Is it possible to get a tan with sunscreen on? In short, the answer is yes. Whilst sunscreen works to reflect and absorb the majority of UV rays, it is designed to let a small number through. No sunscreen can block 100% of the sun's UV rays and this enables you to still tan whilst wearing it.
Yes, it is possible to tan while wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater. Sunscreen provides a level of protection against UV rays, but it does not block them completely. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, which are primarily responsible for tanning and sunburn.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), any sun protection product to a degree containing a broad-spectrum rating of SPF 30 or more will guard your skin against sun-related damage including sunburns, skin cancer, early signs of aging, and, you guessed it, tanning.
You don't necessarily tan faster in water or laying out. This is because water reflects UV rays, so you may not be getting as much exposure as you think if you're actually in the pool.
Is 30 minutes a day enough to tan? It depends on your skin type. Those with fair skin likely need a bit longer, while people with darker skin may only require 15-20 minutes daily. Start slow and gently build UV skin tolerance over multiple sessions for the best color development.
Your Sunscreen Doesn't Have Enough UVA Protection
However, it's the UVA rays that cause tanning. In North America, look for the words “Broad Spectrum” as an indication that the sun filters used in the formulation protect from both UVB and UVA rays.
This happens because “Each of us produces a different quantity and quality of melanin. Melanin is a pigment produced by our cells found in the basal layer of the skin,” explains Dr Puig.
Yes, you read that right! Even formulas as strong as SPF 50 don't block all ultraviolet rays, which are the ones that color your skin a nice, even bronze. That means you can get a bronze tan while ensuring you don't burn and try to avoid skin cancer at the same time. Want to know more?
Yes, you will tan faster without sunscreen because your skin is not protected from the sun's rays. This doesn't mean that you should ditch the sunscreen, however. Unprotected exposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage, so it's important to use sunscreen even if you're trying to tan quickly.
Coconut oil absorbs really well and enhances the tan due to stimulating the production of melanin in the skin. It also protects the skin from photoageing, minimises the risk of sunburn, nourishes and hydrates the skin, prevents dryness, tightness and flaking, and boosts the skin's elasticity and firmness.
Indeed, elements that are part of our environment, such as sand, snow or the surface of water can reflect sunlight onto our skin. Consequently, our skin comes into contact with harmful UV rays, even when we are under a tree or an umbrella. Therefore, it is entirely possible to tan in the shade.
Obviously you may not achieve the deepest, bronze tan if you have applied sunscreen, as its fundamental purpose is to protect you from those harmful UV rays. However, tanning with sunscreen applied is the safest way to achieve the healthiest look, with minimal risk of skin damage.
Since the amount of melanin you can produce is determined by genetics, some people are more prone to burn, while others tan. Although any skin tone can burn, people with naturally darker skin are less likely to do so.
Sunscreen will cause hyperpigmentation if it has any one of these effects. If the sunscreen you wear stresses your skin (some chemical sunscreens can do this), it may cause skin darkening. Secondly, if you use sunscreen that has hormonally-active ingredients (like oxybenzone), it can cause hormonal skin darkening.
In the end, no sunscreen can completely prevent tanning if exposing skin to the sun for extended periods. The myth persists that lower SPF sunscreens aid tanning while higher SPF prevents it. In reality, tanning depends more on sun exposure time, skin tone, and a sunscreen's UVA blocking capacity than the SPF alone.
A cloudy sky may not seem like the best choice for tanning, but it is still possible to tan! According to research and studies, around 90% of UV rays penetrate clouds, therefore reaching your skin. Even if you can't feel the sun on your skin, the UV rays that lead to tanning are still present.