Caffeine in sunscreen may cut skin cancer risk

Caffeine could be a useful addition to sunscreens since it both absorbs ultraviolet light and protects against skin cancer, say scientists.

A new study has shown how the coffee stimulant acts at the molecular level to prevent sunlight triggering tumour development in the skin.

The findings suggest “topical application” of caffeine in creams or lotions could help prevent sun-induced skin cancer.

A number of previous studies had already shown that coffee and tea consumption reduced the risk of less serious, non-melanoma, skin cancers caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays.

The new research led by Dr Allan Conney, from Rutgers University in New Jersey, US, tested the idea that caffeine interferes with a particular cancer-associated biological pathway. Caffeine is known to suppress an enzyme called ATR that “rescues” stressed or DNA-damaged cells.

Writing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists said: “These findings suggest the possibility of topical caffeine application could be useful in preventing UV-induced skin cancers.”

“An additional appealing aspect is that caffeine directly absorbs UV and thus also acts as a sunscreen, potentiating the efficacy of topical UV protection.”