Sunscreen is safe, it works and nearly everyone needs it, including people with dark skin, people who spend most of the day indoors and people who only go outside in cooler months. Dermatologists at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Stanford Medicine say a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30, applied generously and reapplied about every two hours, remains one of the best defenses against skin cancer and early aging.
Yet myths about sunscreen keep spreading, often online. Some of the most stubborn ones land hardest on Black and brown communities, where many people grew up hearing that melanin was all the protection they needed.
Do people with dark skin need sunscreen?
Yes. Melanin offers a small amount of natural protection, but it does not stop sun damage. MD Anderson dermatologist Anisha Patel says people with darker skin can still sunburn, develop skin cancer and show signs of aging from UV exposure. Sun exposure is also one of the leading causes of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, concerns many people with melanin rich skin already fight.
There is another layer most sunscreen guides leave out. Some skin cancers in Black patients appear in places the sun rarely reaches, such as the palms, the soles of the feet and under the nails. Reggae legend Bob Marley died in 1981 of a melanoma that began under his toenail. Sunscreen alone cannot prevent those cancers, which is why checking your whole body, including your feet and nails, matters just as much.
Does sunscreen cause cancer?
No. Patel says there is no medical evidence that sunscreen causes cancer, while the evidence that UV rays from the sun and tanning beds cause it is overwhelming. Some sunscreens were once recalled for benzene contamination, but benzene is not a normal sunscreen ingredient, and the recall was not a reason to stop protecting your skin.
Stanford dermatologists add that worries about hormone disruption come mostly from animal and lab studies using high doses, and no definite link has been found in people. Some ingredients can irritate sensitive skin, so fragrance free mineral options may help.
Is mineral or chemical sunscreen better?
Both work if they are broad spectrum and used correctly. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays, while mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sit on the skin and reflect them.
Many people with darker skin avoid mineral sunscreen because it can leave a chalky white cast. That cast is real, and it is one reason some people quit sunscreen altogether. Tinted mineral formulas and sheer chemical options can solve that problem. As Stanford’s Joyce Teng puts it, the best sunscreen is the one you will actually use.
Do you need sunscreen in fall, winter or indoors?
Yes, and October is a good reminder. Clouds filter some UVB rays but not UVA rays, which are linked to melanoma. Snow reflects sunlight, and high altitudes increase exposure. Most windows also let UV rays through unless they have special film, so daily errands, commutes and sunny office desks all add up over time.
Is SPF in makeup enough?
Usually not. Patel says makeup often contains only SPF 5 to 15, well below the recommended 30. Use sunscreen underneath or choose makeup that meets that level, and reapply during the day.
How much sunscreen should you use and how often?
Most people use far too little. Teng says an active person spending regular time outdoors should finish a 6 to 8 ounce bottle in about two weeks. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. The FDA says no sunscreen is truly waterproof, only water resistant for 40 or 80 minutes.
Higher SPF helps, but less than people think. SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 about 97% and SPF 50 about 98%.
Does sunscreen expire?
Yes. Expired sunscreen is not dangerous, but it stops working. Heat speeds that up, so a bottle left in a hot car can fail before its expiration date.
Protect your skin with sunscreen, shade, hats and clothing, and see a dermatologist about any spot that changes, bleeds or will not heal.
