Despite growing awareness around sun protection and early detection, melanoma rates continue to climb. New data from the American Cancer Society’s annual cancer statistics report suggests the trend isn’t slowing in 2026.
An estimated 112,000 new cases of melanoma are projected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026—up about 6.7 percent from last year’s estimate of 104,960 cases. That figure refers specifically to invasive melanoma, meaning the cancer has moved beyond the top layer of skin and carries a higher risk of spreading. The organization also projects an additional 122,680 cases of melanoma in situ, the earliest and most treatable stage of the disease.
And while melanoma is relatively rare compared to other skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, it remains the deadliest. About 8,510 people are expected to die from the disease this year, with older men continuing to face the highest risk.
The upside is that melanoma is very treatable when it’s caught early. Keeping an eye on your skin (and noticing when something looks new or different) really matters. Dermatologists often refer to the ABCDE rule when looking at moles: asymmetry, uneven borders, changes in color, a spot larger than a pencil eraser in diameter and evolution over time. That said, not every melanoma fits neatly into that checklist. That's why noticing when something looks different to you and getting it checked matters just as much. It's always better safe than sorry.
And it can’t be overstated: daily sun protection matters. While melanoma can develop in people with a strong family history of the disease or those with many moles, the ACS notes that "most skin cancer cases and deaths are caused by exposure to UV radiation." At a minimum, that means applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day and limiting sun exposure when possible.
Thankfully, sunscreens have come a long way in recent years, with formulas that feel genuinely good on skin, unlike the pasty, sticky and opaque versions many of us grew up with. Below, four best-selling favorites I reach for myself—after trying hundreds of formulas—because they’re the kind you’ll actually want to use every day.
