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The average American starts caring about their skin at this age


Americans start taking sun-related skin care seriously only after the age of 26, according to new research.

The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that Americans in their 20s don't take proper care of their skin — which is probably why respondents are four times more likely to get sunburned than those who use sunscreen.

The survey found that 79% of people have experienced a sunburn, while only a fifth admitted to using sunscreen on the face (20%) or sunscreen on the body (21%) daily.

New research shows that Americans start thinking about skin health only after the age of 26. nadezhda1906 – Stock.adobe.com

commissioned by Melanoma Research AllianceThe survey, conducted by Tocker Research, the largest private nonprofit funder of melanoma research, also looked at the habits of different generations when it comes to sun protection.

The younger generation is taking their skin health more seriously than the older generation, as results showed that Gen Z people are more likely to apply sunscreen daily, whether it's for the body or face.

More than a third of Generation Z respondents reported they apply sunscreen daily (34% on the body, 35% on the face), while nearly a fifth of Generation X respondents reported they apply sunscreen daily (23% on the body, 18% on the face).

The survey also looked at how sunscreen use changes by season, with one in five Americans stopping sunscreen use altogether after Labor Day.

Regardless of the season, despite the possibility of sunburn, seven in 10 Americans think sunscreen is a “summer essential,” while only three in 10 respondents include sunscreen among their “winter essentials.”

Irrespective of the season, 54% of sunburn sufferers are worried about causing irreparable damage to their skin.

Only 20% of Americans over the age of 20 use sunscreen daily. Puha – stock.adobe.com

The survey revealed that the top reasons motivating people to apply sunscreen include risk of skin cancer (41%), the convenience of having sunscreen included in a daily moisturizer (31%) and fear of premature skin ageing (22%).

The survey showed that women were more concerned about the risk of skin cancer than men. Only 39% of men reported that the risk of skin cancer would encourage them to apply sunscreen daily, compared to 35% of women (42%) who said the same.

Although 72% of Americans are knowledgeable about sun safety, and 81% are aware of the risks of melanoma skin cancer, many respondents are still not incorporating sunscreen into their daily routine.

72% of people say they try to apply sunscreen when they know they have to go outside. luengo_ua – stock.adobe.com

72 percent of respondents said they make sure to apply sunblock when they’re outside or in direct sunlight, while only 3 percent do so in less expected but potentially harmful situations, such as while looking at a screen, on an airplane, or at the nail salon.

“There are many common misconceptions about the importance of sunscreen and protecting your skin from the sun,” says Dr. Mark Hurlbert, CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance. “Whether it's a sunny or cloudy day, if you plan to be indoors, or sitting near a window, on a plane, or in a car, it's important to apply sunscreen year-round to protect yourself from harmful rays that can cause melanoma.”

When looking for more information about sun protection, respondents turned to their doctor as well as search engines like Google (32%).

Twelve percent also turn to social media, with Facebook (57%), YouTube (53%) and TikTok (47%) being the top platforms where respondents are looking for answers to their questions about sun protection.

Survey data shows that 39% of Generation Z prefer online search engines for sun protection, while 44% resort to social media, and 8% decide not to rely on any specific source for such information.

Not only do survey respondents not use sunscreen in their daily lives, but they also don’t visit a dermatologist, as only 34% of Americans surveyed visit a dermatologist, and 21% visit less than once a year.

54% of participants preferred to visit other doctors than see a dermatologist. Rido – stock.adobe.com

The survey also shows that 54% of respondents prefer to visit a general practitioner rather than a dermatologist, and almost half of respondents are more likely to visit a dermatologist for other skin problems such as rashes, itching or eczema rather than to be checked for melanoma.

Despite the risk of melanoma, the survey also revealed a variety of factors that influence people not to apply sunscreen, including the time of year (28%), cloudy or rainy weather (23%), and daily UV index levels (12%).

“At the Melanoma Research Alliance, we always say that the best sunscreen is the one you will use daily,” says Hurlbert. “Whether it's a mineral or chemical sunscreen, or with the use of a wide-brimmed hat and UPF clothing, it's important to protect yourself daily and visit your dermatologist annually for a skin check.”

The top 7 reasons Americans decide to wear sunscreen:

  • Protection from sunburn by 58%
  • Concern about skin cancer 56%
  • Prevention of premature skin aging by 39%
  • Skin care benefits 31%
  • Doctor's recommendations 19%
  • Avoid getting tanned 8%
  • Social media 6%

Survey Methodology:

Tocker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was commissioned by the Melanoma Research Alliance and administered and conducted online by Tocker Research between August 3 and August 8, 2024.

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