{"id":7047,"date":"2022-12-08T11:14:48","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T08:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agelessbelle.co.ke\/?p=7047"},"modified":"2025-09-25T17:44:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T14:44:43","slug":"8-sunscreen-myths-and-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agelessbelle.co.ke\/8-sunscreen-myths-and-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"8 SUNSCREEN MYTHS DEBUNKED"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/h2>\n\n

Are you applying sunscreen<\/strong><\/a> correctly, or perhaps you think you don\u2019t need it anyway? These sunscreen myths and facts will help you answer these questions.<\/p>\n\n

Sunscreen and sunblock are the best ways to protect your skin. Broad-spectrum sunscreens<\/a> are the best as they protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays<\/a>. These rays are very harmful and lead to skin damage or even skin cancer.<\/p>\n\n

How long can you be in the sun without sunscreen? Although this is a tricky question, some dermatologists believe you can sunbathe<\/a> without sunscreen\u00a0for up to 20 minutes daily. However, to reduce the risk of skin damage, it may be advisable to stick to 5 to 10 minutes<\/strong> daily.<\/p>\n\n

Please check out these sunscreen myths and facts that you need to know before you head out in the sun or start your day.<\/p>\n\n

Myth 1:\u00a0You can make your sunscreen at home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
\"DIY<\/figure>\n\n

Fact<\/em><\/strong>:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Bad idea! Commercial sunscreen is a highly regulated formulation for safety, efficacy, and quality. There\u2019s no way of assessing those factors with homemade formulas. You wouldn\u2019t be able to test the SPF level of a homemade batch, and effective ingredients are neither easily purchased by consumers nor easy to mix.<\/p>\n\n

If worried about particular ingredients that soak into the skin, look for a\u00a0physical sunscreen\u00a0with minerals like zinc oxide and or titanium dioxide, which sits on your skin and deflects the sun\u2019s rays. Because it\u2019s not absorbed into the skin, you don\u2019t have to worry about its doing anything except saving you from skin damage.<\/p>\n\n

Myth 2: You must apply chemical sunscreens for 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, work right away<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Fact<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n

Both mineral and chemical sunscreen filters start to absorb UV rays right after application, and they both need application time to spread out evenly on your skin for optimal protection.<\/p>\n\n

Myth 3:\u00a0I don\u2019t need sunscreen on cloudy or cold days<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
\"Sunscreen<\/figure>\n\n

Fact<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n

Even on cloudy days, the sun\u2019s UVA and UVB rays are present, piercing through the clouds, so you need to wear sunscreen regardless.<\/p>\n\n

Myth 4: I only need to wear sunscreen when I\u2019m outdoors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Fact<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the window, so it\u2019s worth protecting your skin indoors.<\/p>\n\n

Myth 5: I\u2019m black and do not need sunscreen! My melanin<\/a> is my natural sunscreen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
\"Melanin<\/figure>\n\n

Fact<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Research shows that melanin offers an average\u00a0SPF protection level of\u00a013.4,\u00a0which is a great starting point but not enough. Dark skin is as susceptible to sun damage as any other skin tone. It\u2019s hard to see sun damage on dark skin. Skin cells respond to UV rays by releasing pigment, also known as sunburn, which is harder to see in darker skin tones. The skin colour is not the same as SPF sun protection. Regardless of skin colour, you need to wear sunscreen. Apply sunscreen and don\u2019t forget to reapply.<\/p>\n\n

These rays are also responsible for the dark spots and hyperpigmentation that develop after a skin breakout. So, do yourself skin a favour and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.<\/p>\n\n

Myth 6: My sunscreen is waterproof. I don\u2019t need to reapply it after sweating or swimming<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Fact:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

There\u2019s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen or sunblock! We wouldn\u2019t want that because we would not wash it off our skin!<\/p>\n\n

Some sunscreen and sunblock labels say water resistant but are not waterproof. If you are swimming or up and about sweating, that lessens the layer of UV protection on the skin, then you will need to reapply your sunscreen as often.<\/p>\n\n

Myth 7:\u00a0Sunscreen will prevent us from getting enough Vitamin D<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Fact<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n

We know the sun is an excellent source of Vitamin D, especially for people with darker skin tones. However, sunlight penetrates some clothing, and\u00a0we do not need to spend long periods under the sun to get the amount of Vitamin D we need.\u00a0Also,\u00a0we can get our Vitamin D from foods including salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines, red meats and eggs.<\/p>\n\n

Myth 8: Higher SPFs offer significantly more protection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
\"SPF<\/figure>\n\n

Fact<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>People think sunscreen with an SPF of 100 will provide much more sun protection than an SPF of 30. Big myth! Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 blocks 97% of the sun\u2019s UVA and UVB rays. Higher SPFs sunscreens, while more expensive, will block only 1 to 2% more.<\/p>\n\n

\u00a0No sunscreen lotion or cream can block 100%. The higher SPF also has no impact on the time sunscreen will protect you. The exact duration applies to both low and higher SPFs. Typically two hours or less.<\/p>\n\n

To Sum Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Whether you pick a chemical<\/strong> or mineral sunscreen<\/strong>, dermatologists recommend using one that offers broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of \u00a030<\/strong> and above. Practically, the best sunscreen for you is the one you\u2019ll wear religiously every day.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember that the sunscreen comes last after the Face cleanser,<\/a> Toner<\/a>, Serum<\/a>, Face moisturizer<\/a> and Face Elixir<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Thank you for reading. Please let us know what you think about these eight facts about sunscreen.<\/p>\n\n

Xoxo Eunice<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction Are you applying sunscreen correctly, or perhaps you think you don\u2019t need it anyway? These sunscreen myths and facts will help you answer these questions. Sunscreen and sunblock are the best ways to protect your skin. Broad-spectrum sunscreens are the best as they protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. These rays are very harmful and lead to skin damage or even skin cancer. How long can you be in the sun without sunscreen? Although this is a tricky question, some dermatologists believe you can sunbathe without sunscreen\u00a0for up to 20 minutes daily. However, to reduce the risk of skin damage, it may be advisable to stick to 5 to 10 minutes daily. Please check out these sunscreen myths and facts that you need to know before you head out in the sun or start your day. Myth 1:\u00a0You can make your sunscreen at home Fact: Bad idea! Commercial sunscreen is a highly regulated formulation for safety, efficacy, and quality. There\u2019s no way of assessing those factors with homemade formulas. You wouldn\u2019t be able to test the SPF level of a homemade batch, and effective ingredients are neither easily purchased by consumers nor easy to mix. If worried about particular ingredients that soak into the skin, look for a\u00a0physical sunscreen\u00a0with minerals like zinc oxide and or titanium dioxide, which sits on your skin and deflects the sun\u2019s rays. Because it\u2019s not absorbed into the skin, you don\u2019t have to worry about its doing anything except saving you from skin damage. Myth 2: You must apply chemical sunscreens for 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Mineral sunscreens, on the other hand, work right away Fact:\u00a0 Both mineral and chemical sunscreen filters start to absorb UV rays right after application, and they both need application time to spread out evenly on your skin for optimal protection. Myth 3:\u00a0I don\u2019t need sunscreen on cloudy or cold days Fact:\u00a0 Even on cloudy days, the sun\u2019s UVA and UVB rays are present, piercing through the clouds, so you need to wear sunscreen regardless. Myth 4: I only need to wear sunscreen when I\u2019m outdoors Fact:\u00a0 UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the window, so it\u2019s worth protecting your skin indoors. Myth 5: I\u2019m black and do not need sunscreen! My melanin is my natural sunscreen Fact:\u00a0 Research shows that melanin offers an average\u00a0SPF protection level of\u00a013.4,\u00a0which is a great starting point but not enough. Dark skin is as susceptible to sun damage as any other skin tone. It\u2019s hard to see sun damage on dark skin. Skin cells respond to UV rays by releasing pigment, also known as sunburn, which is harder to see in darker skin tones. The skin colour is not the same as SPF sun protection. Regardless of skin colour, you need to wear sunscreen. Apply sunscreen and don\u2019t forget to reapply. These rays are also responsible for the dark spots and hyperpigmentation that develop after a skin breakout. So, do yourself skin a favour and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Myth 6: My sunscreen is waterproof. I don\u2019t need to reapply it after sweating or swimming Fact: There\u2019s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen or sunblock! We wouldn\u2019t want that because we would not wash it off our skin! Some sunscreen and sunblock labels say water resistant but are not waterproof. If you are swimming or up and about sweating, that lessens the layer of UV protection on the skin, then you will need to reapply your sunscreen as often. Myth 7:\u00a0Sunscreen will prevent us from getting enough Vitamin D Fact:\u00a0 We know the sun is an excellent source of Vitamin D, especially for people with darker skin tones. However, sunlight penetrates some clothing, and\u00a0we do not need to spend long periods under the sun to get the amount of Vitamin D we need.\u00a0Also,\u00a0we can get our Vitamin D from foods including salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines, red meats and eggs. Myth 8: Higher SPFs offer significantly more protection Fact: \u00a0People think sunscreen with an SPF of 100 will provide much more sun protection than an SPF of 30. Big myth! Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 blocks 97% of the sun\u2019s UVA and UVB rays. Higher SPFs sunscreens, while more expensive, will block only 1 to 2% more. \u00a0No sunscreen lotion or cream can block 100%. The higher SPF also has no impact on the time sunscreen will protect you. The exact duration applies to both low and higher SPFs. Typically two hours or less. To Sum Up Whether you pick a chemical or mineral sunscreen, dermatologists recommend using one that offers broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of \u00a030 and above. Practically, the best sunscreen for you is the one you\u2019ll wear religiously every day. Remember that the sunscreen comes last after the Face cleanser, Toner, Serum, Face moisturizer and Face Elixir. Thank you for reading. Please let us know what you think about these eight facts about sunscreen. Xoxo Eunice<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7048,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"8 Sunscreen Myths And Facts%%sep%% %%sitetitle%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"Are you applying sunscreen correctly, or perhaps you think you don't need it anyway? 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