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.
Just use a lower SPF like 30, this is lower protection meaning you will tan quicker than you would with SPF50.
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?
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.
It is generally recommended that most people use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen all year round. People who use SPF 50, however, sometimes acquire a false sense of security, thinking they are invincible to the sun.
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.
There's a common misconception that using sunscreen with a high SPF, such as SPF 50, can lead to darker skin. However, this is not accurate. SPF 50 sunscreen provides robust protection against UVB rays, reducing the risk of sunburn and potential darkening.
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.
A UV index of 3-5 is considered moderate and is ideal for tanning. During this range, the sun's rays are strong enough to stimulate melanin production in the skin without causing severe damage. It's important to note that even at this level, prolonged exposure without protection can lead to sunburn.
The truth is, you can still tan even if you've diligently applied your highest SPF.
Why You Shouldn't Wear Sunscreen Every Day. If you were to use sunscreen every day, your body would continuously absorb any chemicals it contains, potentially much faster than your body can filter and excrete them.
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.
Put another way, if your unprotected skin would take ten minutes to show signs of burning, then properly applying SPF 30 sunscreen would slow the rate of burning to the point where it would take 30 times longer, or 300 minutes in total. SPF 15 would take 150 minutes, while SPF 50, 500 minutes.
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.
It has been found that in average conditions, a sunscreen with SPF 50 will last for approximately 3 to 4 hours [9]. If you're on the move, sweating, or in a place with a particularly strong UV index, it is recommended to apply SPF 50 sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours.
As previously mentioned, tanning oils have little or no SPF to enable a quicker tan. For this reason, we strongly advise using tanning oil along with other sun protection products. Applying a sunscreen with an SPF before tanning oil, offers a layer of protection.
While it is true that wearing sunglasses may shield the skin surrounding the eyes from the sun's rays and limit direct exposure, this does not stop the synthesis of melanin.
According to Dr. Peter Katz, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “there is no such thing as a healthy or safe tan. Tanned skin is a result of damage to the skin cells, your skin producing pigment in response to UV damage in an attempt to protect itself.
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.