If you’re spending a lot on anti-aging creams but skipping sunscreen, you might be missing the most important step in skincare. Sunscreen isn’t just a summer extra – it’s a year-round commitment.
And despite the considerable attention given to it, there are still many misconceptions surrounding SPF. If you want to actually protect your skin – not just follow trends – it’s time to separate myths from facts.
What Happens if You Don’t Use Sunscreen?
If you don’t protect your skin from harmful UV rays, you’re essentially speeding up the aging process. Up to 80% of visible skin aging is caused by UV exposure, studies show, so if you don’t use daily sunscreen, your skin is exposed to these harmful effects – and even more serious health risks in the long run.
12 Common Sunscreen Myths (Debunked)
Myth #1: You Should Only Use Sunscreen In The Summer or When It’s Sunny.
A lot of people believe that sunscreen should only be used on sunny summer days or at the beach. However, the reality is that harmful UV rays are present all year round, even on cloudy, rainy, and even winter days.
Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV rays still reach your skin. Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV rays. Water, sand, or snow also indirectly increases the skin’s UV exposure. Therefore, sunscreen is not just a summer accessory: it should be used in all seasons and in all weather conditions to protect our skin from damage.
Myth #2: If We Stay Inside All Day, We Don’t Need Sun Protection
Many people think that our skin is completely safe indoors. However, in reality, UV rays can reach us through windows unless there is a special filter layer on the glass. While glass protects against UVB rays that cause sunburn, UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin, can penetrate through it.
If you spend a lot of time engaging in activities like driving or working near a window when the sun is strong, your skin may be exposed to long-term damage from UVA rays.
Tips for protection: wear clothing, a hat, and sunglasses with UV protection, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen, even if you don’t plan to leave your apartment.
Myth #3: Using Sunscreen Once a Day is Enough.
Not true! Reapplication is key. Sunscreen wears off due to sweat, water, and natural skin oils, and even the highest SPF won’t protect you all day long.
Dermatologists recommend reapplying sunscreen every two hours, as well as immediately after swimming or sweating. Using too little product is also a common mistake – most adults need about a shot glass (2 tablespoons) to adequately cover their entire body.
Myth #4: Once We’re Tanned, Our Skin is Protected
People often assume that tanned skin is already safe from the harmful effects of the sun. In fact, a tan only provides mild protection against sunburn. Still, UV radiation not only causes redness but can also cause more serious damage in the long run.
Tanning is the skin’s natural protective response. Under the influence of UV radiation, we produce more melanin, which partially protects the cells and is what gives rise to the brown color.
However, this protection is very weak: a tan provides only minimal protection, equivalent to SPF 3–4, far below the recommended SPF 30. Moreover, a tan is already an indication that the skin has previously been exposed to UV damage.
Tips for safe sunbathing:
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, on average.
- Apply sunscreen approximately 20-30 minutes before sun exposure to ensure proper absorption.
Myth #5: Darker Skin Tones Don’t Need Sun Protection
It’s a common misconception that darker skin is protected from the harmful effects of the sun. In fact, all skin types can be damaged by sunlight, which can lead to skin cancer and visible skin aging in the long term.
Some people get sunburned more slowly, but that doesn’t mean their skin isn’t affected by the sun. Proper protection is essential for all skin tones, as the sun’s harmful effects can exacerbate dark spots or accelerate premature aging.
Myth #6: A Low Factor is Enough, Otherwise We Won’t Tan
Many believe that even a low SPF sunscreen is enough, but this largely depends on your skin type. Skin that is not accustomed to the sun thickens, and melanin production only begins within 10 days.
That’s why it’s essential to use a factor of at least 50 when first starting to sunbathe. People with sensitive, very fair skin and children should also use SPF 50 throughout the summer.
Myth #7: If You Apply Sunscreen Evenly, a Little is Enough.
Even application is important, but the amount is crucial. Most skin damage is caused by not applying the right amount – studies show that we usually only apply about half of the amount we need.
The golden rule:
- For complete body protection, approximately a shot glass (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen is required.
- A half teaspoon is recommended for the face.
Tip: For the best protection, apply sunscreen in layers. Apply or spray in the shade or out of the wind so you can see exactly how much you have applied.
Myth #8: Waterproof Sunscreen Doesn’t Need to be Reapplied.
Even though waterproof sunscreens are formulated to be water-resistant, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to reapply them. After swimming or toweling off, the sunscreen layer can be compromised, and exposure to heat, sweat, or sunlight can reduce the effectiveness of the active ingredients. For this reason, all waterproof or semi-waterproof products should be reapplied every two hours, and immediately after swimming or sweating heavily.
Myth #9: If Your Makeup Contains SPF, You Don’t Need Extra Sunscreen
Many foundations, BB or CC creams contain UV filters (SPF 15–30), so many people think they don’t need a separate sunscreen. In fact, the sun protection in makeup only works if the product is applied in a similar thickness to sunscreen – about half a teaspoon to the face.
Most people use much less than that, so the SPF of makeup alone doesn’t provide enough protection. That’s why we consider sunscreen in foundation a bonus, not the primary protection.
Myth #10: Sunscreen Causes Acne
Not all sunscreens are greasy or comedogenic. Modern formulas now include many lightweight products that don’t clog pores and are great for acne-prone skin.Some sunscreens also contain niacinamide or are labeled “non-comedogenic,” which suggests that their formula minimizes the risk of pore clogging and irritation.
Myth #11: All Sunscreens Leave a White Mark
While some sunscreens can leave a white cast on the skin, modern products are now made with much lighter formulas. Many new-generation sunscreens are easily absorbed, do not leave a white cast, and are comfortable to use on various skin types.
Extra tip: Tinted sunscreens can be a good choice for many people because they blend more naturally into the skin and can give a more even skin tone. They can also replace a light foundation in your daily routine.
Myth #12: If I Use Sunscreen, I Won’t Get Enough Vitamin D
That’s a myth! According to research, vitamin D levels can be adequate even with daily sunscreen use. It’s a good idea to provide the necessary amount of food or dietary supplements, rather than relying solely on sunlight. Moreover, even a short exposure to sunlight, even 10–20 minutes, on a small surface of the skin can contribute to vitamin D production.
Tip: If you are unsure about a healthy vitamin D intake, it is a good idea to seek personalized advice from a doctor or dietitian.
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen?
- Broad-spectrum: This provides protection against both UVA (aging-causing) and UVB (burn-causing) rays.
- SPF 30 or higher: Provides reliable protection for everyday use.
- The right formula: Gels, lotions, creams, sprays, and sticks offer different benefits – choose the one that suits your skin type.
- Water resistance: This is an important consideration when sweating or swimming
Ultimately, consistency is more important than perfection. The best sunscreen is always the one you actually use regularly.
UVB protection designation: SPF
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a numerical value that indicates how effectively a sunscreen blocks harmful UVB rays. This is what it looks like in practice:
- SPF 30: filters out approximately 96.7% of UV rays and allows 3.3% to pass through.
- SPF 50: filters out approximately 98% of UV rays and allows 2% to pass through.
It’s also important to know that layering sunscreen products is a good idea in itself, as it can help provide more even protection to the skin. However, the SPF numbers don’t add up. This means that if you use an SPF 30 sunscreen, for example, and apply an SPF 20 foundation on top of it, the protection will not be SPF 50. The maximum protection in this case remains SPF 30, and it is also essential to use both products in appropriate, generous amounts.
How to use sunscreen correctly?
Most health experts and dermatologists agree that sunscreen should always be the last step in your skincare routine. Using other skincare products after sunscreen can reduce the effectiveness of your protection.
Good to know:
Since many sunscreens also contain moisturizing ingredients, if you have a sunscreen that suits your skin type, you can skip the need for a separate moisturizer in the morning. However, if your chosen sunscreen doesn’t provide enough hydration, you can still use a small amount of moisturizer underneath.
Tip:
You should use an antioxidant serum under sunscreen, which can help enhance the skin’s protection against harmful environmental influences. A serum with a high content of active ingredients, such as vitamin C, can also be a good choice, as it can support the effectiveness of sun protection.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, sunscreen isn’t optional – it’s essential. You can invest in the best serums and creams, but without SPF, you’re working against your own skin.
Make sunscreen your non-negotiable daily habit – rain or shine, summer or winter. Your future skin will thank you.
