Sunscreen isn’t just a summer essential – it’s a year-round must-have. Let’s separate fact from fiction and debunk some of the most common sunscreen myths so you can protect your skin the right way – every day.
These days, everyone is aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen. When it comes to protecting our skin from damaging sun rays that can lead to sun poisoning, blisters and cancer – sunscreen is one of the best lines of defence. And yet, there’s no shortage of misconceptions floating around about the how, what and why of using it.
Unfortunately, believing everything you hear can spell bad news for your skin, leaving it vulnerable to damage. Whether you’re lounging at the beach or just running errands, untangling these misconceptions and myths could save your precious skin in the long run.
Here’s 10 sunscreen myths you need to forget!
Myth #1 – You Only Need Sunscreen on Sunny Days
Think clouds are your shield? Think again. Sun damage isn’t about heat – it’s caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which penetrates through clouds and fog – even glass. With 90% of UV rays passing through clouds, this means that UV rays can harm your skin on overcast days or even when you’re indoors near a window and can actually be more intense due to reflection from them.
Get into the habit of applying your SPF as the last step in your morning skincare routine – rain hail or shine (and regardless of whether you plan to leave the house or not.)
Myth #2 – All Sunscreen Is The Same
Yes, the goal of all sunscreen is to protect your skin from sun damage. But each product works differently, depending on its ingredients and level of sun protection.
There are generally two broad categories of sunscreen – chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone, which absorb the sun’s rays and converts them to heat which is then released from the body.
Physical sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreens, have ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium oxide, which work by reflecting the sun rays. The ingredients in sunscreen determine how they protect your skin from the sun.
Myth #3 – Higher SPF Equals Higher Protection
Think sunscreen is a magical shield? Think again. It’s a common misconception that many of us have, thinking that slathering on sunscreen with a higher SPF will block out all sun exposure. Not quite! SPF doesn’t block UV rays entirely; instead, it essentially works by extending your skin’s natural burn time, so while you may feel “protected,” that doesn’t mean you’re entirely shielded.
You would think the higher the number, the more protection you get and it’s easy to assume that SPF 50+ means you’re covered all day. While higher SPF does provide more protection, it doesn’t mean you can skip reapplying.
SPF 50 blocks roughly 98% of UV rays whilst SPF 100 only blocks 99%, a marginal difference and it’s important to remember that no sunscreen can give you complete protection against the sun, nor shield you from the UV rays entirely. The higher SPF’s tend to give people a false sense of security against the sun, often leading to skin damage.
What does the number on your bottle of sunscreen actually mean? SPF stands for sun protection factor and measures how long a sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. This metric is based on how long it takes your skin to burn in the sun without protection. For example, if it took 30 minutes and you applied SPF 30, it would take 30 times longer – 300 minutes total.
Caution: these numbers were determined in a lab, with perfect application that doesn’t account for things like sweat, skin oils or accidentally rubbing the product off.
Myth #4 – Applying Once A Day Is Enough
Applying sunscreen once in the morning under makeup isn’t enough to keep you protected all day. Sunscreen breaks down over time, especially with sweat, sun exposure, or product transfer. Best practice is to reapply your sunscreen every two hours to maintain its effectiveness. Tip for those that do wear makeup, invest in an SPF spray to carry in your bag for easy re-application on the go.
Myth #5 – Products Containing SPF Offer Enough Protection
Just because your makeup, moisuriser or other skincare product claims to have SPF, you should definitely not be relying solely on it for your daily protection, and it’s not a replacement for a separate dedicated sunscreen. Most cosmetic products don’t offer broad-spectrum protection, and you’d need to apply a very thick layer to get the labelled SPF benefit.
When testing, skincare companies test with thick layers of the product to determine the SPF. In practice, you’re probably not getting all the SPF on the bottle if you only apply a thin layer of the product.
Using a moisturiser or makeup with SPF included is a great way to add more sun protection (think of it as an additional layer of defence) but it’s not enough to provide adequate protection from the sun alone. Instead, you absolutely need a dedicated SPF preferably one with a minimum of 50+ – especially here in Australia where the UV intensity is higher and the rays much stronger.
In short? There’s just way too much variation in how people apply these products to say it’s enough.
So, whilst makeup and other products with SPF is a nice addition, they are not a replacement for sunscreen.
Myth #6 – Sunscreen Only Belongs On Your Face
Repeat after us: sunscreen is for all exposed skin! Your face might get the most attention, but UV damage doesn’t discriminate. Your neck, hands, arms or any other exposed area need protection too. Over time, sun damage on these often-neglected spots can cause premature aging, sunspots and increase your risk of skin cancer. A simple rule: if it sees the sun, it needs sunscreen!
Myth #7 – Dark Skin Doesn’t Need Sunscreen
No matter your skin tone, UV radiation can damage your skin and increase cancer risk. Darker skin has more melanin, which provides some natural protection, but it’s not enough to prevent UV-induced harm. Everyone, regardless of skin colour, should wear sunscreen daily to protect against photoaging, pigmentation and melanoma. Sun safety is universal.
Myth #8 – Water Resistant Sunscreen Is Waterproof
Tell me if this sounds familiar from childhood: Your mother would lather you in sunscreen at the pool and make you sit there while it dried before jumping in the water. It turns out she was right: ‘water-resistant’ does not mean ‘waterproof’ and water will always wash sunscreen off the skin. Accordingly, wait 10 to 15 minutes before getting in the water after applying sunscreen.
Once applied and dried, no sunscreen can fully withstand water exposure indefinitely. Whilst water-resistant sunscreens protect you for about 40 to 80 minutes in the water (depending on the label), they begin to lose effectiveness after a certain amount of time.
After swimming or sweating, reapply immediately to ensure continuous protection. Whether you’re hitting the beach or lounging poolside, reapplication every 2 hours is non-negotiable, even if you haven’t gotten in water.
Myth #9 – Sunscreen Blocks Vitamin D Absorption
Are you worried that sunscreen will leave you vitamin D-deficient? Fear not. Research shows that sunscreen does not completely block vitamin D absorption and it doesn’t prevent your body from producing it – you still get enough through incidental sun exposure.
It’s important to balance sun protection with maintaining adequate vitamin D levels through diet or supplements. Plus, relying on the sun for vitamin D can be risky. While prolonged sun exposure does not cause vitamin D levels to rise further, it does increase the risk of skin cancer.
#Myth 10 – Fake Tan Equals Sun Protection
A glowing faux tan might make you feel sun-kissed, but it doesn’t shield you from UV damage. Self-tanning products create a bronzed look without sun exposure, but they offer no UV protection unless explicitly labelled with SPF – and even then, it’s not enough. Always pair your fake tan with a separate, high-quality sunscreen. Remember, there’s no shortcut to safety!
Final Word: Be Sun Smart!
Navigating the various sun protection myths floating around can be tricky, but armed with the right information you can protect your skin year-round. The bottom line is: sunscreen isn’t just a beauty product – it’s a daily essential that prevents premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer and should therefore be an essential part of everyone’s daily routine, especially if you’re going to spend time outside this summer.
This article was brought to you in partnership with beauty wholesaler and salon suppliers, The Global Beauty Group.
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