How Summer Skin Care Has Changed—and What Dermatologists Want You to Know
How Summer Skin Care Has Changed—and What Dermatologists Want You to Know
Popular descriptions of modern summer skin usually include terms such as “golden” or “sun-kissed.” But those phrases would most likely make your great-grandmother shudder. Former generations wouldn't dare venture outside without being covered head to toe, with a wide-brimmed hat to top it all off.
“The way we look at summer skin care has evolved greatly,” says Erika Summers, MD, director of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology at University of Utah Health. “Earlier generations spent more time outdoors, and many experienced painful sunburns that made them very cautious about sun exposure.”
From Porcelain Skin to Tanning Trends
At the beginning of the 20th century, pale, porcelain skin was seen as a sign of wealth and stature.
That changed as travel and outdoor leisure became more popular. Wealthy vacationers returned from beach destinations with tanned skin, and the look became the new beauty standard.
By the 1950s, suntan lotions were widely advertised to achieve a darker tan while still “protecting” the skin from burns.
“They claimed the product let in only the UV rays that promoted tanning and kept out the ones that burned you, which we now know is inaccurate,” Summers says. “Simply put—all freckling and tanned skin is damaged skin.”
Summer Skin Care Isn’t Just About Preventing Burns
Years ago, sunscreen was marketed primarily as a way to prevent sunburns. Today, dermatologists understand that much of the sun’s damage occurs cumulatively and well before a burn occurs.
We now know that wrinkles, sun spots, loss of elasticity, broken blood vessels, and many skin cancers results from years of repeated UV radiation, even when patients never experience a severe burn.
Research suggests that up to 80% of visible facial aging may be attributed to environmental exposures, with UV radiation being the most significant.
Sunscreen Has Improved Over Time
The first sunscreens with SPF (sun protection factor) appeared in the 1960s, but they offered very little protection. Many products had SPF levels as low as 2 to 4 and were thick, greasy, and difficult to apply.
During the 1970s and 1980s, tanning oils became more popular, even as researchers learned more about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunscreens slowly improved with water- and sweat-resistant formulas, but many advertisements still promoted sunbathing as the best way to take care of your skin.
“Tanning products claimed that sun would make your skin look younger and fresher, which we now know is false,” Summers says. “Most of my patients who applied iodine or baby oil to tan have more skin cancers, wrinkles, and sunspots than my patients who did not. The people who practiced good sun protection back then actually have the more youthful skin now.”
In the 1990s, sunscreens began including UVA blockers. Spray and gel sunscreens became more common. SPF also started to be featured in everyday products and levels of protection in sunscreen increased. By 2009, only 6% of sunscreens had SPF levels below 5.
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sunscreen labels to make them as easy to understand as possible for consumers. Products can no longer be called “sunblock” or “waterproof” and must clearly state the SPF level and whether they provide “broad-spectrum” protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Why Covering Up Still Matters
While sunscreen is important, dermatologists say protective clothing remains one of the best ways to prevent skin damage and skin cancer. Swimwear styles have changed dramatically over the last century, leaving more skin exposed to the sun. During the same period, melanoma rates continued to rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), melanoma rates have increased steadily in recent decades, while many Americans still do not use sunscreen regularly.
“Some of the best sun protection does not come from a bottle. Protective clothing and avoiding peak UV hours can provide more reliable protection than just sunscreen alone.”
Tips for Protecting Your Skin This Summer
To lower your risk of sun damage and skin cancer:
- Wear wide-brimmed hats and sun-protective clothing
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating
- Wear sunscreen year-round, even on cloudy days
“If you are insistent on looking tan, use a self-tanning product that also has an included sunscreen with SPF 30 or above,” Summers says. “It is a myth that the self-tanner alone provides adequate protection from the sun.”
If you have questions or concerns about your skin, connect with a dermatologist at University of Utah Health.
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