4 Things You Need to Know About Sunscreen

Skin cancer is common among older adults, and its incidence is increasing. Here’s what you need to know about a common form of protection

Rachel Nania,

AARP

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Published August 15, 2025

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Many older adults can recall a time when it was fashionable to slather on baby oil and iodine to lie in the sun.

These days, those tanning rituals have largely been swapped for sunscreen, wide-brim hats and sun shirts. And for good reason: Studies show that regular use of sunscreen — along with other sun-protective measures — can significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous type.

It’s estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they turn 70 — and the risk doesn’t stop there. In fact, skin cancer is more common in older adults, and a recent study published in the journal JAMA Dermatology found that skin cancer incidence is increasing in older individuals.

“That 60-plus population, I see a ton,” says Anthony Rossi, M.D., a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Despite its proven benefits, sunscreen has come under fire in some corners of social media, leading some people to skip it altogether. Experts say this isn’t new; questions about sunscreen’s safety and effectiveness have surfaced before.

Here’s what you need to know about sunscreen and how to keep your skin safe as you age.

What does sunscreen do?

Simply put, sunscreen prevents ultraviolet (UV) rays from damaging the skin.

Our skin cells use melanin, a natural pigment, to shield the part of the cell where our DNA is stored from sun exposure, explains Kelly C. Nelson, M.D., a physician in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Think about a suntan: “It’s the increased melanin that occurs in response to chronic UV exposure,” Nelson explains.

Still, melanin offers only a small amount of protection from UV rays, which is where sunscreen comes in.

Sunscreen works by either blocking UV rays from penetrating the skin, much like a shield — these are called physical blocker, or mineral, sunscreens — or by absorbing UV radiation (chemical sunscreens).

Both forms protect the skin from damage that could lead to cancer; they also protect or reduce “the aging of your skin from the sun,” Rossi says.

Is sunscreen safe?

Multiple expert groups, including the American Academy of Dermatology, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommend sunscreen as one way to help lower the risk of sun damage.

Still, a recent national survey found that an estimated 11 percent of Americans don’t wear sunscreen, and misinformation threatens to grow that share.

One reason for resistance is skepticism over chemical ingredients used in some sunscreens, such as oxybenzone, which some research has linked to hormone disruption. However, medical experts say there has been no conclusive evidence that oxybenzone is harmful to humans, though research is ongoing.

“I want to make sure patients know sunscreens have been around for a while, and for the most part, if there were any broad-stroke health issues related to application, we would likely know by now, particularly because people who use sunscreen tend to access health care fairly regularly,” Nelson says.

What’s more, “the risk of not wearing sunscreen outweighs those other risks of systemic absorption, by far,” Rossi adds.

The American Cancer Society expects that 104,960 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2025; about 8,430 will die from it.

Are there chemical-free sunscreens?

Yes. Nelson says people who are concerned about chemicals in their sunscreen can opt for mineral sunscreens, which are made of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Know that some mineral options can have a thicker, chalkier appearance, Nelson says, but they are still “a very good physical blocker for your skin.”

Mineral sunscreens, which are becoming increasingly easier to find on store shelves, also tend to cause less skin irritation than their chemical counterparts.

No matter what type of sunscreen you choose, opt for something with an SPF of at least 30, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends.

Does sunscreen block vitamin D?

Worried that blocking the sun will affect your vitamin D levels? No need to fret.

“There have been good studies that show that you’re still making vitamin D [with sunscreen on] and you’re still synthesizing it from the sun,” Rossi says.

A literature review of more than 70 studies published in the British Journal of Dermatology found little evidence that sunscreen decreases vitamin D in real-world settings.

Rossi adds that if you’re a diligent sunscreen wearer and are concerned about your vitamin D levels, talk to your doctor about supplementation. You can also get vitamin D from foods such as salmon, eggs and milk.

What else do I need to know?

While sunscreen is an effective tool for sun protection, it’s not the only tool. And in fact, the CDC says it works best when combined with other options, such as sun-protective clothing.

“Sun-protective clothing has gotten better by leaps and bounds,” Nelson says. “There are many more stylish options for full-coverage beachwear. And for people who are athletic, who golf and run and bike, the breathability and protection factor of the fabrics is so much better than even what was available five and 10 years ago.”

Another thing to keep in mind: Protection from UV rays is important year-round, not just in the summer. Time of day also matters. According to the CDC, UV rays tend to be strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Finally, remember to check in with your doctor or dermatologist often for skin checks or if you notice changes in your skin. “Any skin cancer is easier to treat when it’s diagnosed early than when it’s diagnosed late and requires more extensive treatment,” Nelson says.

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