A September 2025 Meta-Analysis Reopens the Sunscreen-and-Melanoma Debate
Headlines claiming sunscreen 'doesn't prevent melanoma' need context — here's why observational studies are messy and why dermatologists still strongly recommend SPF.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published September 2025 in Anticancer Research (Vol. 45, Issue 9, pp. 3595–3603) concluded that, in observational 'ever vs never' data, sunscreen use was neither a clear risk nor a protective factor for melanoma — a result the authors attribute largely to confounding by sun-seeking behavior.
Dermatologists note that people who use sunscreen often spend more time in the sun, so observational 'ever vs never' comparisons can mask sunscreen's benefit; that is why the strongest evidence for melanoma reduction comes from controlled trials rather than population surveys.
Questions we get a lot
Did the 2025 meta-analysis prove sunscreen doesn't work?
No. The September 2025 meta-analysis in Anticancer Research found that, in observational data comparing 'ever vs never' users, sunscreen was neither a clear risk nor a clear protective factor for melanoma. The authors stress this likely reflects confounding by sun-seeking behavior, not a finding that sunscreen is ineffective.
Why do sunscreen and melanoma studies give confusing results?
Most are observational, meaning they compare people who chose to use sunscreen with those who didn't. Sunscreen users often have more sun exposure and fairer, higher-risk skin, which can cancel out the protective signal in the data. Controlled trials and the broader body of evidence still support sunscreen for reducing sun damage and skin cancer risk.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'A new study says sunscreen doesn't prevent melanoma — should I stop bothering with SPF?'