
“I think a lot of people avoid lips. I think they are actually more susceptible to harm from UV rays because they lack the specific things our skin has,” says Friedman. If you’re worried about accidentally putting sunscreen in your mouth, there’s a lip balm with SPF, he adds.
He also found that people forget to apply sunscreen to their eyes and eyelids, and research confirms that it is fairly common. The skin on the eyelids is so thin that it is more susceptible to UV damage, Friedman said.
The other area people miss is the ears. “You can see a lot of skin cancer in what is called helical rims. They are at the top of the ears and are not easy to treat skin cancer,” says Friedman.
“I tell the patient, ‘I’m glad you got a face. Do extra squirt for the ears, neck and back of the hands.” It’s probably daily exposure. ”
3. There is no difference in feel or cost, but higher SPF is more efficient
“Sunscreen cannot promote skin cancer, skin aging, or skin aging unless it has SPF 15 or higher,” says Friedman.
Here are the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendations for sunscreen:
Resistant broad-spectrum protection below SPF 30 (protects UVA and UVB rays)
SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, and SPF 50 can protect from about 98%, explains Friedman. Most people “can’t get 100% protection unless you apply two-half milligrams of sunscreen to a half centimeter. That’s a lot of sunscreen,” he says.
“So I push a higher SPF. There’s really no difference between feel and texture or cost. It knows you don’t put on the right amount, so at least it keeps you in the range that’s still effective.”
4. Aim to reapply every two hours on days when you leave for a while
Dermatologists suggest reapplying sunscreen every two hours, but Friedman is realistic about how difficult it is.
“I apply in the morning, but I’m not out at all. I’m not near the window,” he says. In many cases he is applied only once a day.
On days he plans to go outside more than usual, he suggests that he is more intentional to apply every two hours. If you sweat a lot or just leave the pool, you may lose a layer of sunscreen and you will need to reapply again.
“Technically, you need to reapply every two hours. I say technically, because I’m a realist and who’s going to actually do that,” Friedman says. “Do everything you can.”
5. You should wear sunscreen every season even in winter
“Sunscreen is all year round,” Friedman says. “There are a variety of factors that affect your UV index depending on when it comes to the time and where you are in the world. So I don’t think it’s a versatile thing.”
Even when UV indexes are relatively low, Friedman realizes that people are much more likely to remember that they use sunscreen in general.
There is a common skin condition called dermatosis, which usually affects people when they get older. This condition explains how the skin becomes more prone to breakage and bruising, and “it’s most common in the forearms because we forget to protect it,” says Friedman.
“These big purple spots on the arm, or these small white star-shaped scars, are this chronic injury that we accumulate over time. We can guarantee a lot of accumulation not from the summer, but perhaps during the winter when we are not properly protecting ourselves.”
Last chance to save: Want to stand out, grow your network and get more employment opportunities? How to sign up for CNBC’s Smarter to build a standout personal brand online, online, in-person, in the workplace. Learn how to showcase your skills, build a great reputation, and create a digital presence that AI can’t replicate. Sign up today with coupon code Earlybird to receive a 30% introductory discount on the regular course price of $67 (tax). The offer is valid until July 22, 2025 and September 2, 2025.
Additionally, we request that you sign up for CNBC to connect with experts and peers in our newsletter, money, and life to get tips and tricks for success in the workplace.
