Where Are Adults Getting Sunburned?

Water-related activities were the most commonly reported setting for recent sunburn, while more than one-half of respondents reported sunscreen use at the time of their most recent sunburn.

By
Kathryn Wighton
June 29, 2026
4 min

Conexiant

Overview

In 2024, an estimated 88.1 million U.S. adults reported at least one sunburn, with 61% citing time spent near water as the most common context. Despite sunscreen use, 55% of respondents experienced sunburn.

Background

Sunburn is a significant public health concern, as it increases the risk of skin cancer, the most common cancer type in the United States. This report utilizes data from a large, nationally representative survey to explore the contexts in which adults experience sunburn.

Data Highlights

Statistic	Value
Adults reporting at least one sunburn	88.1 million (35%)
Adults reporting four or more sunburns	18.8 million
Most common context for sunburn	Time spent near water (61%)
Sunburn despite sunscreen use	55%
Sunburn prevalence among adults aged 18-29	46%

Key Findings

61% of adults reported their most recent sunburn occurred while spending time in, on, or near water.
55% of respondents experienced sunburn despite using sunscreen.
Among adults aged 18 to 29 years, 46% reported at least one sunburn in the previous year.
Non-Hispanic White adults had a 46% prevalence of at least one sunburn.
42% of adults with a college degree reported at least one sunburn compared to 18% with less than a high school education.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should emphasize the importance of consistent sunscreen application and protective behaviors, especially in contexts where sun exposure is high. Understanding demographic variations in sunburn prevalence can help tailor educational interventions.