--- description: Learn how to help prevent skin cancer by protecting yourself against the sun's rays with a comprehensive approach. title: Skin Cancer Prevention image: https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/bannerswebwinterprevention.jpg --- [Home](https://www.skincancer.org/) › Skin Cancer Prevention # Skin Cancer Prevention ## Protect Yourself With a Complete Approach Skin cancer prevention requires a comprehensive approach to protecting yourself against harmful ultraviolet [(UV)](http://skincancer.org/blog/dress-to-protect-5-things-that-affect-how-well-your-clothes-block-uv-rays/) radiation.  That’s because UV radiation from the sun isn’t just dangerous, it’s also sneaky. Not only can it cause premature aging and [skin cancer](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/), it reaches you even when you’re trying to avoid it – penetrating clouds and glass, and bouncing off of snow, water and sand. What’s more, sun damage accumulates over the years, from prolonged outdoor exposure to simple activities like walking the dog, going from your car to the store and bringing in the mail. **The Skin Cancer Foundation** recommends that you: - **Seek the shade**, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM. - **Don’t get [sunburned](http://skincancer.org/risk-factors/sunburn/).** - **Avoid [tanning](http://skincancer.org/risk-factors/tanning/)**, and never use UV tanning beds. - **Cover up **with [clothing](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sun-protective-clothing/), including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking [sunglasses](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/eye-protection/). - **Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen** with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) [sunscreen](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/) with an SPF of 50 or higher. - **Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen** to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or excessive sweating. Find sunscreen by searching our [Recommended Products.](http://skincancer.org/recommended-products/) - **Keep newborns out of the sun**. Use [sunscreen on babies](http://www.skincancer.org/blog/bringing-up-a-sun-safe-baby/) over the age of six months. - **Examine your skin** head-to-toe [every month](http://skincancer.org/early-detection/self-exams/). - **See a dermatologist** at least once a year for a professional skin exam. - **Get all the details: **[*Your Daily Sun Protection Guide*](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/). [Skin Cancer Prevention PDF.](https://www.skincancer.org/download-pdf/) ![](https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2023-07-21-at-9.01.18-AM-541x600.png "Screenshot 2023-07-21 at 9.01.18 AM") *Intended only for personal use. Do not copy or distribute. To purchase the brochure, visit store.SkinCancer.org.* **Download the Kids & Sun Protection PDF:** Name \* First Last Email \* Sign up for our newsletter: - I would like to sign up for the Skin Cancer Foundation Newsletter Submit![Loading]() Thank you for signing up!  [**Download PDF **](https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/SCF_Kids_Brochure_0419_Final.pdf) [Sunscreen](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/ "Sunscreen") [Clothing](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/clothing/ "Sun Protective Clothing") [Eye Protection](http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/eye-protection/ "Eye Protection") [Recommended Products](http://www.skincancer.org/recommended-products/ "Recommended Products") ## Sun & Skin News [A Sun Smart Resolution: Three Ways to Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk in 2026](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/a-sun-smart-resolution/)![Have you decided on a New Year’s Resolution yet? It’s not too late! Resolving to take better care of your skin is a great place to start improving your health: after all, it is the body’s largest organ.]() [Healthy Lifestyle](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/healthy-lifestyle/) ### [A Sun Smart Resolution: Three Ways to Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk in 2026](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/a-sun-smart-resolution/) [Sunscreen Safety: The Facts](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sunscreen-safety/)![Misinformation about sunscreen safety has been circulating on social media for years. The most recent claim, that wearing sunscreen is harmful and may even cause skin cancer, is not only false but dangerous. We asked a top expert to weigh in on this concerning trend.]() [Healthy Lifestyle](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/healthy-lifestyle/) [Skin Cancer Myths & Misinformation](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/skin-cancer-myths-misinformation/) ### [Sunscreen Safety: The Facts](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sunscreen-safety/) [Hiding in Plain Sight: NYPD Veteran Uncovers Clues for Detecting Skin Cancer ](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/hiding-in-plain-sight-nypd-veteran-uncovers-clues-for-detecting-skin-cancer/)![Manhattan skyline on a sunny day Empire State Building on the right, New York, United States]() [This Is Skin Cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/) ### [Hiding in Plain Sight: NYPD Veteran Uncovers Clues for Detecting Skin Cancer ](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/hiding-in-plain-sight-nypd-veteran-uncovers-clues-for-detecting-skin-cancer/) Last updated: March 2025 Open menu Menu Close menu SearchSearch ```json {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/","url":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/","name":"Skin Cancer Prevention - The Skin Cancer Foundation","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bannerswebwinterprevention.jpg","datePublished":"2018-07-24T13:38:57+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-27T13:44:51+00:00","description":"Learn how to help prevent skin cancer by protecting yourself against the sun's rays with a comprehensive approach.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bannerswebwinterprevention.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bannerswebwinterprevention.jpg","width":1920,"height":1008,"caption":"mother and son walking on snow on a sunny day"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Skin Cancer Prevention"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/","name":"The Skin Cancer Foundation","description":"Education, prevention, early detection, and treatment of skin cancer","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#organization","name":"The Skin Cancer Foundation","url":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/SCF-Logo-2025-4C.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/SCF-Logo-2025-4C.png","width":1199,"height":1254,"caption":"The Skin Cancer Foundation"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/skincancerfoundation","https:\/\/x.com\/skincancerorg","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/skincancerorg\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/the-skin-cancer-foundation\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/skincancer\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/SkinCancerFoundation","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Skin_Cancer_Foundation","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@skincancerorg"],"description":"The Skin Cancer Foundation saves and improves lives. 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