Sunscreen myths and mistakes

Read this and keep your skin in tip top condition

11 June 2024 11 minute read

A mother applies sunscreen to her child's face

Most of us have experienced the sting from the Australian sun. And it turns out, most of us don't really know when to slap on some sunscreen. A study by the Cancer Council found that 9 out of 10, opens in a new tab Aussies are a bit lost when it comes to sun protection and over half of us are getting confused about sunscreen myths.

At nib, we’re all about prevention. So, before you reach for the aloe vera let’s unpack some of the myths and mistakes that you might be making when it comes to applying sunscreen.

1. Not applying enough

If you thought that a single squirt of sunscreen would be enough to cover your body, you’d be wrong. The Sun Smart website, opens in a new tab explains that the average-sized adult needs a teaspoon of sunscreen for their head, each limb, for the front and the back of your body – that’s about 35ml of sunscreen for one application (which is more than a shot glass of sunscreen)!

2. Going sunscreen-free while doing the gardening or walking the dog

You might think sunscreen is only for beach days, but that's not the case! Whether you're gardening, walking the dog, having a picnic, or catching a footy game, sunscreen is a must. In Australia, the sun's rays can be super strong, even during everyday stuff like this. Over time, all that exposure adds up and can increase your risk of skin cancer. So, slap on that sunscreen, no matter what you're up to!

3. Only using it when it’s sunny

It’s raining cats and dogs outside and you’re heading into the office for another nine to five; you don’t need sunscreen, right?

Wrong.

The Sun Smart website recommends wearing sunscreen every day that the UV index is higher than three, regardless of whether it’s raining, hailing or shining. The Cancer Council launched the free Sun Smart app, opens in a new tab which gives you live updates on UV levels, a sunscreen calculator and reminders to reapply.

And, it’s not just your skin that’s affected by UV rays; did you know that your eyes are also at risk of burning? Check out our article: What is UV damage and how does it affect your eyes?, opens in a new tab

A couple wearing hats tend to their cows in a paddock

4. Thinking you don’t need sunscreen because you “tan easily”

We all have know that person who seems to ‘tan effortlessly’ after spending a few minutes in the sun, but that golden glow comes with a long-term cost. Tanning, just like sunburn, is a sign of damage to your skin's DNA, opens in a new tab. When your skin gets damaged by the sun, your body sends repair teams to fix it up. These repairs often show up as a darker tan, but they're not perfect. Some damage might stick around, leading to premature aging and even skin cancer down the road.

Even if you don't burn easily, you're still at risk of skin cancer, opens in a new tab from too much sun exposure. So, it's crucial to protect your skin, no matter your skin type.

5. Ditching the sunscreen while you’re driving

Did you know that the glass in your car's side windows might not fully shield you from the sun's harmful UV rays? That's right! Even though it reduces UV radiation, opens in a new tab, it doesn't block it completely.

So, if you're cruising around on a sunny day, you could be getting more sun than you bargained for. And here's the kicker: all that time spent in the car can add up, increasing your risk of skin damage and, ultimately, skin cancer.

6. Relying on your SPF makeup to keep you protected

You’re rushing out the door for work, you put your BB cream on, and you're good to go, right? Well, not quite! Unless your makeup is SPF50 or higher, opens in a new tab, you'll want to add sunscreen underneath if you're heading out and the UV level is 3 or higher.

Applying sunscreen shouldn’t just be a one-time thing in the morning. For best results, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you're out and about.

Most makeup products don't offer enough sun protection. So, make sure you've got that extra layer of sunscreen to keep your skin safe and sound.

7. Thinking sunscreen will lower your vitamin D

You may have heard on the grapevine that using sunscreen can impact your Vitamin D. Studies have found that using sunscreen doesn't really affect your vitamin D levels in the long run, opens in a new tab. Most of us get plenty of vitamin D from just being out and about when the UV level is 3 or higher.

If you live in an area where the UV level drops below 3 during winter, you can top up your vitamin D by spending some time outside around midday.

Here's the catch: spending a lot of time in the sun won't keep increasing your vitamin D levels, but it does up your risk of skin cancer. Typically, Aussies get enough vitamin D with just a few minutes of sun exposure during daily tasks like running errands.

But when the sun's rays are strong (UV levels 3 or above), it's important to protect your skin to lower the risk of skin cancer.

If you're concerned about your vitamin D levels, chat with your doctor.

8. Using an old bottle

Just like food and medication, sunscreen has an expiry date and if you’re using an expired bottle, you could be wasting your time. Cancer Council advises, opens in a new tab that most sunscreens last about two to three years but shouldn’t be used past its expiration date as it may not be effective.

9. Storing your sunscreen incorrectly

You read that right; sunscreen should be stored at temperatures below 30°C and out of direct sunlight, opens in a new tab, which is no mean feat when you’re spending the day at the beach. Wrap your sunscreen in a towel, bury it in the sand (and cover with a towel) or store it in a freezer bag to help keep it cool on a hot day. And while keeping a bottle in the car may seem like a good idea, frequent exposure to high temps could make your sunscreen lose effectiveness completely.

10. Forgetting to reapply your sunscreen!

Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, opens in a new tab if you’re spending time in the great outdoors. Plus, if you’re swimming or sweating (who doesn’t in the heat of an Aussie summer?) you should apply more regularly. If you’ve got a bub under six months, opens in a new tab, the Cancer Council doesn’t recommend using sunscreen; instead make sure your baby is sun safe by dressing them in protective clothing (including a hat) and keeping them in the shade.

11. Waiting until you’re already outside to apply sunscreen

Your sunscreen takes at least 20 minutes to fully absorb into your skin, opens in a new tab, which means if you’re applying it when you’re already outside, you’re putting your skin at risk of burn. An extra little fact – you should be applying sunscreen before you don your swimming trunks, as they probably don’t contain adequate SPF to completely protect you.

12. You rely on sunscreen (and only sunscreen)

Unfortunately your sunscreen can’t block out 100% of the sun’s UV rays, so you shouldn’t rely on just sunscreen to protect you throughout the day. Grab yourself some sunnies, opens in a new tab, throw on a hat and wear a long-sleeved shirt; they don’t say slip, slop, slap, wrap for no reason.

Has it been a while since your last skin check?

While small amounts of ultraviolet light (UV) are necessary for healthy bones, opens in a new tab and muscles, too much exposure can damage your skin’s cells and ultimately lead to skin cancer.

There’s no question that skin cancer can be serious, but there are many steps you can take to both reduce your risk of developing skin cancer and increase your chances of early detection. Take the nib skin self-assessment, opens in a new tab and really get to know your own skin with regular DIY skin checks, so you are aware of any changes or abnormalities. If you fall into the high-risk category, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional about regular professional checks.

Alternatively, if you've got a spot, mole or freckle you want to check out, but haven't booked an appointment yet, it might be time to download nib SkinVision, opens in a new tab. With nib SkinVision, opens in a new tab, you can check your skin for signs of skin cancer anytime, anywhere – it’s as easy as downloading the app and taking a photo. You’ll receive personalised advice in minutes after uploading the photo.

Keen to visit a doctor? It's a good idea to make an appointment at least once a year for a professional skin check. Keep up to date with the health checks, opens in a new tab you should be having on a regular basis.

The information in this article is general in nature and should not replaced personalised advice given to you by a medical professional.