In Malaysia, we have summer all year long, and whenever you're out of the house, there's a high chance you will be exposed to the sun. If you want to avoid getting tanned (along with the benefits of avoiding rapidly aging skin and skin cancer) thanks to the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, then proper sun protection is a must. However, the public is not short of misconceptions about sun protection and we'll look at the top 5 of those myths today!
Myth #1: I don't need sunscreen on a cloudy or rainy day or when indoors.
This is one of, if not the most, false belief most people have about sun protection! On cloudy or rainy days, up to 80% of the Sun's UV rays can still penetrate the clouds and reach you. As for indoors, indoor lighting also has UV rays. So, it doesn't matter if you're staying indoors all days, or if the Sun is not shining brightly, daily application of sunscreen is recommended!
Myth #2: The higher the SPF number, the better.
It's a fallacy that we all fall prey to, and not just on sunscreen. The higher any number is on the packaging, the greater the perceived quality of a product. It doesn't get any more wrong than that! The high SPF rating just means higher amounts of sunscreen ingredients to lengthen the time it takes for the Sun to burn through it. However, this causes a great burden on the skin in the long term and might even damage or clog the skin after prolonged overuse. Therefore, it is only recommended to use anything above SPF45 if you'll be staying outdoors for a long time. Otherwise, stick to the lower SPF sunscreens for your own good.
Myth #3: Barrier creams / base creams can replace sunscreens.
Although many barrier creams contain sun protection properties, many people think that it can fully replace sunscreens. However, it's main purpose is to act as a layer between contaminants and your skin or to tone up your skin. Hence, it's sun protection properties are not as well defined. Imagine using a fork to eat rice, you can, but it's not as efficient as it's not meant to do that. Our recommendation is to apply sunscreen as you would with or without the base cream for proper sun protection.
Myth #4: As long as I have applied sunscreen, I'm protected.
Applying sunscreen is an art in itself. Some sunscreens "activate" instantly on application while others take about 30 minutes for the skin to absorb. It helps to know what kind of sunscreen you have and how it should be used (before makeup/after makeup) for maximum effect.
Myth #5: Applying sunscreen once is enough for the day.
Sunscreen, like any other thing you apply on your screen (read: makeup), will come off with sweat and water and tears. Even rubbing and friction against your clothing will wear it off. Therefore, if you're actively outdoors for a day, it is suggested to reapply every 2-3 hours, even if you don't see yourself sweat!
So, how many of these myths were you a believer of before today? Whether you're crazy about skincare or just casually going about life, your skin's health is more important than most people think. If you want to know more about Sun protection, check out the A-B-Cs of Sun protection here!
