Daily sunscreen

What it is

Active ingredients are the ones that protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. MedlinePlus says a mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Sources: FDA: Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun ↗ · MedlinePlus (NIH): Sun protection: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia ↗

How it's thought to work

• Sunscreen forms a chemical barrier that absorbs or reflects UV rays before they can damage the skin.
• Broad spectrum sunscreens help protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
• SPF mainly shows protection against UVB, the rays that cause sunburn.

Source: FDA: Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun ↗

What people use it for

• The FDA says sunscreens used as directed with other sun protection can help prevent sunburn and lower risks of skin cancer and early skin aging.
• MedlinePlus says sun exposure causes many skin changes, such as skin cancer, wrinkles and age spots.
• MedlinePlus says clouds and haze do not protect you from the sun.

Sources: FDA: Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun ↗ · MedlinePlus (NIH): Sun protection: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia ↗

What the research has found so far

A randomized trial found daily use slowed visible skin aging.

On Daily sunscreen and aging, PubMed lists 82 trials in people, 77 studies that watched people over time, 69 animal and lab studies. See the counts and searches

Side effects and risks

Infants are at greater risk of side effects such as a rash.

Source: FDA: Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun ↗

Who should be careful, and drug interactions

• Sunscreen is not recommended for infants under six months old.
• MedlinePlus says not to use sunscreen on babies under 6 months without first talking to a health care provider.
• Spray sunscreens should never be applied directly to the face.
• The FDA says expired sunscreens may not be safe and effective anymore.

Sources: FDA: Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun ↗ · MedlinePlus (NIH): Sun protection: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia ↗

Amounts used in studies

What studies or labels describe, not a recommendation.

• The FDA says an average adult needs at least one ounce of sunscreen to cover the body.
• The FDA says to reapply at least every two hours, and more often when swimming or sweating.
• The FDA says to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure.
• MedlinePlus says to apply it 30 minutes before going outdoors.

Sources: FDA: Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun ↗ · MedlinePlus (NIH): Sun protection: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia ↗

Roughly what it costs

The one product we list that contains Daily sunscreen costs $46, as read from the makers' pages. See the products

Questions to ask your doctor

• Is Daily sunscreen a sensible option for me, given my health and the medicines I take?
• Could Daily sunscreen interact with any medicine or supplement I already take?
• What side effects should I watch for, and when should I stop or call you?
• Would Daily sunscreen be used for its approved purpose, or off-label for aging?
• How would we tell whether it is helping, and when should we review it?