Myths & Misinformation About Sunscreens
September 30, 2022
If you’ve been searching for the best sun protection, you may have been misled by a slew of online myths and misinformation about sunscreen products. In fact, it seems that not everyone is on the same page when it comes to using a concoction of ingredients to protect his or her skin.
“As is the case with most misinformation, many of the assertions about sunscreen products are simply not proven while others appear to be overexaggerated,” says Michael Steppie. “One of the skin’s most basic functions is to protect your body from harmful ultraviolet radiation released by the sun.” So, sunscreen should be part of everyone’s sun protection strategy.
The Skin Cancer Foundation warns that sunscreen alone is often not enough to keep you safe in all situations involving sun exposure. Sunscreen does, however, decrease your risk of developing precancers and skin cancers as well as helps prevent premature skin aging, such as wrinkles and age spots. Whether you tan easily or not, dermatologists recommend that every man, woman, and child over six months of age should use sunscreen daily. With that said, not all sunscreens are created equal when it comes to ingredients and not all products work the same way.
Which Sunscreen Should You Choose?
A primary function of the skin is protection, which includes guarding against external factors like bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. Fortunately, both common types of sunscreens contain active ingredients that help prevent ultraviolet light from damaging skin cells.
- Physical Sunscreens – A physical sunscreen, also called a sunblock, stays on top of your skin to deflect the sun’s harmful rays. These mineral sunscreens contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to shield the skin from UV rays.
- Chemical Sunscreens – Active ingredients in a chemical sunscreen soak into the skin. They absorb UV rays and transform the energy into heat. Chemical sunscreens usually contain avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone.*
Dermatologists say the use of either type of sunscreen is much safer than unprotected exposure to the sun. Moreover, there are many safe and effective sunscreens available. Green sunscreen products from SteppieMD™ Ethereal Beauty provide sheer, physical protection from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. “Our sunblock uses physics to reflect the sun’s rays rather than allowing it to penetrate your skin,” remarked Michael Steppie, Orlando Mohs micrographic cancer surgeon.
*NOTE: The sale of oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens is banned in some places like Hawaii due to coral bleaching. Since these chemicals are potential hormone disrupters that could possibly be absorbed into the blood stream, you may prefer to use a mineral sunblock.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Any day you go outside, the sun emits harmful ultraviolet radiation. So, regardless of age, gender, or race, the routine use of sunscreens can help prevent skin cancer by protecting exposed skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Listed below are questions and answers to help you make a more informed decision about using sun protective products:
Can I use Aloe Vera as a sunscreen?
No. Although aloe vera is often an ingredient used in sunscreens, it cannot provide sufficient sun protection on its own. Many post-sunburn products contain aloe vera, but your goal should always be to avoid sunburn.
Don’t sunscreens contain harmful chemicals?
Probably Not. According to the AAD, claims that sunscreen ingredients are a hazard to human health have not been proven. If you want to avoid chemicals that are less environmentally friendly, opt for mineral-based sunblock. Always remember the most harm comes from the sun.
Should I use sunscreen when I’m not at the beach or pool?
Yes. UV radiation is all around you and you can suffer overexposure in your car through the glass. Sunscreen protects against three common types of skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Do I need to apply sunscreen after 4 pm?
Yes. The sun still emits harmful UV rays outside of the “peak hours”. So, if your skin is going to be exposed to the damaging effects of the sun, it is always prudent to apply sunscreen or sunblock.
I tan easy and never burn, so do I need to use sunscreen?
Yes. You still need to use sunscreen. Skin damage occurs collectively throughout your lifetime. Whether you burn or not, is irrelevant. You can still have sun-related skin cancer as a result of overexposure to UV radiation.
Do I need to use sunscreen if I have a darker complexion?
Yes. A skin pigment called melanin is responsible for your darker complexion. Although the melanin helps to absorb harmful ultraviolet rays to protect your skin, it is not enough to prevent sun damage.
Can I use Vaseline to treat sunburn?
No, Vaseline is a petroleum jelly. Although the company itself recommends using it for minor sunburn. Vaseline can actually block pores, seal in the heat, and even lead to a skin infection from sweat that cannot escape.
Do I apply sunscreen to my face before foundation?
Yes. To be fully protected from the UV rays, you should apply sunscreen directly to your skin underneath any primer (or foundation). This also applies to tinted sunscreens as they also protect the best when applied directly to your face.
Can sunscreen really reduce photoaging?
Yes. According to the journal Dermatologic Surgery, the daily use of a facial broad-spectrum photostable sunscreen may visibly reverse the signs of existing photodamage, in addition to preventing additional sun damage.
Is it okay to just apply sunscreen in morning?
No. If you are going to be outdoors, ultraviolet light can breakdown the chemicals rendering the sunscreen less effective. If you are in and out of water, both chemical sunscreen and mineral blocks can be washed away.
Does sunscreen ever expire?
Yes. FDA regulations require all sunscreens to have an expiration date unless the product has been proven to last for a minimum of three years. For any product you have that doesn’t have an expiration date, then it expires after three years.
Are homemade sunscreens as effective as OTC products?
Probably not. Social media platforms are filled with online recipes for do-it-yourself sunscreens. But, a recent study by Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida concluded that over two-thirds of the recipes yielded products with insufficient sun protection.
Can using sunscreen lead to a Vitamin-D deficiency?
No. Even though UVB rays are the wavelength that triggers vitamin D production, the Skin Cancer Foundation says the prevailing studies show people who use sunscreen every day can easily maintain healthy levels without vitamin-D insufficiency.
Does an older adult need to use sunscreen?
Yes. It really doesn’t matter how many years of sun damage your skin has suffered. It is never too late to start reversing skin damage by following a good sun protection strategy that includes sunscreens and moisturizers.
Can I safely tan if I properly apply sunscreen?
No, but using sunscreen is a much safer approach. There is really no safe way to tan. In fact, every time you tan, there is damage to your skin. As skin damage continues, it speeds up the aging process and increases your risk for all types of skin cancer.
Significant scientific evidence supports the life-changing benefits of using sunscreen or sunblock daily to protect your skin against harmful UV rays. However, using a sunscreen shouldn’t be the only preventive step taken. Always seek shade (when appropriate) and dress to protect your skin, including wearing a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection to prevent sun damage to your eyes.
If you have concerns as to whether the sunscreen you’ve chose is safe and effective at preventing sun damage, schedule an important with a dermatologist to determine the best sun protection strategy.