The 7 Sunscreen Myths You Need to Stop Believing
Is chemical sunscreen safe to use on the skin? Does all sunscreens make your skin oily? Read on to find out the truth behind these popular sunscreen myths!
By now, we should all know that sun protection is pretty important. It is not only the best anti-ageing weapon, but also a must-have in your year-round skin care routine. That said, many of us still believe in some false misconceptions about how, when and why we should be wearing this essential product. Avoid ugly burns, peeling and other sun-induced skin problems by scrapping these popular sunscreen myths!
Myth #1: My sunscreen is waterproof, so no reapplication needed!
Lies, lies, lies! It’s true that there are sunscreens that are “water-resistant”, meaning that they won’t wash away with a little sweat, but even these are meant to be reapplied after a swim. So moral of the story? Reapply your sunscreen over and over and over.
Myth #2: All sunscreens are uncomfortable and leaves a weird film on my face.
Many Asian sunscreens are known for their maximum protection, but with minimal visibility. Unlike the face sunscreens we grew up with that are thick and leave oily films on the face, many Asian sunscreens go on smoothly to provide a protective layer against the sun. Most sunscreens in K-beauty are also formulated with soothing, hydrating ingredients which makes them more gentle on the skin.
Myth #3: Chemical sunscreen is not good for your skin.
While there are concerns about chemicals in sunscreens causing skin problems or even cancer, no studies have actually established that chemical sunscreens can cause health problems in people. Whether you choose physical or chemical sunscreen, you need to remember that every person’s skin responds differently, so you’ll have to test it out yourself to see which is best for your own skin.
Myth #4: You can’t get sun damage when it’s cloudy.
SPF should always be the final step of your morning routine, no matter the outside temperature or weather. The sun’s UV rays can penetrate through clouds and even windows, so it is still possible to be sunburned when the sky is cloudy or when you’re working indoors!
Myth #5: But I need my daily dose of Vitamin D!
You can get enough vitamin D from a mix of diet, supplements, and incidental sun exposure (even while you’re wearing sunscreen). Most people have sufficient exposure to the sun in their day-to-day lives to produce adequate amounts of this vitamin, so extra unprotected sun exposure is not necessary.
Myth #6: If I apply SPF 15 twice, that makes it SPF 30!
It doesn't work that way! A double application of an SPF 15 product does not give a level of protection equivalent to SPF 30. Sunscreen ingredients don’t mix together to increase the SPF level, so when you use several products with SPF, you end up only with the SPF of the highest sunscreen you applied.
Myth #7: I have dark skin, so I don’t need to worry.
While it might be true that people with more pigment in their skin will have a lower skin cancer risk, you’re still not immune. Because people with darker skin tones tend to assume they’re naturally protected, they’re often diagnosed with skin cancer when it’s more advanced and potentially fatal. Furthermore, skin color isn’t as simple as it sounds, because even if you have a dark complexion, you could have genes that make you more susceptible to skin cancer. So, wear sunscreen!
