9 Sunscreen Myths, Busted
"Its cloudy I don't need sunscreen"/ "It's not hot, I don't need sunscreen"
- Myth: You only need sunscreen on bright, sunny days.
- Fact: Up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can still reach your skin even on overcast days, and just because its cooler, doesn't mean the UV rays are not reaching you. Daily application is essential regardless of the weather in India. Nasa's data proves it.
"Darker skin doesn't need sunscreen"
- Myth: Melanin-rich skin is naturally protected, so SPF is optional.
- Fact: All skin tones can experience sun damage, which can lead to premature ageing and skin cancer - melanin reduces how quickly you burn, not whether you're damaged. Dermatologists recommend everyone, regardless of skin tone, wear sunscreen every day, year-round.
"Sunscreen causes cancer"
- Myth: SPF is more harmful than helpful.
- Fact: There is no medical evidence that sunscreen causes cancer - but there is strong evidence that UV exposure does. It's radiation after all.
"A higher SPF means I don't need to reapply"
- Myth: SPF 50 is better than SPF 30.
- Fact: Regardless of the SPF number, sunscreens only remain effective for about two hours before they need reapplying. The number changes how much UVB is blocked while active - not how long it lasts.
"My foundation has SPF, so I'm covered"
- Myth: SPF-infused makeup replaces a separate sunscreen step.
- Fact: Most people also apply far less foundation than the amount needed for that SPF to hold anyway. SPF is makeup gives additional layer of protection as most people don't apply the recommended amount either way.
"Mineral sunscreen is always better than chemical"
- Myth: Physical/mineral SPF is automatically the superior, safer choice.
- Fact: Mineral sunscreens aren't inherently better than chemical ones - efficacy comes down to formulation, not category. Both mineral and chemical sunscreens are considered safe and effective by the regulatory bodies worldwide. Mineral tends to be more tolerated by sensitive skin but leaves a white cast, while chemical spreads more easily, making daily wear simpler - each has tradeoffs, not a clear winner.
"Mineral sunscreen reflects UV rays"
- Myth: Mineral sunscreen reflects UV rays and chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays
- Fact: Mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens both absorb UV rays. They both reflect a very small percent of UV rays and function in the same way.
"If I'm indoors, I don't need SPF"
- Myth: Sun protection is only relevant outdoors.
- Fact: Harmful UV rays are present even on cloudy or winter days, and UVA passes straight through window glass. Hours spent near a window - at a desk, in a car -still count as exposure and damages your skin.
Footer note: Myth clarifications based on dermatologist consensus and clinical sources published 2024–2026. UV index data based on hourly measurements across 11 Indian cities, 2023–2025, sourced from NASA POWER, compiled and analysed by 42foundry, June 2026.
