The sunscreen myths are everywhere and they’re getting worse. Despite decades of research proving sunscreen’s benefits, social media influencers and wellness gurus continue spreading dangerous misinformation that’s putting people’s skin at serious risk.

You’ve probably heard some of these myths yourself: “sunscreen blocks vitamin D,” “tallow-based sunscreen is safe for you” or “you don’t need sunscreen if your makeup has SPF.” The problem? People believe this stuff, skip proper sun protection, and end up with premature aging, sun damage, or worse—skin cancer.

It’s time to set the record straight. Let’s dive into the most persistent sunscreen myths and break them down with actual science, dermatology research, and expert insights that might just save your skin.

☀️ Myth 1: Sunscreen will make you vitamin D deficient

The Truth: Sunscreen reduces the amount of UVB rays absorbed by the skin but doesn’t completely block them. Numerous studies, including those cited by the American Academy of Dermatology, confirm that typical sunscreen use does NOT significantly impact vitamin D levels. You can also safely supplement vitamin D through diet or vitamins if needed.

☀️ Myth 2: You don’t need sunscreen indoors

The Truth: Think you’re safe behind glass? Think again. While UVB rays are blocked by windows, UVA rays slide right through and are the main culprits behind long-term aging, collagen breakdown, and some skin cancers. If you’re working by a window or spending long hours in natural light indoors, sunscreen is still your friend.

☀️ Myth 3: You only need sunscreen on sunny days

The Truth: UV radiation doesn’t take cloudy days off. Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, and if there’s snow on the ground, it reflects up to 80% of UV light back at you, doubling your exposure. Wearing sunscreen should be as automatic as brushing your teeth, every single day, not just when you’re beach-bound.

☀️ Myth 4: Dark skin doesn’t need sunscreen

The Truth: While melanin does provide some natural UV protection (roughly equivalent to SPF 13), it’s nowhere near enough to prevent sun damage, hyperpigmentation, or melanoma. And here’s the scary part: skin cancers in darker-skinned individuals are often detected much later, leading to worse outcomes. Everyone—and I mean everyone—regardless of skin tone, needs daily sun protection.

☀️ Myth 5: Higher SPF means you can stay in the sun longer

The Truth: SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays; SPF 50 blocks 98%, and SPF 100 blocks 99%. The difference is minimal, and no SPF lasts all day. You still need to reapply every two hours (or immediately after swimming or sweating), regardless of whether you’re wearing SPF 30 or SPF 100.

☀️ Myth 6: You only need sunscreen on your face

The Truth: Your face gets a lot of attention in skincare routines, but don’t forget about your neck, ears, chest, hands, and scalp—these are actually some of the most common sites for skin cancer and visible aging. If it’s exposed to the sun, it needs sunscreen. Period.

☀️ Myth 7: One application in the morning is enough

The Truth: Sunscreen wears off due to sweat, oil, rubbing, and UV exposure. It wears off throughout the day due to sweat, oil production, touching your face, and simple UV degradation. Dermatologists are pretty adamant about this: reapply every 2 hours, and more often if you’re swimming or sweating. Keep a sunscreen stick, powder, or spray handy for easy touch-ups on the go.

☀️ Myth 8: You can rely on makeup with SPF

The Truth: Most makeup products with SPF are not applied thickly enough to offer true protection. You’d literally need to slather on about a tablespoon of foundation to get the protection on the label. Use a dedicated broad-spectrum sunscreen underneath your makeup for real protection, then consider SPF makeup as a nice bonus layer.

☀️ Myth 9: Sunscreen is bad for acne prone or sensitive skin

The Truth: The sunscreen game has seriously improved in recent years. Many modern formulas are non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and specifically designed for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Look for ingredients like zinc oxide or niacinamide, which can actually help soothe irritation while protecting your skin.

☀️ Myth 10: DIY Sunscreens are a natural, safe alternative

The Truth: Tiktok might be full of homemade sunscreen recipes, but here’s what they don’t tell you, these DIY concoctions often lack tested, stable UV filters and may offer little to no actual protection. They also don’t undergo the rigorous FDA or EU testing for photostability, SPF accuracy, or safety. Using homemade sunscreen is basically playing Russian roulette with your skin.

☀️ Myth 11: Tanning with sunscreen is safe

The Truth: Any tan is your skin’s SOS signal that it’s been damaged. Sunscreen reduces UV penetration but doesn’t block it entirely, so you can still tan while wearing it. But here’s the thing: there’s no such thing as a healthy tan. Any color change means DNA damage, which increases your risk of skin cancer and premature aging.

☀️ Myth 12: You don’t need sunscreen if you have a base tan

The Truth: A tan provides an SPF of about 2–4, which is virtually useless. It might slightly reduce your chance of burning, but it does not protect against DNA damage, aging, or cancer. A base tan is just prior damage, not protection.

☀️ Myth 13: Korean sunscreens aren’t regulated

The Truth: Korean sunscreens sold in the U.S. must use FDA-approved UV filters, just like any other sunscreen. In Korea and Europe, sunscreens are actually classified as quasi-drugs and undergo strict efficacy testing. The reason people love Korean sunscreens? They often have superior textures and finishes that make you actually want to wear them daily and consistent use is what really matters.

☀️ Myth 14: Sunscreen is only needed at the beach

The Truth: UV exposure is happening right now as you walk to your car, drive with the windows down, or sit by that sunny window at your favorite coffee shop. It’s this accumulated daily exposure, not just those few beach vacation days, that’s the real culprit behind aging and skin cancer risk. Your skin doesn’t distinguish between “beach UV” and “everyday UV.”

☀️ Myth 15: You can skip sunscreen if you’re wearing a hat or sitting in shade

The Truth: Hats and shade are great additions to your sun protection routine, but they’re not sunscreen substitutes. UV rays are sneaky, they bounce off surfaces like water, sand, pavement, and even grass, hitting you from multiple angles. A wide-brimmed hat and shade help reduce direct exposure, but you still need that chemical barrier on your skin.

With so many options on the market, finding a sunscreen that feels good, looks good, and actually protects your skin can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the best facial SPFs for summer 2025, covering every skin type, texture preference, and budget

I used to think I didn’t need SPF unless I was on holiday. I told myself my skin “handled” the sun, that I had the “right” skin for tanning.. That was before I saw fine lines at 29 and melasma wreaked havoc on my face. Wearing sunscreen daily changed everything, and I’ll never skip it again. My partner on the other hand, is 44 and has the skin of someone in their early 30s. His secret? He’s worn sunscreen every single day since he was a teenager, ever since he first heard “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” by Baz Luhrmann.

Turns out, that song was onto something.