Using sunscreen every day is an easy way to protect your skin from sunburn, early aging, and skin cancer. And yes, you should wear it all year, even if it’s cloudy or you’re mostly indoors.

This article from The Lett Center covers why daily SPF matters, how to protect your skin all year, and answers the most common questions about sunscreen.

Why You Should Wear Sunscreen Year-Round

It’s important to wear sunscreen all year because you’re exposed to UV rays every day. UVA rays, which speed up skin aging, can pass through clouds and windows. UVB rays cause sunburn. Both types can damage your skin and raise your risk of aging and cancer.

You don’t need hours in the sun to get UV damage. Even short, daily exposure adds up. Screens, like your phone, computer, tablet, and TV, are part of the year-round skin protection conversation as well. They don’t give off UV rays, but they do emit blue light, which can lead to changes in your skin cells that may accelerate aging, trigger pigmentation, and weaken your skin barrier.

Making sunscreen part of your year-round morning routine helps protect against daily UV and blue light exposure, which can negatively affect skin health and appearance.

Benefits of Wearing Sunscreen Every Day

Wearing sunscreen every day helps prevent sunburn, lowers your risk of skin cancer, slows early skin aging, keeps your skin tone more even, reduces the worsening of brown spots and discoloration, and supports long-term skin health. Sunscreen also helps protect the results of treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, laser sessions, and other skin care services.

While sunscreen does not stop aging and can’t prevent every skin concern, when used consistently, it is one of the most effective daily steps for protecting your skin and preserving the results of your skin care and aesthetic treatments.

Are There Disadvantages of Using Sunscreen Daily?

There can be disadvantages to sunscreen, such as greasiness, pilling under makeup, skin irritation, and the possibility of clogged pores and acne breakouts, but those issues are usually connected to the formula, not the sunscreen itself.

You can avoid this by choosing a sunscreen labeled non-comedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, or designed for sensitive skin.

Is Sunscreen Toxic?

There are no scientific studies that definitively link commercially available sunscreens to human toxicity. The “sunscreen is dangerous” debate exists around three specific areas of concern:

  • Potential Bloodstream Absorption: The debate over sunscreen safety began when FDA clinical trials revealed that several legacy chemical filters, including oxybenzone and avobenzone, can penetrate the skin barrier and enter the bloodstream. However, the FDA explicitly states that bloodstream absorption does not mean these ingredients are hazardous.  It simply means they require updated safety testing to evaluate long-term safety.
  • Manufacturing Contamination: Years ago, headlines emerged that sunscreen causes cancer, but this was not due to any intentional sunscreen ingredient. It stemmed from a recall of aerosol sunscreens that had been contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen that isn’t normally found in sunscreen.
  • Environmental Concerns: Some sunscreen ingredients, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been linked to coral reef toxicity, prompting some states and municipalities to restrict or ban sunscreens containing these ingredients.

If you’re worried about ingredient absorption or environmental impact, mineral-based sunscreens offer an alternative to chemical sunscreens, and the FDA recognizes them as safe and effective.

Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen: What’s the Difference?

Mineral Sunscreen

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both. These ingredients sit on the skin’s surface and protect you by absorbing, reflecting, and scattering UV rays.

They are categorized by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE). The downside is that mineral formulas can feel thicker or leave a white cast, although newer tinted and sheer options are easier to wear.

Chemical Sunscreen

Chemical sunscreens use filters that absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, which is then released from the skin. They usually feel lighter, blend in well, and work under makeup. However, some people worry that unsafe levels could be absorbed through the skin, potentially affecting hormone activity or raising other health concerns.

Bemotrizinol, a newly approved chemical ingredient that the FDA formally designated as “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE), may offer a stronger safety profile.

In June 2026, Bemotrizinol became the first new active ingredient added to the over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen monograph since the late 1990s. It’s been used in Europe and Asia for years, protects well against UVA and UVB, doesn’t leave a white cast, and its large molecular size keeps it entirely on the skin’s surface.

What Are the Best Sunscreens for Daily Use?

For daily use, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect against UVA and UVB rays. In terms of formula, the best sunscreen is the one that works for your skin type and that you will wear consistently.

When choosing sunscreen, look for:

  • SPF 30 or higher
  • Broad-spectrum coverage
  • Water resistance for outdoor activity
  • Non-comedogenic labeling for the face
  • Fragrance-free options if your skin is sensitive
  • A texture that is non-oily and works under makeup if you wear it
  • Tinted mineral sunscreen if you are frequently in front of screens that emit blue light
  • Mineral-based sunscreens or, once they become available, bemotriziol-based formulas if you’re concerned about ingredient absorption or spend time in areas that restrict certain chemical sunscreens.

To learn more, read “What Should I Look for in a Sunscreen Product?”

Beyond Sunscreen: Other Ways to Protect Your Skin Year-Round

Wearing sunscreen every day is the first step in protecting your skin year-round, but it works even better when combined with other healthy habits.

  • Wear UPF-rated clothes and accessories to cover areas that sunscreen might miss or rub off.
  • Pick a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses to shield your scalp, ears, eyelids, and the sensitive skin around your eyes.
  • Consider UV-blocking window film for your car and home, especially if you spend a lot of time near windows.
  • Avoid peak sun when the sun’s rays are strongest, which is typically late morning through mid-afternoon.
  • Use antioxidant serums to help protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by UV rays and environmental factors.
  • Consider professional skin treatments, such as chemical peels, laser treatments, or microneedling, to help improve the appearance of sun damage, uneven skin tone, and uneven skin texture.
  • Schedule regular skin screenings, especially if you notice a changing mole, new lesion, or spot that bleeds, itches, or does not heal.

FAQ About Sunscreen

How does SPF in sunscreen work?

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, shows how well a sunscreen protects you from UVB rays, which cause sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Higher SPF means more protection, but no sunscreen blocks all UV rays.

Remember, SPF doesn’t measure protection against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and can cause premature aging.

What ingredients should I look for in a good sunblock?

Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and make sure it’s at least SPF 30. From there, it depends on personal preference and skin type.

Can I use daylong sunscreen under makeup?

You can wear sunscreen under makeup, but be careful with the idea of “daylong” protection. Sunscreen should be applied as the last step in skincare, before makeup, and reapplied during extended outdoor exposure, sweating, or swimming. Choose oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreens, especially if your skin is sensitive or prone to breakouts.

Schedule a Skin Health Consultation at The Lett Center in Middle Tennessee

About 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer by age 70, but only 14% wear sunscreen daily. That’s why The Lett Center in Mt. Juliet and Lebanon, TN, always recommends a quality, non-cosmetic sunscreen as the base of your skin care routine.

Whether you need help choosing the right daily sunscreen, protecting your skin after a professional skin treatment, or addressing visible signs of sun damage, our aesthetics team can help you understand your options.

Schedule a consultation at The Lett Center to create a skin care plan that keeps your skin healthy and protected all year.