Sunrays and their association with skin damage have been known since medieval times. Sunscreens are useful products employed as photoprotectants against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Their demand has increased due to increased awareness of the risks of continuous sun exposure and its relationship to cancer. As a result, science, technologies, as well as the formulation of sunscreen have also advanced significantly. 

Global health agencies are now advocating the appropriate use of sunscreens to render protection against skin aging, tanning and melanomas. International regulatory agencies are also introducing requisite policies to enhance the oversight for the manufacture of quality sunscreen products compatible with emerging scientific knowledge. They are now reassigning the classification of sunscreen from general cosmetics to therapeutic drugs.

Furthermore, there have been constant concerns about the inhibitory effect of sunscreen on vitamin D synthesis; however, considerable studies have shown that sunscreen use does not affect the synthesis of vitamin D. Yet more extensive studies must confirm the authentic association between sunscreen use and vitamin D status.