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Sun Protection Myth Buster: The Truth About UV Rays and Sunscreen

Sun Protection Myth Buster: The Truth About UV Rays and Sunscreen

Think sun protection is just for the beach? Heard you don’t need sunscreen in the UK? Wondering if SPF is dangerous?

You’re not alone. There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation around sunscreen and skin protection. 

That’s why we’ve put together this simple myth-busting guide. No fluff. No jargon. Just the facts. These are real statements and real questions that we get asked from real people.

Scroll through to the particular questions you need answers to - you don't need to read it all! 

"You only need sun protection in summer" 

Wrong.

UVA is present all year round. It passes through cloud cover and glass. It causes long-term damage to your skin and contributes to skin cancer. And the worst part? You can’t feel it doing damage.

So, even on cold, cloudy days in the UK, you’re still getting hit with the kind of UV that leads to premature ageing and potentially, skin cancer.

"You don't need sunscreen in the UK"

Wrong.

The UK might be rainy, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. The strength of UV rays isn’t about temperature. It’s about the angle of the sun and the time of year. In spring and summer, UV levels can be just as strong in the UK as they are abroad.

If the UV Index is 3 or above, your skin is at risk. And for much of the UK between April and September, that’s a regular occurrence.

"Sunscreen is full of harmful chemicals"

Wrong.

Sunscreens are regulated as medicines in the UK. That means they go through rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness. Ingredients must be proven safe before they can be sold.

If you’re concerned, go for a mineral-based (also known as physical) sunscreen. These sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays using ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. And yes – we make one.

"You only need to apply sunscreen once a day"

Wrong.

Sunscreen wears off. It gets rubbed away by clothes, towels, sweat and water. That’s why dermatologists recommend reapplying every two hours, especially if you’re outdoors, sweating or swimming.

"A tan protects you from sun damage"

Wrong.

A tan is a sign of skin damage. It’s your body’s way of trying to protect itself after it’s already been hurt. A tan offers only minimal protection – around SPF 2 to 4 – which isn’t enough to prevent further UV damage.

"Sunscreen blocks vitamin D production"

Mostly wrong.

In theory, sunscreen can reduce vitamin D production by limiting UVB exposure. But in real life, studies show people who use sunscreen daily still maintain healthy vitamin D levels. You’ll still get enough UV for vitamin D even when you’re protected – especially with incidental exposure through hands, arms and face.

If you’re concerned, ask your GP for a vitamin D test.

"People with dark skin don't need sunscreen"

Wrong.

Darker skin has more melanin, which offers some natural protection, but not enough. Skin cancer can still affect people with dark skin – and when it does, it’s often caught later and can be more serious.

Everyone needs sun protection. Full stop.

"My makeup has SPF, so I’m covered"

Wrong.

You’d need to apply a thick layer of foundation (around seven times what most people use) to get the SPF on the label. SPF in makeup is a bonus – not a substitute.

Use a proper sunscreen as your base layer. Then go wild with the makeup.

"Waterproof sunscreen lasts all day"

Wrong.

No sunscreen is 100% waterproof. Some are water-resistant for 40 or 80 minutes. That’s it. After that, you need to reapply – especially after swimming, sweating or towel-drying.

Check the label and don’t take chances.

"I’m wearing a t-shirt so I won’t burn."

Can be wrong. 

Not all fabrics are created equally. The colour, cloth and weave will determine if the clothing can truly block ultraviolet rays from reaching your skin. A white, cotton t-shirt offers the equivalent protection of SPF 5. Darker colours are better. UV protective (UPF) clothing is a good option.

"The more expensive the sun cream, the better it is."

Absolutely wrong. 

We recommend two things: (1) SPF 30 as a minimum, and, (2) a product with either the UVA circle symbol or 4/5* UVA rating. Be ultra vigilant and make sure any product you use has both of these marked on the pack. This is more important than price.

"SPF moisturiser is enough on its own"

Sometimes wrong.

It depends how much you use and how often you reapply. Most people don’t apply enough moisturiser to get the full SPF benefit. And it usually wears off by midday. If you’re outside for long stretches, top it up with a proper sunscreen.

"I need this tube to last two weeks so will just use small amounts each time."

Wrong.

People rarely use enough sunscreen which reduces the level of protection you're getting. The rule of thumb is 5ml per body part. This is the amount required to provide you with the level of protection stated on the packaging. Think of 5ml as a teaspoon. So, a teaspoon for your head. The same for one arm. The same for one leg. And so on.

"I can save some money and use old sunscreen"

Wrong

Look at the back of the bottle for the jar symbol. There will be a number next to it. That’s the number of months it lasts once opened. As a rule of thumb, throw away sunscreen 12 months after it was first opened. Some ingredients become inactive and ineffective beyond that. For relatively small money, buy a new one and avoid immeasurable risks.

Final word: stay protected, not paranoid

And here’s the truth: sun protection is about health, not beauty. It’s your daily insurance policy against damage you can’t see happening.

We don’t do scaremongering. But we do want you to be smart.

Make SPF 50+ part of your morning routine. Keep a sun stick in your pocket. Wear UPF 50+ kit when the sun’s out or you’re in it for hours.

It’s not about avoiding the outdoors – it’s about protecting your skin so you can stay out there longer, stronger, and healthier.

Got a myth we’ve missed? Message us – we’ll bust it.