Why didn't my sunscreen work?

2 min read

It is frustrating if you’ve used sunscreen thinking that you were protected only to find out later when you’ve already experienced severe sunburn that the sunscreen was not adequately protecting your skin.

There are literally hundreds of articles on the internet about people who have used sunscreen which didn’t protect them to the level they expected.

There are many reasons why the sunscreen used didn’t work, some of the potential reasons are highlighted below:

The sunscreen could be past its use by date, became unreliable over time or was part of a faulty batch in the first place.

The sunscreen didn’t block (zinc based sunscreen) or absorb (chemical based sunscreen) as much of the UV radiation because it had a lower (15 or below) SPF rating.

Sunscreen should be applied around 20 minutes before a person goes in the sun.

Most people don’t apply enough sunscreen in the first place.

The sunscreen was not applied consistently to all of the skin exposed to the sun.

Very few people re-apply sunscreen as regularly as they should.

If a person goes in the water or experiences perspiration they should reapply immediately.

Sunscreen should be considered a "last resort" not a primary means of sun protection

The key message from this blog is that sunscreen should be seen as a "last resort" for protecting a person from the sun on areas of their skin that absolutely have to be exposed to direct sunlight.

Sunscreen is a useful means of sun protection but should not be relied upon as the only means of protection from the sun as it is an application to the skin and there are many reasons why it might not perform as well as hoped, many highlighted above.

Wearing UPF 50+ sun protective clothing and a broad brim sun hat is the best way to prevent sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer

It is universally agreed upon by leading dermatologists that wearing UPF 50+ sun protecting clothing and broad brim hats is the best way to prevent sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer.

Solbari Sun Protection is the leading sun protective clothing brand in Australia with customers in over 70 countries.

You can find out more about Solbari's certified UPF50+ sun protective range by clicking the links below:
Women UPF50+
Men UPF50+
Sun hats UPF50+
Accessories UPF50+

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Content Disclaimer: All content on the Solbari website is for informational purposes only. It does not consitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions about your health or a medical condition.

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