Half of Americans said they use sunscreen for aesthetic reasons.

While half of the US population is aware of the importance of sun protection and state they use sun protection during sun exposure, only 37 percent are using it on a daily basis, according to new survey from ISDIN.

In the survey of more than 102,000 consumers in the U.S. and Europe, half of Americans said the use sunscreen for more aesthetic reasons, particularly with the objective of preventing sun spots and wrinkles (52 percent), followed by a worry of developing skin cancer (27 percent). Women tend to prefer using sunscreen for more aesthetic reasons (48%), while men prioritize the use of sunscreen for health reasons (44 percent). 

"We see that people protect their skin the most during the summer months or when they sunbathe, but daily sun protection is crucial," says Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon. "UVB rays cause the typical sunburns we're more used to seeing during the summer, but UVA radiation, which is present year-round, causes skin aging, sun spots, and more serious pathologies, such as cancer."