Having too much exposure to sunlight and getting burnt is most dangerous when it occurs before the age of 18, but that doesn’t mean adults are in the clear. In fact, as we get older and our skin gets thinner, we’re more likely to experience burns and the subsequent cell mutation that can lead to skin cancer.

“Older people do have fewer surface lipids, making the skin more dehydrated and vulnerable to greater inflammation,” says Mary Lupo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Orleans, Louisiana. “Also, the top layers of skin thin with age, allowing UV to penetrate more easily and deeper.” And according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “the body’s natural ability to repair damaged DNA diminishes, increasing the likelihood of abnormal cell growth that can cause mutations leading to skin cancer.”

Despite being more susceptible to skin cancer, people over 50 are less likely to use sunscreen, found the Centers for Disease Control.

“As a dermatologist who has treated thousands of skin cancers and precancers, I believe that not a single person should test out their chances of getting sunburn,” says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Aventura, Florida. “Sunscreen is a must if you want to avoid aging changes and skin cancer.”

Beyond protecting you from literal cancer, sunscreen is also the best anti-aging product out there. “As a second-generation derm, I don’t have sun damage at 57, nearing 58, years old,” says Heidi A Waldorf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Nanuet, NY. “My biggest concern is maintaining my skin—not wiping away old damage.” SPF is something you want to put on every day, rain or shine, because “we can still get UV rays through windows, while driving, and even during short exposure times like walking a dog,” says Dr. Lupo.

Finding a sunscreen you love is super personal. “When I recommend sunscreens, I always tell patients that if they find a sunscreen that they like better they should use that,” says Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida. “It’s really important to emphasize that the best sunscreen is the sunscreen you want to put on every day.” So to give you some inspiration, we have five dermatologists ages 50 and up here to share their favorite sunscreen for mature skin.

Best sunscreen for mature skin

Heidi A Waldorf, MD 

Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD

Mary Lupo, MD

Loretta Ciraldo, MD

Ellen Marmur, MD