Sunscreen and Sunkissed Glow: Can You Still Tan with Sunscreen On?

For years and generations, the deep golden-brown tan has remained as a symbol of a well-spent summer. From days spent surfing at Whangamatā, or hiking in the Abel Rasman to getting a classic BBQ over the deck. New Zealand is a rose heaven built on an outdoor lifestyle. We can definitely enjoy ‘sun kissed’ culture while prioritising our health and vitality.

As per study by sunsmart.org.nz, nearly 90,000 Kiwis are diagnosed every year with skin related issues, making Aotearoa with the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. It is not just a statistical data, but a direct call to simplify and nurture our unique relation with the sun.

The great news? Can you still tan with sunscreen on? The answer will be a Yes!

Yes, you absolutely can achieve that beautiful glow with sunscreen on. Well now is the time to take a dig into the science and ditch all the myths. Let's establish a sun-protected path, without sacrificing our skin’s vitality and well being.

Can You Still Tan With Sunscreen ? 

New Zealand is a wonderful country with unique nature properties; making it essential for you to understand sun protection. The sunscreen isn't a total barrier, it's a gentle filter. It precisely reduces the level of UV radiation that hits your skin, preventing the immediate, painful damage response.

Many people wonder: can you still tan with sunscreen? The answer is YES! 

Here, the UV radiation is strong, up to 40% higher than similar places in the Northern Hemisphere. This isn't a reason to worry, but a great reason to be mindful. It's due to a few simple, interlinked factors:

• The Earth's Elliptical Orbit: During the Southern Hemisphere summer (December to February), the Earth is actually a little closer to the sun, which can naturally make the intensity of the UV radiation increase by about 7%.
• Our Beautiful Clean Air: We're proud of our clean atmosphere, but fewer atmospheric aerosols and pollutants are available to scatter and absorb the UV rays before they reach your skin. This is why our environment is so pure, but also why we need to be a little more vigilant.
• Ozone Influence: Ozone layer filters UV radiations, but it is naturally thinner over New Zealand. In Summers, the effect of this results in penetrating UV rays a little deeper into the skin.

Slow and Safe Tanning with Sunscreen 

To understand how a slow, gentle glow is achievable, it is time to understand what's happening just beneath the surface.

• Understanding Melanin: Tanning is your skin's responsive way of creating melanin, a natural pigment. It's a temporary protection shield against the harmful UVA rays.
• The Power of Slow: Sunscreen filters out around 98% of harmful radiations (depending on the SPF). The best thing about this slow process is that; if you tan with sunscreen safely, the resulting glow comes with significantly less risk of burning.

The Mechanism of Protection: How Sunscreen Works?

To be precise it is believed that sunscreen totally acts as a barrier to tanning and does not block 100% UV rays reaching you, it filters them. This process is vital if you want to know: can you still tan with sunscreen without damaging accelerated cells. Using SPF 50+ ensures that you are getting the optimal level of protective filtering for the most slow and beautiful glow. Understand SPFs to get better glow:

• SPF 15 blocks around 93% of the UVB rays.
• SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays.
• SPF 50+ blocks somewhat 98-99% of UVB rays.

If you get tanning naturally, then you can get a gentle glow by using high SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+). Consistently using a high SPF offers a gentle, slow collection of melanin over maximum days of sun exposure. This provides a gentle, and gradual glow with significantly less risk of sunburn, premature ageing, cancer that came on the loose from frying your skin, or cell damage.

The Essential Kiwi Sun-Smart Rules

We in Aotearoa can't simply rely only on sunscreen, but simply sun protection in four essential step-by-step rituals. It is based on the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap’ message. 

Slop on Sunscreen; but Apply it Correctly. 

• SPF 50+ Broad Spectrum is Non-negotiable: Check the AS/NZS 2604 standard on the label. It guarantees meeting the stringent protection requirements of our environment. 
• Correct Amount: An average adult needs about seven teaspoons for a full body application: one teaspoon for each arm, one for each leg, one for the back, one for the front torso, and one for the face/ears/neck.
• Application: Apply it 20 minutes before stepping out so the protection shield can properly settle down.
• Setting 2-Hour Reminder: Reapply in every two hours, without fail. It is specifically important after swimming, surfing, or any significant skin exposing activity involving sweating. This is highly essential during summers.

Slip and Slap – Essential Physical Barriers

The best protection for your skin is a physical barrier. It is effortless and powerful.

Slip: Choose a breathable clothing with a high UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings. A rash protectant for kids at the beach is a must. A light, long sleeve shirt with a collar is way better protection shield against sun than any amount of reapplied sunscreen.

Slap and Wrap: A wide-brimmed hat (a cap can't protect your ears and neck!) and close-fitted UV protective sunglasses are crucial for safeguarding the most common sites of skin and eye impairing.

Must Read: The Skin Microbiome: Your Invisible Skin Barrier

The Late-Day Trap: Do you Tan with Sunscreen After 5 PM?

This is one of the most common but very dangerous myths among Kiwis that once the clock ticks past 4 pm, the sun is safe. It is risky and wrong, especially in New Zealand; during daylight saving.

Since the peak UV period is generally 10 am to 4 pm, UV levels can still remain at a high risk (UV index 3+) straight till 6 pm or even late in summer. It depends on the latitude and time of the year. 

A casual even walk on the beach or an after-work backyard cricket match; all still requires protection. It is essential to check your local NIWA UV forecast app; it is the most trusted tool and accessible tool in your sun safety kit.

The New Zealand Aesthetic: A Healthy Glow vs. Damaging Bronze

For decades and years, bronze tan historically signalled wealth and leisure. But today, Kiwis are well-informed that deep bronze tan is simply the proof of accumulated sun damage to their skin. 

Now we are shifting the narrative. The "healthy glow" can be achieved through two ways:

• Smart, Slow, Protected Tanning: Enjoying outdoors safely while applying high-SPF sunscreen, and accepting that the resulting tan will be gentle, gradual, and far less intense. This kind of tan comes with minimal risk of cancer or premature ageing.
• Faux Tanning: Adopting the splendid self-tanning products now widely available. A fake tan delivers the desired aesthetic without a single second of harmful UV exposure. It allows you to enjoy your long summer evenings well protected and tension free. 

Furthermore, your skin is your body's largest organ and is first in the line for protection. In a country like Aotearoa, where UV rays are way intense, the true mark of a person who understands our environment is very distinct. It's not a deep, damaging tan, but a vigilant, protected, and a healthy approach to enjoying different tasks they love doing outdoors. 

So, if you are asking can you still tan with sunscreen then change the narrative! The most attractive skin is the protected skin. Protected from harmful rays, harmful chemicals, and every damaging subject that can hinder your beautiful skin.