Is sunscreen effective sun protection?

This story is featured in the June 17, 2026 edition of Healthy Living. Visit our Special Sections page to read the whole magazine.As summer arrives and people spend more time outdoors, sunscreen once again becomes a seasonal staple. Yet alongside reminders about sun safety comes a question many people have asked:If sunscreen works, why do skin cancer rates continue to riseAccording to Dr. Stephen Sauer, a physician with ETSU Health Internal Medicine, it's a fair question. He recommends using sunscreen, but said that the full answer of its effectiveness requires looking at the big picture."On its surface, it's an easy and worthy question to ask," Sauer said. "Supposedly we've been wearing sunscreen and taking better care of ourselves for decades. So why aren't we seeing skin cancer rates fall?" Looking beyond the statistics Part of the answer lies in how physicians track disease."When tracking any illness, we distinguish between incidence, which means new cases appearing over time, and prevalence, which is the total number of cases in a population," Sauer explained.Both figures can rise as the population grows. Just as importantly, they are influenced by improvements in detection."Over the past several decades, our ability to recognize and diagnose disease has improved tremendously," Sauer said. "Rising skin cancer rates may reflect, at least in part, better detection rather than a true surge in disease." Dr. Stephen Sauer, a physician with ETSU Health Internal Medicine CONTRIBUTED/ETSU HEALTH Another factor is time. Skin damage accumulates over decades, and skin cancer often develops later in life."Any widespread adoption of sun-protective behaviors would take many years, even generations, to register in population-level data," Sauer said.That makes it difficult to draw simple conclusions, especially when other factors — such as the popularity of indoor tanning beds over the years — are added to the equation. What about sunscreen safety? Questions about sunscreen itself have also contributed to public confusion."There is evidence that sunscreen helps decrease skin cancer risk," Sauer said. "At the same time, it's reasonable to ask questions about the products we're using."Studies have found that some sunscreen ingredients can be detected in the bloodstream after application. However, no clinical trials have demonstrated harm in humans from FDA-compliant sunscreen products.The American Academy of Dermatology continues to recommend daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.Sauer noted that people looking for alternatives often overlook one of the most effective forms of protection: simply reducing UV exposure. A practical approach to sun protection Beyond sunscreen, there are straightforward ways to protect the skin.During peak summer hours — roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — UV intensity is significantly stronger than it is in the early morning or late afternoon. Limiting time in direct sunlight during those hours can reduce cumulative UV exposure.Physical barriers also remain highly effective."A long-sleeve shirt and a wide-brimmed hat offer reliable protection," Sauer said.For sunscreen, Sauer prefers tinted mineral versions containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, but he emphasized that protection is more important than perfection."If mineral sunscreen isn't available, I'll use whatever sunscreen is on hand," he said. "Any protection is better than none."While debates about specific products may continue, Sauer said the practical advice remains unchanged."The science of sun protection is more complicated than the marketing suggests," he said. "But the takeaways are simple: cover up, time your exposure wisely and, when in doubt, apply sunscreen."For questions about skin cancer prevention or your personal risk factors, talk with your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider, ETSU Health Internal Medicine is accepting new patients in Johnson City and Kingsport. Learn more at ETSUHealth.org.