Research has revealed the blind spot many people have when applying sunscreen – on and around the eyelids.
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A previous study conducted by the University of Liverpool found that many people weren’t applying sunscreen to their eye area even when they covered the rest of their face.
And the results were even worse in this current study when people were given SPF moisturiser instead of sunscreen.
About 14 per cent of participants completely missed their eye area with the sunscreen, while nearly 21 per cent missed with moisturiser.
Lead researcher Kevin Hamill said a post-study questionnaire showed participants weren’t aware of their incomplete coverage.
“Moisturiser is not as well applied as sunscreen; therefore, if planning prolonged sun exposure we advise sunscreen be used,” Dr Hamill said.
“If using moisturiser we advise one with SPF: any SPF is better than none but it should not be considered the equal of sunscreen.”
The Cancer Council Australia said it wasn’t surprised by the findings, as many people didn’t put any form of sunscreen directly on their eye area.
Heather Walker, Chair of the Council’s National Skin Cancer Committee, said that was why the recommended multiple forms of sun protection.
“The key takeaway is to heed our standard recommendation of five forms of sun protection; use sunscreen but use it alongside clothing, hats, shade and sunglasses as well,” Ms Walker said.
“This is a UK study but we know in Australia 85 per cent of Australians aren’t applying enough sunscreen in general across their whole body.”
Although the study was done in Britain it is of great interest to Australia, which recently regained the dubious honour of having the highest rate of melanoma in the world.
A broad brimmed hat will reduce the UV exposure to your eyes by 50 per cent, while adding sunglasses can reduce that to up to 98 per cent.
The study results surprised researchers who had been expecting to see greater eyelid coverage by the moisturiser because it was perceived as “gentler” and less likely to sting the eyes than sunscreen.
They said the results showed that overall people should not be complacent about sun exposure, even if they were wearing sunscreen or SPF moisturiser.
Ms Walker agreed, saying despite getting most of the publicity, they considered it the “last line of defence”.
“If you think about putting on a shirt, that’s a lot harder to apply incorrectly than sunscreen,” she said.
“You’re reducing the pitfalls we know people fall into by using multiple forms of sun protection.”
The research has been published on Thursday in the journal PLOS One.
