Can you tan with sunscreen on?

The Australian lifestyle has long been synonymous with the sun, surf and sand and the stereotypical ideal of the bronzed Aussie body. But while we may have had a longstanding love affair with golden, sun-kissed skin, we’re now far more informed about the risks of sun exposure and just how dangerous it can be to seek out a perfect tan.

Most of us want to keep our skin safe and protected when in the sun. While we know it’s important to wear sunscreen, very few of us fully understand how sunscreen protects our skin and often find ourselves asking questions like “Does sunscreen prevent tanning?”, “Does a higher SPF work better?” and “Is there a safe way to tan?”.

Well, wonder no longer. As experts in sunscreen formulation development and manufacturing, we know a thing or two about sunscreen and are here to put your questions to rest. Read on to find out everything you need to know about sunscreen and tanning.

Sunscreen, whether chemical or physical, doesn’t completely block all UV rays, meaning you can still tan while wearing it.Tanning is the skin’s response to UV exposure, stimulating melanin production to protect deeper layers. It can also lead to potential sun damage such as premature ageing, uneven skin tone and increased risk of skin cancer.To tan safely, minimise direct sun exposure (especially during peak hours), always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, or opt for fake tanning products for a risk-free, sun-kissed look without harmful UV exposure.

How Does Sunscreen Protect Your Skin?

We’ve all grown up having the golden rules of sunscreen application drummed into us—make sure you put sunscreen on before you go outside; don’t forget to apply it to all of your exposed skin; remember to reapply regularly; reapply more frequently if you’re going swimming…

We know that as long as we follow the rules, our skin should be protected from damage from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays—but how does sunscreen actually work? 

Sunscreens work by including an active ingredient which protects the skin by either:

• forming a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, or
• absorbing UV radiation before it can cause any harm to our skin.

When used correctly, sunscreen prevents UV radiation from inflicting damage to the DNA in our skin cells, which can lead to premature ageing, wrinkles and skin cancer.

Chemical & Physical Sunscreen

Sunscreens are broadly categorised as either chemical or physical sunscreens. Whether a sunscreen is considered to be either chemical or physical will depend on the active ingredients used in the sunscreen formulation.

Physical sunscreens (also known as mineral or natural sunscreens) commonly use active ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These create a physical barrier on the skin’s surface which either reflects or scatters UV radiation before it’s able to penetrate deeper into the skin. Physical sunscreens can be a great option if you have sensitive skin or allergies as they are less likely to trigger a reaction compared to a chemical sunscreen, however, they can leave a chalky residue which can make them less appealing to use.

Chemical sunscreens utilise different active ingredients such as octyl salicylate, octocrylene, homosalate or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane. These work by absorbing UV radiation and converting it into harmless heat to provide protection against sunburn and skin damage. Chemical sunscreens are usually quite pleasant to use, however they are more likely to cause irritation for people with sensitive skin or certain allergies.

Which type of sunscreen is best is an entirely personal choice—both chemical and physical sunscreens will protect against UV radiation.

What Are UV Rays – Difference Between UVA and UVB

The primary function of sunscreen is to protect our skin from harmful UV rays, but what are UV rays? 

UV rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. They are not visible to the human eye because their wavelengths are shorter than those of visible light. 

There are three different types of UV radiation which vary in wavelengths, which affects how they interact with the atmosphere and our skin. The shorter the wavelength of the UV radiation, the more harmful it is.

The three types of UV radiation include:

• UVA (315-400 nm): This is the longest wavelength of the UV rays. It is also the form of UV that is least filtered by the ozone layer and atmosphere, meaning UVA accounts for approximately 95 per cent of the UV radiation that reaches the earth’s surface. The longer wavelength of UVA means it can penetrate deeper into the skin, contributing to premature skin aging. UVA exposure can also increase the risk of some types of skin cancer.
• UVB (280-135 nm): UVB rays have slightly shorter wavelengths. While most UVB rays are absorbed by the atmosphere, the small percentage that is able to penetrate through can significantly damage the skin. UVB can’t reach the deeper layers of the skin, but primarily affects the outer layers of the skin. It is the major cause of sunburn and increased skin cancer risk. 
• UVC (100-280 nm): UVC rays have the shortest wavelengths and are considered the most harmful. Thankfully, UVC rays are completely filtered by the ozone layer and atmosphere, meaning they never reach the Earth’s surface. 

Sunscreens primarily protect against the more harmful UVB rays, however, sunscreens labelled as ‘broad-spectrum’ provide protection against both UVB and UVA radiation.

How Does SPF Work?

SPF (which stands for Sun Protection Factor) is a measurement of how well a sunscreen protects the skin from UVB radiation and sunburn when applied correctly. 

SPF ratings are calculated based on the length of time it takes for UVB radiation to redden the skin when using the sunscreen compared to not using any sunscreen at all. For example, if unprotected skin takes 10 seconds to burn but sunscreen-protected skin takes 500 seconds to burn, the sunscreen would have a SPF50 rating (calculated by dividing 500 by 10).

In Australia, SPF ratings can vary from as little as SPF4 (low protection) up to SPF50+ (very high protection).

The higher the SPF rating of a sunscreen, the better it filters UVB radiation. For example, when SPF30 is applied correctly, around 1/30th (or 3.3%) of UVB radiation will be able to reach the skin, whereas SPF50 only allows around 1/50th (or 2%) of UVB radiation through.

What Is Tanning And How Does A Tan Work?

Until now we’ve largely focused on the relationship between UV radiation and sunburn, but haven’t discussed how tanning fits into the equation.

Tanning is the process where the skin darkens or becomes more pigmented in response to exposure to UV radiation, particularly UVA and UVB rays from the sun. 

When skin is exposed to UV radiation, it triggers specialised skin cells called melanocytes to increase production of a pigment called melanin. Melanin is a natural substance that gives our skin, hair and eyes their colour. When melanin production increases, it leads to skin darkening or tanning.

But is a tan harmful? The short answer is yes. 

Tanning (or increased melanin production) is the natural physiological response that happens in an effort to prevent further damage to the skin. Melanin produces a shielding effect by creating a barrier that scatters UV radiation and providing an absorbent filter that reduces the amount of UV that can penetrate the skin’s surface. 

A tan is essentially a sign that skin damage has already occurred. Even a light tan is a signal that the skin is trying to protect itself from potentially harmful UV radiation. 

Can You Still Tan With Sunscreen On?

Yes. While sunscreen can significantly reduce the amount of UV radiation that reaches your skin, no sunscreen can completely block UV rays. Even when wearing sunscreen, some UV rays will still penetrate the skin and stimulate melanin production, leading to tanning.

The higher the SPF of the sunscreen you’re using, the greater the level of protection it will provide against UVB rays, and the slower the rate of tanning. However, even sunscreen with a very high protection factor can’t completely prevent tanning if you are exposed to UV radiation for an extended period.

How To Tan Safely 

Unfortunately, there is no safe way to tan. Every tan is a sign that some level of skin damage has already occurred, and any level of UV-related skin damage can increase your risk of skin cancer. 

Having said that, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your skin as safe and protected, such as:

• Use a sunscreen with a high SPF rating every day (even if you’ll be mostly staying indoors).
• Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA radiation.
• Apply and reapply the sunscreen according to the instructions listed on the product label.
• Adopt other sun-smart practices like wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and seeking shade throughout the day.
• Reapply more frequently than normal if you’ll be doing certain activities, such as swimming.

Some skin types are also more susceptible to UV-related skin damage than others. For example, people with fair skin that burns easily may benefit from choosing a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating and reapplying more frequently. 

Fake Tan: A UV Free Alternative

If you love the look of a tan but want to keep your skin safe and protected from UV radiation, using a fake tanning product (such as a self tanning lotion or spray) is the best alternative.

Fake tanners allow you to achieve a tan-like appearance without the harmful effects of UV exposure. By opting for a fake tan, you can protect your skin’s health and reduce the risk of long-term consequences associated with UV radiation. 

Fake tanning products are generally quite easy to use and many provide immediate results. You can also control the depth of your tan to achieve a natural-looking glow without the need for hours of sun exposure. Fake tanning can also be used on all  skin types and tones without leaving tan lines.

It is however important to note that fake tanners won’t protect your skin from UV damage. Your skin can still burn and tan through fake tan, so make sure you also use a sunscreen with a suitable SPF rating.

Wild Child Sunscreen Formulations

At Wild Child, we develop and manufacture a variety of sunscreen products designed to withstand Australia’s harsh conditions.

If you’re considering adding a sunscreen line to your skincare or cosmetics brand, we provide tailored solutions to help you bring your ideas to life and get your product to market in the shortest possible time. 

Benefiting from our vast experience with both chemical and mineral sunscreen formulations, your products will be crafted with utmost precision at our cutting-edge facilities using only TGA-approved ingredients. 

Discover more about sunscreen manufacturing with Wild Child or contact us to discuss your ideas for a sunscreen product.