Why do people wear sunscreen? Of course, it’s to protect themselves from the sun, right? The thing is most fair-skinned people like to have a little bit of tan when they come back from their vacation. It’s something that often leads them to ask, “Can you tan with sunscreen?”
The short answer is yes, you can still get a nice tan while wearing mineral sunscreen – it’s just that you do it in a safer and more controlled way. In this article, we try to provide some clarity on the tanning process, how sunscreen fits in and how to stay sun-safe.
Can You Tan With Sunscreen? Yes, But More Slowly!
So, we’ve answered the question – can you tan with sunscreen – but now we’ll attempt to explain to you how that is the case. You see, tanning occurs when your skin is hit by UV rays, which then triggers your skin to create more melanin. It’s a defense mechanism for your skin that leaves it looking darker, and the more direct sunlight it comes into contact with, the darker it will get.
There are two main types of UV rays that cause your skin to tan:
- UVA rays: These penetrate deep into the skin, causing long-term damage, wrinkles, and premature aging. They also contribute to tanning.
- UVB rays: These affect the surface of your skin, causing sunburn and increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Mineral sunscreens block both UVA and UVB rays, but they don’t completely prevent tanning. That’s because no sunscreen is ever effective against 100% of UV rays. An SPF 50 comes pretty close (98%), but it’s never zero. Even with sunscreen on, UV rays can still:
- Reach your skin
- Trigger melanin production
- Cause a tan over time
A small percentage of UV rays can still penetrate, especially if your sunscreen isn’t applied properly or if you’re using a lower SPF. What this means is that you will tan, but it’s not going to happen overnight. In this case, however, slow is good, as your skin gets to stay more comfortable and healthy.
Is Getting a Tan with Sunscreen Safer?
Of course, tanning with sunscreen is always going to be safer than without it, however, any tan is a sign of skin damage. You might get that healthy glow you’re looking for, but even if you don’t burn, UV rays still cause DNA damage, which can lead to:
- Premature aging (wrinkles, sunspots, loss of elasticity)
- Increased risk of skin cancer
- Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone
This is why many people choose to get a tan by using self-tanning lotions or bronzers, which don’t expose your skin to harmful UV rays. In fact, they’ve even got moisturizing ingredients inside.
Can You Tan With Sunscreen? Yes, But Do You Want To?
So, to sum things up, can you tan while wearing mineral sunscreen? Yes, but much less than you would if you weren’t wearing any. There’s no such thing as a sunscreen that blocks 100% of UV rays, so a small amount of melanin production can still occur.
That said, if you’re using high SPF sunscreen and reapplying it often, the sun damage that occurs will be greatly reduced. As such, if your goal is healthy, protected skin, mineral sunscreen is definitely your best defense, and if you simply must have a tan, why not use some fake tan instead?
Whatever you decide, you shouldn’t ever attempt to get one without protection. If that was your one takeaway from the article, it was certainly worth reading.
