Does sunscreen prevent skin cancer?

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1. 1

   Effects of sunscreen on skin cancer and photoaging

   Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine (Iannacone et al.)Published Jan 14, 2014Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Application of sunscreen to the skin is widely used as an adjunct strategy, along with wearing protective clothing and seeking shade, to protect against skin cancer and photoaging that result from excessive sun exposure. Many epidemiological studies of case-control and cohort study design have studied the effects of sunscreen use on skin cancer, and more recently photoaging, but their findings have been mostly uninformative. This review of results of randomized controlled trials shows that the evidence, though limited, supports beneficial effects of sunscreen application on the occurrence of skin cancers and skin photoaging.”

2. 2

   Topical Sunscreen Application Preventing Skin Cancer: Systematic Review

   Cosmetics (Perugini et al.)Published Jul 11, 2019Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Sunscreen employment and efficacy stay controversial despite decades of humane use with health benefits closely related. At the present, few studies still found a connection between the use of sunscreen and not significant long-term benefits from UV induced damages. To assess the effects of sunscreens for preventing melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer (basal or squamous carcinoma and melanoma) and precancerous skin lesions. Method: Published literature (1993–2017) was reviewed and eligible studies that reported the impact of sunscreen use in the prevention of melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, or precancerous skin lesion were selected. Result: Starting from 532 sources, a total of seven articles met the inclusion criteria and they have been subjected to a systematic review. All of the included studies suggest that sunscreen use is associated with a reduction in melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and precancerous skin lesions; however, the difficulties in evaluating the efficiency of sunscreen were pointed out. The review of the experimental evidence supports the topical application of sunscreen as an effective effort in preventing skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions.”

3. 3

   Reduced Melanoma After Regular Sunscreen Use: Randomized Trial Follow-Up

   Journal of Clinical Oncology (Green et al.)Published Dec 7, 2010Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Ten years after trial cessation, 11 new primary melanomas had been identified in the daily sunscreen group, and 22 had been identified in the discretionary group, which represented a reduction of the observed rate in those randomly assigned to daily sunscreen use (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% CI, 0.24 to 1.02; P = .051). The reduction in invasive melanomas was substantial (n = 3 in active v 11 in control group; HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.97) compared with that for preinvasive melanomas (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.81). Melanoma may be preventable by regular sunscreen use in adults.”

4. 4

   Photoprotection for Skin Cancer: What's New.

   Cancers (Gilaberte et al.)Published Feb 15, 2026Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Daily sunscreen use significantly reduces AK and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk individuals, although evidence for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma prevention remains heterogeneous. Balanced broad-spectrum protection, including UVA and visible light filtering, seems to be important, whereas high-energy visible light needs further investigation. DNA-repair enzymes have shown reductions in cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and clinical improvement of AK. Antioxidants such as Polypodium leucotomos extract, topical and oral, exhibit preventive effects on actinic damage and carcinogenesis. Topical and especially oral nicotinamide demonstrate chemopreventive potential in immunocompetent patients. Vulnerable populations-including transplant recipients, XP patients, individuals with albinism, and outdoor workers-require tailored photoprotection strategies with demonstrated benefit. Photoprotection extends far beyond UV filters, encompassing biological ingredients, antioxidants, oral supplements, and broad-spectrum strategies that target the full exposome. Comprehensive, behaviour-based photoprotection programmes are essential for high-risk groups.”

5. 5

   Chemoprevention of keratinocyte carcinomas and actinic keratoses in adults who were immunocompetent: a systematic review.

   Clinical and experimental dermatology (Susanto et al.)Published Jun 1, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adults who were immunocompetent evaluating topical or oral agents vs. placebo/control and reporting KC or AK incidence. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool.ResultsEleven RCTs (n = 7355) were included. Daily sunscreen significantly reduced the incidence of AKs by 24-51% across three trials (P ConclusionsThis is the first systematic review focused exclusively on chemoprevention in adults who were immunocompetent to the best of our knowledge. Sunscreen remains the foundation of skin cancer prevention. Nicotinamide and 5-FU show promise, whereas retinoids and DFMO lack sufficient efficacy or safety for routine use. Future trials should evaluate long-term nicotinamide efficacy, optimize 5-FU regimens and include more diverse populations to enhance generalizability.”

6. 6

   Point: Sunscreen Use Is a Safe and Effective Approach to Skin Cancer Prevention

   Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention (Green & Williams)Published Oct 1, 2007Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “Again, there is no convincing evidence that long-term use of sunscreen causes either unsafe reduction in vitamin D levels or increased risk of melanoma (11, 26-29).In conclusion, broad-spectrum sunscreens are an important part of skin cancer prevention, but not the whole solution. When used as an adjunct to protect skin from harmful UV exposure, broad-spectrum sunscreen can prevent occurrence of squamous cell skin cancers safely and effectively. Existing data from randomized controlled trials evaluating sunscreen use that show reduction in solar keratoses (markers of increased risk of melanoma and BCC), a suggestion of long-term BCC reduction in adults and in children, decreases in melanocytic nevi (melanoma risk-markers/precursors) are not inconsistent with the ultimate preventability of BCC and melanoma by sunscreen as well. Currently, however, evidence of effective prevention of BCC and melanoma by broad-spectrum sunscreen use remains insufficient.”

7. 7

   The Rise in Homemade Sunscreen Trends and Future Impacts on Skin Cancer Risk: Systematic Review.

   JMIR dermatology (Kaftan et al.)Published Jul 3, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “Digital content that included or discussed homemade sunscreen recipes was included as well to provide examples of information trending online.ResultsOne study analyzing social media trends found that many strong, unverified claims relating to homemade sunscreen versus commercial sunscreen use are being presented in the media, potentially influencing public knowledge. Additional studies analyzing the components of homemade sunscreen recipes compared to components in commercially available products found that homemade sunscreens offer little to no sun protection, therefore increasing the risk of UV damage for individuals using homemade products.ConclusionsBased on the presented evidence, the adoption of unregulated homemade sunscreens presents a substantial threat to public health. Misinformation spread through social media and influencer culture may unintentionally contribute to an increase in UV-related skin cancers. Greater efforts are needed from health care professionals, regulatory bodies, and online platforms to educate the public and promote the use of scientifically validated sun protection methods.”

8. 8

   The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer

   Canadian Medical Association Journal (Sander et al.)Published Dec 13, 2020Checked Oct 3, 2026

   “KEY POINTS In Canada, more than 80 000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year.[1][1] Because exposure to ultraviolet radiation is estimated to be associated with 80%–90% of skin cancers, the use of sunscreen — which blocks ultraviolet radiation — is promoted as an important means of”

9. 9

   Chemoprevention in Skin Cancer: What Advice?

   Cancers (Ortiz-Brugués et al.)Published Jan 29, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “The incidence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) is increasing worldwide. While NMSCs are more common, melanoma remains the most challenging because of its higher aggressiveness. Although the use of sunscreens is key in high-risk populations, it provides limited protection, which highlights the need for alternative solutions. In this review, we discuss current evidence on chemopreventive therapies, as well as their efficacy and adverse events, including immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Acitretin, nicotinamide, 5-fluorouracil, and photodynamic therapy have shown overall promising results in actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma. Nevertheless, more research is needed to establish their efficacy, particularly in melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and cutaneous lymphoma, due to their higher mortality rates.”

10. 10

    Increasing topical sunscreen use in German outdoor workers: results of a non-randomised controlled intervention study.

    BMC public health (Dick et al.)Published Sep 23, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

    “After six months, 97 participants in the intervention group and 86 in the control group completed the study. At baseline, 54.7% of participants in both groups reported sunscreen use in general at least sometimes. At T2, this proportion increased to 83.5% in the intervention group compared with 52.3% in the control group. The number of reported sunburns decreased over time in both groups, with a stronger reduction observed in the intervention group; however, the group × time interaction did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsA simple workplace intervention consisting of facilitated sunscreen provision and brief health education was associated with a substantial increase in sunscreen use over the six-month follow-up period. This low-threshold approach represents a feasible and scalable strategy for occupational skin cancer prevention.Trial registrationThe study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Osnabrück University and registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00035178; registration date: 10 October 2024).”

11. 11

    Evolving sunscreen-use prevalence, patterns and perceptions from an online survey of digitally active Africans.

    Skin health and disease (Cole-Adeife et al.)Published May 7, 2026Checked Oct 3, 2026

    “This study explores, via a prospective cross-sectional online survey, sunscreen-use patterns and perceptions among digitally active people from sub-Saharan Africa. The survey reveals that 64% of respondents use sunscreen, primarily to prevent photoageing and hyperpigmentation, with broad-spectrum SPF >30 products the most commonly used. Fifty-six percent report reduced hyperpigmentation and sunburn with use. This study reports increased sunscreen use and knowledge of perceived benefits compared with previous African studies; however, knowledge gaps and cosmetic concerns (whitish casts and oiliness) are commonly reported.”