Do not put sunscreen on the eyelids can increase the risk of skin cancer

Olivia Petter

People who apply a moisturizer with sun protection factor on their faces tend to forget about key areas that could put them at risk for skin cancer, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have discovered that the application of moisturizers with SPF on the face does not exist on the most vulnerable areas of the skin, such as eyelids, compared to conventional sunscreens.

This study, published in "PLOS One", examined how 84 people (62 women and 22 men) had applied both a moisturizer and a sunscreen with SPF on their face.

Participants were then asked to document their application process by taking photos with a UV-sensitive camera, which would allow researchers to identify areas of the face that had not been covered.

The researchers found that when applying the SPF Moisturizer, 16.6% of the entire face was missing. Meanwhile, when sunscreen was applied, this figure was significantly lower at 11.1%.

The study indicates that this difference is mainly due to the decrease in coverage around the eyelids, 21% moisturizer and 14% sunscreen.

After the study, participants completed a questionnaire about their application habits of sunscreen and SPF moisturizer. He revealed that most people were unaware that they had not completely masked the face.

The authors of the study said: "When applying sunscreen and moisturizer, it is often missing the eye area, especially near the nose. Participants used a moisturizer to cover a smaller area of ​​the face compared to sunscreen. "

The researchers concluded that more attention should be paid to the eyelid area when applying any type of SPF, given the thinness of this area.

"Alternative methods of protecting the eyelids should be considered, such as UV filter sunglbades," they added.

"The moisturizer is not as well applied as the sunscreen; Therefore, if you plan for prolonged exposure to the sun, we recommend using sunscreen. If you use a moisturizer, we recommend one with an SPF: all SPF is better than nothing, but it should not be considered a sunscreen. "

Gigi Shaker, a veteran medical esthetician at the Young LDN Skin Care Studio, says the amount of sunscreen you apply to your face and neck should be the size of a 10-percent piece.

"Gently rub your face evenly and make sure to apply it all over your face for full coverage," she advises.

"Reapply twice a day, but if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors, you should apply it every two hours." Know that you touch your face, whether you're sweating or not. that you practice a sport, sweat and even friction make the sunscreen slip quickly from your skin, leaving you unprotected. "

Overexposure of the sun to the eyelid has been badociated with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a melanoma-free skin cancer that mainly affects the face, head, ears and neck. CBC is also the most common type of all skin cancers in the UK.

To protect your skin in the sun, the British Skin Foundation recommends wearing sunscreen with a high-protection SPF (SPF 30 or higher) and a pair of sunglbades with UV protection.

L & # 39; Independent