(August 15, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Several commonly used moisturizers stimulate the growth of skin cancer tumors in mice who have been exposed to UV radiation, according to research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Here are some tips for reducing your risk of skin cancer:

•    Limit the amount of time you spend in bright sunlight. The sun is usually strongest between 11 AM and 3 PM

•    Wear clothing that covers most of your body and use sunblock with an SPF of at least 15 when you are in the sun.

•    Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat in the sun.

Researchers out of Rutgers University in New Jersey exposed hairless mice to UV radiation in order to mimic sun exposure. They then applied four different brands of moisturizer to some of the mice.

The mice who were moisturized had faster tumor growth and developed more tumors than those who were not moisturized. The investigators then created a moisturizer containing none of the ingredients that they believed were most likely to be responsible for these results. This time, the moisturizer had no effect on tumor growth.

Mouse and human skin are very different, so this study is not suggesting that common moisturizers stimulate skin cancer. However, the findings indicate that further research should be conducted into the effect of certain ingredients in these moisturizers on skin cancer rates.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.