Sun Protection Myths Debunked

A glowing, tan skin is often a by-product of being under the sun for an extended period of time, especially after a trip to the beach. But there is a fine line between being sun-kissed and sun-singed.

Though basking in the sun occasionally offers benefits such as boosting vitamin D and serotonin levels or even strengthening your bones, wearing sun protection is still important to ensure you are not overly exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays such as UVA and UVB have negative effects on your skin and require the necessary protection to prevent skin damage.

With so many misconceptions about sun protection, one might be confused as to when it is necessary to wear sunscreen. So before tossing that sunscreen aside, here’s a list of myths we’ve compiled for you.

A base tan can be achieved over regular sessions of sun tanning or at a tanning salon under high UVA exposure. This “base tan” does not actually protect your skin from sun burns or UV rays. When exposed to UV rays, skin cells respond by releasing a pigment known as melanin that darkens the skin. Its sole purpose is to protect your skin cells’ genetic material from being damaged. Therefore, having a base tan does not prevent UV rays from harming your skin.

A darker skin tone is just as susceptible to sun damage as other skin tones. It is only more difficult to notice sun damage, but sunscreen is just as essential for those with darker skin tones. 

In fact, both UVA and UVB rays are harmful to skin in different ways. An easy way to differentiate between the two: UVA is associated with ageing, while UVB results in burning.

UVA have longer wavelengths which penetrate deeper layers of the skin and contribute to skin cells ageing quicker. UVB, on the other hand, have shorter wavelengths and its immediate effect is the burning of skin. In this case, a sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection will usually cover both UVA and UVB rays.

While certain sunscreen and sunblock are water resistant, note that they are not waterproof. Therefore, regardless of whether you are swimming or exercising, any activity that reduces the layer of UV protection will require you to reapply sunscreen more often.

SPF stands for sun protection factor, which is a measure of how well the sunscreen protects against UVB rays; not the duration of which it protects you from the sun. The difference between the SPF levels is the percentage of UVB rays the sunscreen can block. For instance, SPF50 and SPF30 filter about 98% and 96.7% of UVB rays respectively.

An important thing to note is that there is no sunscreen that offers 100% protection. Regardless of the SPF levels, it is essential to reapply sunscreen every two hours.

Even with SPF in makeup, it is still important to apply a layer of sunscreen as you don’t wear nearly as much make up as you do for sunscreen. Besides, a little extra protection would not hurt.

Clouds are made of water vapour and they do not protect your skin from UV rays. On a cloudy or rainy day, it is still essential to apply sunscreen the way you would on a warm, sunny day.

Windows do little to protect you from the sun, even if they’re tinted slightly. Whether you are in a car or at home working by the window, it is still good to have a layer of sun protection.

Now that we’ve established the importance and when it is essential to wear sunscreen, let’s find out which sunscreen is best suited for your skin.

Sunscreens are especially important for people with sensitive skin, as they are more prone to sun damage. If you have sensitive skin, opt for sunscreens that are lightweight as that may reduce skin irritation.

For a water-based option, try ést lab’s Sunshield Aqua with SPF 50. It is a non-greasy tinted sunscreen that provides your skin with a broad spectrum of UV protection. Rich in antioxidants, it keeps your skin hydrated, breathable, and protected at the same time.

Hysses Restorative Sunscreen with SPF40 works especially well for those with eczema. Using geranium as its key ingredient, the antibacterial and antiseptic properties are beneficial for reducing skin redness, irritation, and infections. In addition, the chamomile extracts together with geranyl formate (derived from geranium), can help to soothe eczema breakouts, all while providing the necessary sun protection.

Like sensitive skin, acne-prone skin requires sunscreen that does not aggravate the skin condition. Porcelain’s Ultra Sheer Platinum Protector does just the that. Enriched with 10 natural ingredients that prevents inflammation and combats premature ageing, the organic sunscreen has a weightless texture and provides a broad spectrum protection of UV rays.

Do you avoid sunscreen because of greasiness after application?

Try Salt and Stone’s Tinted Sunscreen Stick. Formulated to glide smoothly on the skin, this natural sunscreen stick keeps your skin protected from UV without the heaviness of a traditional sunscreen. It also includes moisturising ingredients such as shea butter and vitamin E, that keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day. Plus, it has a natural tint that blends easily into all skin tones and guarantees a matte finish.

Prolonged exposures to sun can accelerate dryness. For those with dry skin, it is essential to pick a sunscreen with moisturising and hydrating benefits.

Case in point: Banyan Tree’s Coconut Seaweed Sunscreen. The coconut oil and red seaweed extract in this sunscreen help to maintain optimum hydration for the skin. Not to mention, it is a coral reef-safe option that shields your skin against UV rays, while minimising impact on the marine environment.

For ultimate moisture, you can also try Aethic Sôvée Triple-Filter Sunscreen. With moisturising oils such as Olea europaea fruit oil, the sunscreen serves to protect while nourishing and hydrating your skin. Made for those who are prone to dry skin, it is lightweight, spreads easily, and leaves a wonderfully smooth finish on your skin.

If you have combination skin, look out for sunscreen that is suitable for all skin types.

One such example is the Special Care UV Protecting Sunscreen from Doctors PGA. With the use of polyglutamic acid, it forms a moisturising film over your skin that provides intense hydration and boosting skin elasticity while protecting your skin. This triple-action sunscreen is also non-toxic in nature, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin as well.

Pure Mineral Sun Cream from Asistobe is also one to add to your sun protection list. This award-winning sunscreen is non-sticky, lightweight and leaves you feeling free and fresh. Not to mention, its formula is made to withstand even the harshest of UV and suitable even for the young.

If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Telegram to get the latest updates.