Sunscreen has come under attack recently, leading some to wonder if it’s still a cornerstone of healthy skin.

Despite claims to the contrary, sunscreen-use remains vital to protecting skin from damage, disease, and signs of aging.

Here are six reasons why sunscreen is still your skin’s best friend.

1. It’s Essential for Long-Term Skin Health

According to dermatologists, sunscreen is one of the best ways that individuals can preserve the long-term health of their skin. Think about it. On a daily basis, skin cells are vulnerable to cumulative damage from ultraviolet rays.

While wide brimmed-hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing can help, they are unable to fully shield skin from damage on their own. That’s why you should always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF.

2. Sunscreen Protects Against Skin Cancer

Sunscreen is an extremely powerful tool in combating skin cancer, as it filters UV light, which is responsible for 80-90 percent of skin cancers.

Sunscreen has also been clinically-proven to reduce the risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

3. It Has Significant Anti-Aging Benefits

In addition to its many health benefits, sunscreen-use provides significant cosmetic advantages.

More specifically, it can help prevent the development of fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and visible blood vessels and maintain a youthful and radiant complexion.

4. Sunscreens Are Highly Regulated in the U.S.

While many other countries consider sunscreen to be a cosmetic product, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regards it as a drug and scrutinizes it as such.

5. Sunscreen Is Safe

The FDA has declared two of the main components of sunscreen, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, to be “Generally Regarded as Safe and Effective.”

Sunscreen research is ongoing, and under the FDA’s Sunscreen Innovation Act, 12 UV-filtering ingredients are currently being reviewed.

6. Sunscreen Is Effective

When it comes to sunscreen efficacy, the incidence of sunburns or sun damage may have more to do with user-error than the product itself.

Accordingly, it’s important to ensure that you select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF and apply the lotion, cream, or spray liberally and often enough.

Learn More About Sunscreen and Sun Protection

If you would like to learn more about skin health and sun protection, please call our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled and experienced board-certified dermatologists.