With the increased prevalence of social media, there has been an influx of baseless information that has spread regarding the effects of sunscreen and the sun on the skin. It is important that these misconceptions are clarified and thoroughly understood so that the skin isn’t harmed in the long run.
The Sun is Good for Clearing Up Acne
A common belief is that being exposed to sunlight can play a role in combating acne since this is able to compromise the immune system. The immune response is responsible for producing the redness and inflammation that is commonly associated with acne. So if the immune system is weakened, some would assume that there would be less acne.
However, things aren’t as simple as they may appear to be. When the skin is overexposed to sunlight, the uppermost layer of the skin thickens and dries out. To compensate for this, the sebaceous glands of the skin start to produce more oil. This results in excess sebum that can clog the pores and ultimately lead to even more pimples.
There is also a belief that sunlight exposure decreases acne since the appearance of it tends to be less obvious when a tan, which is often a result of sitting in the sun for too long, is present. But just because there is the illusion that acne becomes less apparent does not mean that it is actually healing in the long run. Besides, overexposure to the sun can lead to even more complex issues such as skin cancer that will be even more difficult to treat in the future.
Sunscreen isn’t Necessary When Indoors
While it is true that the intensity of UV exposure isn’t as strong when indoors, it doesn’t mean that it is completely safe, especially if large windows are present. The glass that composes a window is able to block UVB rays, but can still allow UVA rays to penetrate through. If a person is within several feet of a window, sunlight can still reach them, similar to how plants that sit by the window are still able to get sunlight despite not being outside. Although application and reapplication of sunscreen does not have to be as intense, it is still important to be mindful of the sun when indoors.
Sunscreen isn’t Necessary When Cloudy or Rainy
When the presence of the sun isn’t obvious, it can be tempting to assume that the sun and its effects are not present at the moment at all. However, 80% of the UV rays emitted by the sun are still able to penetrate through clouds and rain, making sunscreen application just as necessary.
Sunscreen isn’t Necessary in the Winter
While people don’t commonly associate winter with sunlight and sunscreen, it doesn’t mean that the sun’s UVs are not present at all. Even when the temperatures are below freezing, the sun is still shining. In fact, sunscreen application in the winter is even more crucial when doing activities such as skiing. Skiing typically happens in the mountains where elevated altitudes have higher UV indexes. This is because greater altitudes have less atmospheric particles that can absorb and filter out UV rays before they hit the skin. For every increase in altitude of 1000 feet, UV levels can increase by up to 10%.
The mountains are also usually covered in snow and ice, which are highly reflective substances. This results in the skin being hit twice by the UV rays after they bounce off of the snow. Since the freezing cold is not often associated with sunscreen, many are surprised by the development of sunburns after skiing.
Sunscreen isn’t Necessary for those with Darker Skin
It is known that melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its color, is a natural protective agent against UV rays. This fact prompts the assumption that those with more melanin don’t need to wear sunscreen since they are naturally more protected. Although those with darker skin tones are less prone to sun related conditions such as skin cancer, it does not make them immune to them. The melanin present in the skin offers protection that is nowhere near as great as the protection that sunscreen offers. Therefore, solely relying on the melanin in the skin as a shield is ineffective and the possibility of developing skin cancer is still present.
Cosmetic Products and Moisturizers with SPF if Enough
Cosmetic products and moisturizers that already have spf in them may seem like a tempting option for those who wish to save time and eliminate sunscreen as a step of their routine. However, it is important to realize that such products often offer lower SPF ratings compared to traditional sunscreens and aren’t broad spectrum, meaning that they are unable to protect the skin from both types of UV.
With this in mind, some may opt for mixing their sunscreen and moisturizer together, as they are able to get the full benefits of both products in one step. But the truth is, mixing the two together may dilute the protective agents that the sunscreen offers. The moisturizer may contain certain ingredients that weaken the ones in the sunscreen that are supposed to protect the skin. This is because the sunscreen and moisturizer are two stand alone products, each created with their own purposes in mind. Mixing the two will only ruin these carefully crafted formulations and therefore weaken the benefits of them.
But this shouldn’t discourage people from buying or using products with SPF in them, as long as they are also wearing sunscreen, since they will provide even more protection to the skin.
Sunscreen Application Results in Vitamin D Deficiency
When the sun comes into contact with the skin, the body produces the vitamin D that is necessary for good bone and immune health. Since sunscreen reduces this sun to skin contact, there is the assumption that frequent use of sunblock will result in vitamin D deficiency. But studies have proven this to be false. It is important to note that no sunscreen can 100% block out the sun’s UV rays and that few amounts of these rays are actually required to produce vitamin D. That being said, the small percentage of UV that does reach the skin is more than enough to produce adequate amounts of the vitamin that is necessary to support health. But besides sunlight exposure, there are other options for obtaining vitamin D, such as through diet and supplements.
References
1. Moon M. Skincare FAQs | Does the sun help acne? You might be surprised. U.S. Dermatology Partners. Published October 19, 2022. Accessed August 29, 2023. https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/blog/does-the-sun-help-acne/
2. Does The Sun Help Acne & Pimples Or Not? | NIVEA SUN. www.nivea.co.uk. Accessed August 29, 2023. https://www.nivea.co.uk/advice/sun/does-the-sun-help-acne
3. Boyers L. Does Sun Exposure Help or Hurt Acne? GoodRx. Published June 27, 2022. Accessed August 29, 2023. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/acne/does-sun-help-acne
4. Venosa A. 5 Sneaky Ways You’re Being Exposed to the Sun’s UV Rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation. Published May 10, 2017. https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sneaky-ways-youre-being-exposed-to-the-suns-uv-rays/#:~:text=UVB%20rays%2C%20the%20primary%20sunburn
5. Norris R. Serious Question—Do I Need to Wear Sunscreen Indoors? Byrdie. Published May 15, 2023. https://www.byrdie.com/should-i-wear-sunscreen-indoors-5093944
6. Factors that affect UV radiation levels. Cancer Council NSW. Accessed August 29, 2023. https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-prevention/sun-protection/understanding-uv-radiation/factors-that-affect-uv-radiation-levels/#:~:text=In%20higher%20altitudes%20
7. Do People of Color Need Sunscreen? | UNC Health Talk. healthtalk.unchealthcare.org. Published May 4, 2022. https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/do-people-of-color-need-sunscreen/
8. Elle V. Here’s Why You Should Never Mix Your SPF With Foundation Or Moisturizer. Glam. Published September 21, 2022. Accessed August 29, 2023. https://www.glam.com/1018451/never-mix-spf-with-foundation-moisturizer/
9. Skin Cancer Foundation. Sun Protection and Vitamin D - The Skin Cancer Foundation. The Skin Cancer Foundation. Published May 14, 2018. https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/
Author: Rebecca He
