The truth is, you can still tan even if you've diligently applied your highest SPF.
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.
Just use a lower SPF like 30, this is lower protection meaning you will tan quicker than you would with SPF50.
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.
But the extra protection is negligible. Properly applied SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of UVB rays; SPF 100 blocks 99 percent. When used correctly, sunscreen with SPF values between 30 and 50 offers adequate sunburn protection, even for people most sensitive to sunburn.
Remember, the SPF of your sunscreen is not linked to how long you can stay in the sun, just to the amount of sun exposure you're protected from. Regardless of SPF, the protection will begin to wear off after a few hours. The advice from experts, therefore, is to reapply sunscreen every two hours.
Applying SPF 30+ protects you from 97% of UV rays, while SPF 50+ from 98%. This means that some rays will still reach your skin despite wearing sunscreen, so it will not prevent tanning completely.
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.
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.
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.
In addition to SPF, we need to make sure our sunscreen follows a few simple criteria to be truly effective. The first is to find sunscreens that are listed as “broad-spectrum.” This term means that the sunscreen protects users against not only UVB radiation—which is responsible for causing sunburns—but UVA as well.
You might be using it incorrectly. “The biggest thing I see with patients is that they are not applying enough sunscreen, and they aren't reapplying it,” says David Harvey, M.D., a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Piedmont Healthcare. “It doesn't matter if you use SPF 100 when you don't apply enough.
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.
Why Is Baby Oil Used For Tanning? Many people tan with baby oil because it can make your skin tan more quickly. The reason for this quicker tan is because baby oil helps attract and absorb UV rays, says Farber. The problem, and this is a big one, is that baby oil doesn't offer sun protection.
For all intents and purposes, an effective, broad-spectrum sunscreen will minimize tanning, but it doesn't give you 100% protection from the sun's UVA and UVB rays. That means that over extended periods of time outdoors, your skin (depending on skin type) will most likely tan even with properly applied sunscreen.
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?
Most people tan within 1 to 2 hours, but factors like skin type, weather conditions, and the time of day will play a role. Burns and color may take time to develop, so don't assume you're not tanning if you don't see immediate results.
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.
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.