4 sunscreen myths you need to stop believing

Sunscreen is the most important thing in your vanity kit, yet it is mired in a lot of misconceptions.

When it comes to sun protection, there are a lot of untruths floating around. And because SPF is serious business, we decided to set the record straight.

There is a lot of information circulating on the net and we don’t blame you if you are confused over what to believe.

1. Dark skin is immune to skin cancer

It doesn’t matter how dark your skin is, it is not immune to skin cancer. It is because of this myth that many people with dark skin are diagnosed with later, hard-to-treat stages of the disease.

2. If your makeup has SPF 15, you are covered

If you are relying your foundation alone to protect your face from damaging UV rays, you are grossly mistaken. The minimum you need to wear on your face is SPF 30. Plus, you need a half teaspoon of product to get full protection. Apply an oil-free facial sunscreen, prior to your makeup to keep your face protected from premature photo-aging and of course, deadly UVB rays.

3. A higher SPF means more protection

Even if you purchase sunscreen with an SPF of 100 – you DO NOT get 100% protection from UV rays. Not to mention, according to the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) lower-number SPF offer the same amount of protection as the higher ones and suggest going with an SPF 30+.

4. The ingredients in sunscreens can put your health at risk

While some ingredients are healthier than others, the prevention of skin cancers and sunburn outweigh unproven claims of toxicity. We do suggest a sunscreen with mineral blockers as opposed to chemicals. Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide when looking for safer protection.