Hey, we all know we’re supposed to wear sunscreen, but let’s be honest—half the time we’re either slapping on way too little, trusting some random SPF in our makeup, or just skipping it because “eh, clouds.” And that’s how we end up lobster-red or, worse, dealing with stuff years down the road we really don’t want.
So here’s the real talk on five sunscreen things everyone gets wrong (myself included until I finally listened to my dermatologist).
Table of Contents
1. SPF Isn’t “How Strong” It Is—It’s Basically a Timer
People see SPF 100 and think it’s twice as good as SPF 50. Nope.
SPF tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun before burning compared to bare skin. If you normally burn in 10 minutes, SPF 30 theoretically gives you 300 minutes. Cute in a lab, useless once you sweat, swim, or rub your face.
Real-world blocking power:
SPF 15 ≈ 93% of UVB rays blocked
SPF 30 ≈ 97%
SPF 50 ≈ 98%
SPF 100 ≈ 99%
See the diminishing returns? As the American Academy of Dermatology says, SPF 30–50 is plenty if you actually use enough and reapply every two hours.
2. “Broad Spectrum” Isn’t Marketing Fluff—It’s Mandatory
SPF only promises UVB protection (the burny rays). UVA rays are the silent agers—they cause wrinkles, sun spots, and contribute to skin cancer. If it doesn’t say “Broad Spectrum” (US), PA++++ (Asia), or have the little UVA circle logo (Europe), it’s basically half a sunscreen. Don’t buy it. Here’s a deeper dive on what those labels mean. (Example of internal linking)
3. You’re Using, Like, 25% of What You Actually Need
The amount tested to get the SPF on the bottle? Most adults need a full shot glass (1 oz / 30 ml) for head-to-toe if you’re in a swimsuit. For just face and neck, it’s about ½ teaspoon—way more than the sad little squirt most of us use.
(I now keep a shot glass in my bathroom cabinet as a joke/reminder. Works.)
Pro tip my derm gave me: Apply it naked (or in underwear) before you get dressed so you don’t miss the backs of your arms, ears, etc. Reapply the same generous amount every two hours when you’re outside.
4. SPF in Moisturizer + SPF in Foundation Does NOT Equal Their Sum
You do not get SPF 45 by layering SPF 15 moisturizer and SPF 30 foundation. You get whatever the highest one is… and only if you used enough of it (which you didn’t). Makeup with SPF is a nice top-up, not your actual sunscreen. Put real sunscreen on first, let it dry, then do makeup.
5. Sunscreen Doesn’t Tank Your Vitamin D (Stop Using That Excuse)
Every time someone says “but vitamin D!” I sigh. Studies—like this review in the British Journal of Dermatology—show that normal, real-life sunscreen use doesn’t cause deficiency. You’d have to coat yourself perfectly, never go outside without it, and live at the North Pole for that to happen.
Want vitamin D without frying? Eat salmon, eggs, fortified stuff, or just take a damn supplement like the rest of the modern world.
My Simple “Actually Followed” Sunscreen Cheat-Sheet
- Broad-spectrum label (non-negotiable)
- SPF 30–50 for every day
- Texture I’ll actually use (gel if my face is oily, creamy if it’s dry—find your match here)
- ½ teaspoon on face/neck before makeup
- Reapply every 2 hours if I’m outside (set a phone alarm, it helps)
- Still wear hats, sit in shade, avoid noon sun like a vampire
That’s it. Once I stopped treating sunscreen like an optional step and started treating it like brushing my teeth, my skin stopped freaking out every summer.
What’s your biggest sunscreen struggle? Is it the feel, the cost, or just remembering? Let me know in the comments—maybe I’ve found a hack for it!