Why do my skin become darker after applying sunscreen? Why do I get darker the more I use it?

Sunscreen is a must in summer and it is extremely important. So why do you get darker after applying sunscreen? Why do you get darker the more you use sunscreen?

Why do I get darker after applying sunscreen?

There could be several reasons:

1. The sun protection factor is not enough, or you don’t pay attention to reapplying it. Generally speaking, the effect of sunscreen can last for a period of time, and with the effect of sweat, you must reapply it at this time. Generally speaking, it takes 2-3 hours.

2. You didn’t apply enough. The thicker you apply it, the better the sun protection effect will be.

3. The sunscreen you use is to prevent sunburn, not to prevent tanning. Many sunscreens in Europe and America are like this. Because they are white and want to get a tan, but too much sun exposure is not good for the skin, so their sunscreen is usually just to prevent sunburn.

Why do you get darker the more you use sunscreen?

Sunscreen is used to prevent the skin from getting tanned. If you apply sunscreen but still get darker, you should consider whether you have made the following misunderstandings.

Myth 1: You only need to apply sunscreen in the summer, but not in the winter

Sunburn has nothing to do with temperature. The culprit that damages the skin is the ultraviolet rays in the light. Ultraviolet rays are the strongest in June and July, but winter ultraviolet rays are only about 20% weaker than in summer, which can still cause great damage to the skin. Moreover, 90% of ultraviolet rays can penetrate clouds, so you should apply sunscreen all year round, whether it is cloudy or rainy.

Myth 2: As long as you apply sunscreen before going out, your skin will be worry-free all day long

After applying sunscreen and being exposed to the sun for several hours outside, the sun protection effect will be greatly weakened due to the influence of sweat and sebum, especially when engaging in long-term outdoor activities or water activities. You must reapply sunscreen in time after excessive oil production and sweating. In hot weather like now, if you are outdoors all the time, it is best to reapply every 2 hours.

Myth 3: If your skin is fair and does not get tanned, you don’t need to apply sunscreen

The purpose of sun protection is not just to prevent the skin from tanning, because ultraviolet radiation can cause skin tanning and photoaging, and in severe cases it can cause skin cancer. If you do not apply sunscreen and are outdoors for 30 minutes, the risk of cancer to the skin is equivalent to smoking a cigarette. Don't just be willful because you have fair skin!

Myth 4: It’s okay to leave sunscreen on for a long time

The main function of sunscreen is to absorb ultraviolet rays. Once the time is up, the sunscreen function disappears and the absorbed ultraviolet rays will stimulate the skin in large quantities. Not only will it fail to have a sunscreen effect, but it will also make your skin darker. Therefore, after the sunscreen time is over, be sure to wash it off and do not leave the sunscreen on your body overnight.

Myth 5: You don’t need sunscreen if you don’t go out

Many people think that they don’t need to wear sunscreen if they don’t go out and are not exposed to the sun. However, glass cannot block ultraviolet rays UVA. As long as they shine through the glass and hit the skin, it will still cause damage. In addition, ultraviolet rays can be refracted through the air and cause damage to the skin from different angles. It is recommended to wear appropriate sunscreen indoors.

Myth #6: Still using last year’s sunscreen

Although the shelf life of sunscreen is indicated as 3 or even 5 years, the performance of the sunscreen will become increasingly unstable after opening. The sunscreen ingredients will be greatly reduced and it will basically not be able to play the original sunscreen role, and may even cause dermatitis.

This is the end of the introduction to the reasons why your skin gets darker after using sunscreen, but you can still learn about it.