Does Sunscreen Make Your Skin Darker?

Does Sunscreen Make Your Skin Darker?

does sunscreen make your skin darker? People have been asking this question and they are interested to know the answer to it. Because it does not matter what skin tone you have, whether it is tanned or pale. You are always going to be concerned if anything is making your skin look darker.

Sunscreen, also known as sunblock or sun cream works as an armor for your skin, It is a photoprotective topical product for the skin which protects the skin from sun’s ultraviolet radiation and saves you from severe sunburns and deadly skin cancer.

Melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the names of two types of skin cancers, and these skin cancers can be diagnosed after dangerous radiations are shed on your skin.

So sunscreen is designed to protect your skin from these types of cancers but does sunscreen make your skin darker? Some best-formulated sunscreens are also manufactured by Pharma Health which makes sure that your skin does not look tan or darkened after using them.

Active ingredients:

In every sunscreen formula, some active ingredients are present, which are also called UV-absorbing compounds. These UV filters can be some of the organic compounds and inorganic compounds.

The organic compounds include bisoctrizole and phenylene bisdiphenyltrizine. But they are not that much used in sunscreens.

Inorganic compounds are zinc oxide and titanium oxide, they are also known as mineral filters. 

How does sunscreen work?

Sunscreens protect you from two types of ultraviolet rays, UV-1 and UV-2. These types of ultraviolet radiation are emitted by the sun. They can damage skin cells, and produce freckles, wrinkles and age spots on the skin and if you don't protect yourself from these radiations, they can even lead to cancer. So how exactly does sunscreen protect your skin from these rays? The answer to that is Sunscreens either absorb UV rays or scatter them off. After all this protection, does sunscreen make you tan faster? or does sunscreen make you tan at all?

Does sunscreen darken your skin?

Does sunscreen darker your skin? Or does sunscreen make you tan? These questions are all over the internet nowadays. Well, the simple response to that is no, sunscreen would not make your skin darker unless they are used in an incorrect way.

Basically, sunscreen or sunblock are designed and formulated to protect your skin from harmful radiations, they would not do anything else to your skin except to protect it. But, there are many factors and misuse of sunscreen that can lead to unnecessary tanning of your skin. So the answer to does sunscreen makes you tan faster?is yes maybe, if you don’t use them correctly.

Factors that can make your skin darker:

Sunscreens won't make you dark, but their incorrect use will cause tanning because sunscreens won't be effective if not applied properly. These are some of the factors that might have been happening to you and forced you to think does sunscreen darken your skin? Let us have a look at them:

  • Is your sunscreen worth using?

While using any sunscreen it should be your biggest concern if the sunscreen you are using should be used. Meaning is it expired? Because you should stop using any sunscreen after six months of buying it. After six months of use, every sunscreen loses its effectiveness, even though the expiry date on the bottle will still be up to 2 years.

  • Make sure to check SPF level:

SPF is a short form of Sun protecting factor. You should always check this factor before buying any sunscreen, the most recommended SPF level is 30 or above. Solaris Cream SPF 35 and Solaris SC SPF 40 PA+++ are some of the products offered by Pharma Health that go perfectly with the SPF recommendation with many whitening ingredients in them, hence, does sunscreen make you tan? Won't be a concern for you.

  • Are you applying your sunscreen properly?

1 SPF can protect your skin for 10 minutes. So if you use a sunscreen of more than 30 SPF, then you won't need to apply it for 4 to 5 hours. However, every sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 to 3 hours for the best protection. Also, don’t just use your sunscreen for your face, use it down your neck, shoulders and legs for better results.

  • How much sunscreen should be applied?

How much sunscreen should you apply that is enough to protect your skin from blue lights and UV radiation coming out of the sun? If we apply sunscreen superficially and on just the surface then it will not serve its function right. We should apply at least 2-3 ml of sunscreen if we’re working on the face. But if you apply the cream on your whole body then a large amount of sunscreen is needed.

  • How to use sunscreen properly?

Whenever you're about to go out, make sure to apply the sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before heading out in the sunlight, because the sunscreen takes time to penetrate into your skin, creating a protective wall in order to fight the radiation.

Make sure to wear other protective things as well like socks, sunglasses a cap to fight the sun.

Also apply the right amount of sunscreen, not too thick and not too thin.

Read More: Does Sunscreen Whiten Skin? Let’s Find The Truth

Conclusion:

The confusion regarding sunscreen’s effects and how does sunscreen makes you tan faster? is pretty much settled. Sunscreens will not do any harm till they are being used properly, in the right way.

This misconception may have arisen because whenever sunscreens are not applied properly or are not used in the right way, they don’t perform their functions as they are supposed to. Sunscreen doesn’t protect you from ultraviolet radiations which result in melanin production in your body, which causes hyperpigmentation, dark spots, wrinkles and ageing on the skin, only when it is used incorrectly.

To avoid that, you should use proper guidance on how to apply sunscreens and avoid using expired sunscreens. It’s better if you consult with your dermatologist before using any sunscreen. 

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