Is it better to wear or not wear sunscreen?

Author: Conner Lindgren V  |  Last update: Sunday, May 25, 2025

Wearing sunscreen is one of the best — and easiest — ways to protect your skin's appearance and health at any age. Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging. To help make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, dermatologist Anna Chien addresses common concerns.

Is it OK to never wear sunscreen?

“The UVL rays cause damage to our skin cells increasing the risk of skin aging and skin cancer. Using sunscreen on a daily basis is critical to protect the skin cells from this damage. This includes cloudy days when up to 80% of the UVL rays will penetrate through the clouds.”

What are the benefits of not using sunscreen?

With a healthy amount of sun exposure, Vitamin D from the sun can reduce cancer cell growth, help control infections, and reduce inflammation. And we're not just hypothesizing. Sun exposure benefits have been scientifically proven.

What happens to your skin if you don't use sunscreen?

  • Increased Risk of Sunburn: Without sunscreen, your skin is more susceptible to sunburn, which can cause redness, pain, and peeling.
  • Skin Aging: Prolonged sun exposure without protection can lead to premature skin aging, characterized by wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.

What are the disadvantages of using sunscreen?

Side Effects
  • Acne.
  • burning, itching, or stinging of the skin.
  • early appearance of redness or swelling of the skin.
  • late appearance of rash with or without weeping blisters that become crusted, especially in sun-exposed areas, and may extend to unexposed areas of the skin.
  • pain in hairy areas.
  • pus in the hair follicles.

SPF | Do I Need It? | Why I Don't Wear An SPF

What did people do before sunscreen?

Many cultures developed their own methods to keep their skin from burning, from pastes and lotions derived from ingredients found in nature, to special clothing that warded off the sun. It's fascinating to know how far we've come with sun protection, especially since nowadays, sunscreen is nearly invisible on the skin.

Is sunscreen damaging to the skin?

As the researchers pointed out, just because an ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream does not mean that it is harmful or unsafe. Most importantly, the study authors and the FDA concluded that people should continue to use sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun.

Do you age faster if you don't use sunscreen?

For example, persistent sun exposure without sunscreen can cause you to age prematurely, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and even skin discoloration. If you experience repeated sunburns over a number of years, you could also increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Is there a natural alternative to sunscreen?

Plant Oils

Studies have shown that herbal oils contain natural sun protection factors, although most of them remain under SPF 10. In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Young Pharmacists, researchers found that calendula oil can be used to protect the skin from UV radiation with an SPF of around 15.

Is it really necessary to wear sunscreen?

Wearing sunscreen is one of the best — and easiest — ways to protect your skin's appearance and health at any age. Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging. To help make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, dermatologist Anna Chien addresses common concerns.

Why do most people not wear sunscreen?

Participants with higher skin cancer risk (e.g., pale skin) were less likely to use sunscreen infrequently or never. The major reasons for not using sunscreen were inconvenience and no perceived need for applying sunscreen.

What is the best sunscreen for your face?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen.
  • Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Sunscreen.
  • Best Tinted: Jan Marini Marini Physical Protectant Tinted.
  • Best for Dark Skin: Unsun Cosmetics Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen.
  • Best for Sensitive Skin: Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral Sunscreen.

Should I skip sunscreen?

One of the most significant consequences of skipping sunscreen is accelerated aging. Prolonged exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays can lead to premature wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

Which sunscreen is best?

Sunscreen
  • BESTSELLER. Vitamin C + E Sunscreen, SPF 50+ PA++++ ...
  • BESTSELLER. Watermelon Cooling Hyaluronic Acid Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ ...
  • BESTSELLER. Strawberry Dew Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ ...
  • BESTSELLER. ...
  • JUST IN. ...
  • TRENDING. ...
  • BESTSELLER. ...
  • Swim + Sports Sunscreen SPF 50+ (Water Resistant)

Is it too late to start wearing sunscreen?

If you didn't use sunscreen when you were younger, you may think that the damage is done. But it's never too late to start protecting your skin. Our expert says a good sun safety routine can make a big difference at any age.

Does sunscreen block vitamin D?

UVB wavelengths happen to be the specific wavelengths that trigger vitamin D production in the skin. Nonetheless, clinical studies have never found that everyday sunscreen use leads to vitamin D insufficiency. In fact, the prevailing studies show that people who use sunscreen daily can maintain their vitamin D levels.

What is the healthiest sunscreen to use?

However, those seeking the safest products in the US market should look for physical, also known as “mineral,” sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. That's because “there are fewer concerns about absorption and safety”, says King.

Can I use coconut oil instead of sunscreen?

While not suitable as a primary sunblock for extended sun exposure, coconut oil can be integrated into sun care routines as an after-sun soother or in sunscreen formulations. For comprehensive sun protection during outdoor activities, rely on dedicated sunscreens, using coconut oil as a supplementary skincare treat.

Can I use vaseline as sunscreen?

SKIN PROTECTION AGAINST UV RAYS

Stepping out every day into the sun can damage your skin by causing it to dry and become uneven-toned. Help improve, prevent and protect your skin against UV rays with Vaseline®.

What ages your face the most?

Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.

Are there benefits to not wearing sunscreen?

Sunshine seems to make a strong case against daily sunscreen. When we step outside on a clear day, the sun's ultraviolet light triggers the body to produce endorphins that lower stress and boost mood. UV rays also tell our skin to make vitamin D.

At what age does most sun damage occur?

Dr. Beer: It's actually a myth that 80 percent of sun damage to the skin is done before age 18. Only about 23 percent of a person's lifetime exposure occurs by age 18. Adults over 40—especially men—actually have the highest annual exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Do we really need sunscreen?

What is toxic, however: not wearing sunscreen whenever you spend time outside—wearing sunscreen is vital to preventing skin cancer and the other harmful effects of UV damage.

Which sunscreen brands should I avoid?

WHAT SUNSCREENS ARE UNSAFE TO USE
  • Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70.
  • Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration Sunscreen Clear Spray, SPF 70.
  • Bare Republic Clearscreen Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100.
  • Banana Boat Ultra Defense Clear Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100.

What is the safest time to be in the sun?

This lead us to conclude that for optimal vitamin D synthesis at minimal risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), the best time for sun exposure is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thus, the common health recommendation (that sun exposure should be avoided between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and postponed to the ...

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