Debunking sunscreen myths
By Hanna Oltmanns - July 13, 2023
As summer approaches, there’s one thing we can all agree on: sunscreen is a must-have. It protects our skin from harmful UV rays and helps prevent skin cancer. However, there are still many misconceptions about sunscreen that continue to circulate. In this blog post, we’ll be debunking some of the most common sunscreen myths out there.
Myth #1: I don't need sunscreen on a cloudy day.
Just because it’s cloudy outside doesn’t mean you can skip the sunscreen. UV rays can penetrate clouds, so you’re still at risk of getting sunburned. Thin or light clouds may even enhance UV levels, because of the scattering of sun rays. So even if it’s not sunny, wearing sunscreen every day can help prevent premature aging and skin damage.
Myth #2: Higher SPF is always better.
While it’s important to choose a sunscreen with a high SPF, higher isn’t always better. An SPF of 30 is sufficient for most people, and anything higher than 50 doesn’t provide much additional protection. In fact, the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is only 1 percentage point! It’s also important to remember that no sunscreen can provide 100% protection, so you still need to take other precautions, such as wearing protective clothing and seeking shade.
Myth #3: All Sunscreens are harmful to the environment.
While it is true that chemical sunscreen with UV-filters such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, are harmful to coral reefs and marine life, there are great natural alternatives available by now. We at Suntribe offer reef-friendly sunscreens that are free from toxic chemicals. Look for sunscreens that are labeled as “reef-safe” and only contain mineral UV-filters such as Non-Nano Zinc Oxide to ensure you’re not harming the environment.
Myth #4: I only need to apply sunscreen once a day.
Sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly to be effective. Experts recommend reapplying every two hours, or more often if you’re swimming or sweating. It’s also important to apply enough sunscreen to cover your skin adequately. Many people don’t reapply sunscreen often enough, which can leave them unprotected.
Myth #5: Sunscreen is not necessary for darker skin tones.
While it is true that darker skin tones have more melanin, which provides some natural protection against UV rays, it is still important to wear sunscreen. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can occur in all skin tones. Therefore, it is important for everyone to protect their skin with sunscreen.
We hope this short post could help you in debunking some of the most common sunscreen myths. Stuff that we have been told when we were little does have to be set straight eventually, so here you go!
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about the author
Hej, I’m Hanna. I love the outdoors and I am the first one to enjoy every beam of sunshine possible. Through traveling several countries over the past few years, I have become more and more aware of the great need for sustainability in every aspect of our daily life. Through working with Suntribe I am joining the movement of sustainable production of organic cosmetic and help to raise awareness about the issue of harmful chemicals in personal care products for humans and nature alike.
