25 Truths and Myths You Need to Know About Sunscreen
Starting with how long sunscreen lasts!
With so many misnomers floating around about the how, what, when, and where when it comes to applying SPF, learn the real must-dos for safeguarding your skin from the sun's rays all year long.
MYTH: Just coat your skin, and you're covered.
TRUTH: A thin, quick coat just won't do the job. Most people apply only 25-50% of what they need, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Rub on a shot-size glass amount (one ounce) on exposed areas of your body.
MYTH: You need a special sunscreen for your face.
TRUTH: SPF is SPF, so one product can do it all, according to the pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. It's a-okay to use a face sunscreen if other formulas feel heavy on your skin, but you should still lather up with the regular stuff if that's all you have.
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MYTH: Sunscreen doesn't expire.
TRUTH: Most bottles have an expiration date — and for good reason. Old sunblock may not work as well as a fresh tube because the chemical formulas can change over time, especially with exposure to sunlight and heat. If you've got old containers hanging around for a year or more, it may also signal you're not applying enough to begin with.
MYTH: Sport sunscreen is waterproof.
TRUTH: There's no such thing as waterproof or sweatproof sunscreen, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The federal agency banned companies from using the words on their bottles as of 2011. Under current guidelines, "water-resistant" sunscreen must work for at least 40 minutes in the water and "very water-resistant" sunscreen should last for about 80 minutes.
MYTH: The SPF number is related to time spent outside.
TRUTH: SPF doesn't correlate with how long you're in the sun, but how much protection against UV radiation the formula provides, the FDA states. For example, using SPF 15 doesn't mean you can stay in the sun 15 times longer before getting burned.
MYTH: SPF 100 means you're protected 100%.
MYTH: Many women are allergic to sunscreen.
TRUTH: Your skin can probably tolerate it. Researchers have found that very few people who think they're allergic actually are. If your skin stings after application, try a new brand with different ingredients.
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MYTH: Sunscreen may increase your risk of melanoma.
TRUTH: Slather it on. The fear was that wearing SPF would make people think they could spend more time in the sun, ultimately upping their risk of sunburn and skin cancer. But an Australian study found that those who wore a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 16 daily developed half as many melanomas over a 10-year period compared to people who wore it only occasionally.
MYTH: If your childhood was spent in the sun, the damage is done.
TRUTH: That Australian study we just told you about? The daily sunscreen wearers were 25 to 75 years old when they started the habit, and they still decreased their skin cancer odds. The lesson: It's never too late.
MYTH: If it's cloudy, you don't need as much sunscreen.
TRUTH: Just because the sun is hiding behind the clouds doesn't mean it's not there. Up to 80% of UV rays get through to your skin. You can still burn, so treat it like any other sunny day and wear the SPF.
MYTH: You don't need sunscreen indoors.
TRUTH: In a study on human skin cells, scientists found that compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) emitted enough UVA radiation (the type of rays linked to skin aging) to cause damage. A follow-up study from the same research group found that LED lighting was safe for skin. Still, no matter what you have on the calendar, use that SPF.
MYTH: Makeup with SPF is the only protection you need.
Truth: Loose powders, tinted moisturizers, BB creams, and foundation typically don't contain a high enough level of sunscreen, and you may not put on enough to make a difference. For the best protection, look for "broad spectrum" SPF 30 on the label.
MYTH: Getting a base tan will protect your skin.
TRUTH: You're headed for a sunny vacation and heard that tanning first protects against burns. However, though a base tan may offer some sun protection, it's only like wearing an SPF 3 or 4, Harvard Health points out. Applying SPF 30 is a much better safeguard.
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MYTH: Sunscreen is toxic.
TRUTH: You may have heard that some of the active ingredients in certain sunscreens can pose a threat to your health. If you're hesitant to apply SPF in fear that it's doing more harm than good, we can put that rumor to rest. The FDA and the AAD still recommend using sunscreen to protect yourself from skin cancer.
RELATED: What the New Proposed FDA Sunscreen Regulations Mean for You
MYTH: Store sunscreen in the car for on-the-go use.
TRUTH: Because sunscreen ingredients can break down in the sun, the FDA suggests keeping the products out of direct sun and away from excessive heat. Take them out of the car with you; when you're on the beach, keep it in the shade or stash in a cooler.
MYTH: When you get to the beach, rub yourself down in SPF.
TRUTH: A better idea is to slather it on 30 minutes before sun exposure, says the Skin Cancer Foundation. It takes that long for the ingredients to activate and begin fully protecting skin. (Of course, if you forget, apply it ASAP. It's still worth it.)
MYTH: Pick a sunscreen by online popularity ratings.
TRUTH: In a 2016 study, 40% of highly rated online products didn't meet current sunscreen guidelines. Look for three things on the label: broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistant.
MYTH: Using an umbrella means you don't need as much sunscreen.
TRUTH: One 2017 study in the journal JAMA Dermatology found that after 3.5 hours of being on the beach, 78% of people who sat under an umbrella got a burn compared to just 25% who used sunscreen. SPF wins again!
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