Three myths about sun cream

What types of sun cream are there?

There are two main types of sun cream, chemical and mineral (also known as physical). Chemical sun creams absorb harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This protects you from damage. Mineral sun cream is usually made from zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide. This type of sun cream blocks the UV rays rather than absorbing them.

Sun cream and sun protection products have a sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the more protection you get.

Below are some common myths about using sun cream.

Myth 1: Sun cream causes cancer

Research shows that wearing sun cream doesn’t increase risk of skin cancer. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to UV light from the sun or sunbeds.

This myth came about because of concerns about some of the ingredients in regular chemical sun creams. The chemicals in sun cream can also be absorbed into your bloodstream, via your skin.

These chemicals have been approved as safe for use, and there is no good evidence to show they can cause cancer. If you are concerned, you could switch to a mineral-based sun cream that isn’t as easily absorbed by your skin.

Myth 2: Using sun cream makes me deficient in vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for good health. It can improve everything from your bone health to your immune function. You can get vitamin D from some foods, such as oily fish, egg yolks, some mushrooms, and fortified foods. Your main source of vitamin D is from UV exposure. So, this means you can get vitamin D from the sun. But using sun cream doesn’t mean you get less vitamin D.

In countries in the northern hemisphere, such as the UK, it is recommended to take a daily supplement of vitamin D from October to March, when the sun is less strong in the winter months.

Myth 3: If there’s SPF in my makeup, I don’t need to wear sun cream

Unfortunately, most make up and moisturisers with SPF are too thin to give enough coverage. Your face is particularly sensitive to sun damage, and this can show up later in life as fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots. So, if you wear makeup, use a facial sun cream with at least SPF 30 before applying your make up. This will help to protect your skin from sun damage.

What’s the best sun cream to use?

Mineral sun creams may be better if you have a skin condition called rosacea. It may also be a better choice for the environment. Mineral sun creams leave a white residue on skin which will show more on darker skin, whereas chemical sun cream blends into skin.

But, using either type of sun cream is a much safer option than not using sun protection at all.

Is it worth buying expensive sun cream?

You don’t need to buy the most expensive sun cream, focus on what gives you the most effective protection. Here are what you need to consider when choosing your sun cream.

• The SPF factor – choose a sun cream with a SPF of 30 or above to get enough protection. Choosing a product with SPF of 50 or above will offer you even more protection and is a good idea for children and people with fair skin.
• Look for ‘broad spectrum’ sun creams, which will protect you from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Both UVA and UVB light can be harmful to your skin. Level of UVA protection is given using a star scale, find a cream with four or five stars.
• You can use sun sticks for delicate areas such as your eyes and lips. Gel-based sun creams may suit you better if you are prone to acne or if you have naturally oily skin.
• Is the sun cream water resistant? If you’ll be swimming or doing water sports in the sun, it’s important to use a water-resistant sun cream. This will last longer in the water. Most of these products still need to be reapplied once you’re out of the water, to ensure they are protecting you effectively.

Can I use sun cream that is expired?

You should check the expiry date as using leftover sun cream from previous years can be less effective at protecting you against sun damage. How you store your sun cream also matters. This is because leaving it in direct sunlight for a long time can reduce its strength.

Be skin cancer aware

Skin cancer is common and caused mainly when the sun damages the DNA in the skin. Some (but not all) of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer include:

• a patch of red skin that doesn’t heal in 4 weeks
• an ulcer, lump or sore which is scaly, pink, red, or white
• a change to a mole, or a new mole

If you have any concerns about your skin health, see a doctor who can look at any skin changes and help you get the relevant treatment.