It has been shown that the regular use of sunscreen can reduce the incidence of skin cancer – in particular melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Some population studies have shown that people who have used sunscreens seem to have a higher incidence of skin cancer. However, this tends to be the lower SPFs (below 15) and the likelihood is that the creams were used to aid tanning and thus people were deliberately seeking the sun. One Norwegian study showed that people who had used sunscreen of SPF15 or greater on one occasion had a lower incidence of skin cancer.
The prevention of skin cancer (and skin ageing) trumps the unproven claims of harm from sunscreen.
