PSA: Your Eyelids Are The Most Cancer-Prone Part Of Your Face

Unless you are sure you have every inch of your face covered in sunscreen right now, sit down. We need to talk.

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The UVA rays that increase your risk for cancer are a year-round thing. That’s why it’s smart to slap on a little SPF moisturiser every morning, and yes that’s true even if you’re a dude, even if you have dark skin, even if you plan to stay inside all day, even in winter.

As a bonus, you’re also protecting yourself against wrinkles and the thickening of the skin that comes with ageing.

But even if you remember to apply sunscreen, chances are you’re forgetting your eyelids. The eyelids account for 10 per cent of all skin cancers, but a study on sunscreen application in the UK found that many of the subjects missed the eyelids and the skin near the inner corners of the eyes.

There’s good news, though. People applied sunscreen much better after being given a handout with this message:

Skin cancers most commonly occur on sun exposed areas of the body. Most skin cancers occur in the face with 10% of all skin cancers occurring on the sensitive eyelid area which is thinner and therefore more sensitive to sunlight. Using sunblock reduces the risk of getting skin cancer.

So now you’ve read that message too, and can make sure to get your morning moisturiser onto and around your eyelids. If you wear makeup, consider an SPF eyeshadow to make sure you haven’t missed a spot.