The average American starts caring about their skin at this age

Americans only start taking their sun-related skincare seriously at age 26, according to new research.

The poll of 2,000 U.S. adults found that before their mid-20’s, Americans aren’t taking proper care of their skin — which might be why respondents are four times as likely to get scalded by the sun than they are to use sunscreen.

The survey found 79% have experienced sunburn, while only a fifth admit to using facial sunscreen (20%) or body sunscreen (21%) daily.

Commissioned by Melanoma Research Alliance , the largest private nonprofit funder of melanoma research, and conducted by Talker Research, the survey also looked at the habits of different generations regarding sun protection.

Younger generations appear to be taking their skin health more seriously than older generations, as the results revealed that Gen Z are more likely to wear sunscreen daily, whether that’s body or facial sunscreen.

Over a third of Gen Z respondents reported wearing sunscreen daily (34% body, 35% facial), compared to about a fifth of Gen Xers (23% body, 18% facial).

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The survey also looked at how sunscreen usage varies by season, with one in five Americans dropping the use of sunscreen all together post Labor Day.

Despite the chance of a sunburn regardless of the weather, seven in 10 Americans think sunscreen is a “summer essential” while only three in 10 respondents include sunscreen in their “winter essentials.”

No matter the season, 54% of those who have had sunburns are concerned about having irreversible damage to their skin.

The survey revealed that the top reasons motivating people to wear sunscreen include concerns about skin cancer risks (41%), the convenience of sunscreen incorporated into daily moisturizers (31%) and fears of premature skin aging (22%).

The survey showed that women were more concerned about skin cancer risks than men. Only 39% of men report that the risk of skin cancer would encourage them to wear sunscreen daily, compared to women (42%).

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Despite 72% of Americans feeling knowledgeable about sun protection and 81% feeling informed about the risks of melanoma skin cancer, many respondents still aren’t incorporating sunscreen into their routine.

Seventy-two percent of respondents reported making sure that they have sunblock on when outdoors or in direct sunlight, while only 3% do so in less expected but potentially harmful situations such as when looking at a screen, on an airplane or at a nail salon.

“There are many common misconceptions about the importance of sunscreen and protecting your skin from the sun,” says Dr. Marc Hurlbert, CEO of Melanoma Research Alliance. “No matter if it’s a sunny or cloudy day, if you plan to stay indoors, or if you’re sitting by a window, in a plane, or in a car, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily – all year round – to protect yourself from harmful rays that can cause melanoma.”

When looking for more information about sun protection, respondents were equally likely to turn to search engines like Google as they were their doctor (32%).

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

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The survey data reveals that 39% of Gen Z prefer online search engines for sun protection, while 44% turn to social media, with 8% deciding to not rely on any specific source for such information.

Not only are respondents lacking the use of sunscreen in their everyday lives, but they are also lacking visits to the dermatologist as only 34% of Americans surveyed see a dermatologist, with 21% of them visiting less than once a year.

The survey also reveals that 54% of respondents prioritize their normal doctor appointments over dermatology visits, and about half are more likely to see a dermatologist for other skin-related issues like rashes, itchiness or eczema rather than to check for melanoma.

Despite the risks of melanoma, the survey also revealed various factors that influence people to not wear sunscreen, including the time of year (28%), overcast or rainy weather (23%), and daily UV index levels (12%).

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

TOP 7 REASONS WHY AMERICANS DECIDE TO WEAR SUNSCREEN:

• Avoiding sunburns 58%
• Concerns about skin cancer 56%
• Preventing premature skin aging 39%
• Skincare benefits 31%
• Doctor recommendations 19%
• Avoiding getting tanner 8%
• Social Media 6%

Survey methodology:

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

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