Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate sun protection behavior among middle-aged and elderly women in Beijing. Methods The central （Xuanwumen district） and peripheral areas （Yanqing district） of Beijing city were selected for investigation from May to June in 2016. By random sampling and field investigation, interviewees completed questionnaires with the help of dermatologists. Results A total of 400 females aged 40 - 90 years were investigated, including 190 in the Xuanwumen district and 210 in the Yanqing district. Among all the subjects, the average duration of outdoor activities was 2 hours. Moreover, 117 （29.2%） of the 400 interviewees had the active sun exposure habit, including 38 （18.1%） in the Yanqing district and 79 （41.6%） in the Xuanwumen district, and the proportion of subjects with the active sun exposure habit significantly differed between the two districts （χ2 = 26.582, P < 0.001）. In addition, 67 （16.8%） interviewees had a sunburn history, and 130 （32.5%） were used to applying sunscreen. The proportion of sunscreen users was significantly higher in moderately or highly educated women （103 ［45.2%］） than in lowly educated women （28/172 ［16.3%］, P < 0.001）. The proportion of sunscreen users in women with skin type Ⅲ （41.2% ［70/170］） was significantly higher than that in those with skin type Ⅳ （26.5% ［61/230］, P = 0.002）. The scores for facial skin aging and dorsal hand skin aging were both significantly lower in sunscreen users than in non-users （Z = 18.536, 10.731, P = 0.002, 0.026, respectively）. Conclusion The active sun exposure habit in the middle-aged and elderly women differs between the central and peripheral areas of Beijing, and the use of sunscreen is associated with education level.

Key words: Sunbathing, Sunburn, Suntan, Skin aging, Sunscreening agents