Mistake: Thinking you're exempt from sunscreen because you have dark or olive skin, The 15 Sunscreen Mistakes You're Making

The 15 Sunscreen Mistakes You're Making

These skin care tips will show you how not to be a repeat offender of sunscreen slip-ups

August 5, 2010 | by Molly Roemer | 32 COMMENTS

Mistake: Thinking you're exempt from sunscreen because you have dark or olive skin

Solution: You're not; you still need sunscreen. We live in a different environment now -- the ozone layer is not as strong as it used to be, says Evans. And while your ancestors might have gotten away with not wearing sunscreen, things have changed environmentally, so you need to make sure to wear sunscreen.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Mistake: Not wearing a high enough SPF while outdoors

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products mentioned

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Instant Mineral SPF 45

8.1

Baby Blanket Kids Sport Sunscreen

0.0

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock

8.9

Neutrogena Hand Cream

8.7

Kiehl's Lip Balm SPF 15

8.9

Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 PA+++

8.8

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I usually wear sunscreen on my face everyday, but now I guess I should start incorporating hats.

by Lili04 Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 03:27AM Report as inappropriate

ouch!

by LittleBunny Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 09:58AM Report as inappropriate

Great tips! I never wear sunscreen on my drive to work in the morning; I need to start doing it!

by Karica4 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 12:03PM Report as inappropriate

gotta start using sunscreen

by mayra_alonzo Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 06:48PM Report as inappropriate

As being sunscreen conscious is the best defense we have against the signs of aging it is important that we learn all we can and use the information!

by ShanthiDevi Monday, March 19, 2012 at 12:32AM Report as inappropriate

More people need to read and follow these instructions!!

by tallredamanda Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 05:21AM Report as inappropriate

I agree that sun protection is very important, but is sun really THAT bad? I live in a cold place where it's hardly ever sunny and I usually don't wear any protection. Let's be realistic, everybody is making these mistakes. There are so many rules that we are just not able to follow all of them.

by patricia89 Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 04:09AM Report as inappropriate

Ughh, I do lots of these wrong oops

by sportimonki13 Friday, December 30, 2011 at 12:28AM Report as inappropriate

Great info, thanks!

by grass Monday, December 5, 2011 at 05:54PM Report as inappropriate

ughh i do these sometimes

by Nicole2814 Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 10:11AM Report as inappropriate

ew tan lines.

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 01:13AM Report as inappropriate

I'm totally guilty of using old sunscreen. I never throw it out after a year like I should.

by ladyboarder9669 Monday, August 8, 2011 at 03:06PM Report as inappropriate

scalp, ears, lips. wow i make a lot of mistakes.

by mlira Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 02:16PM Report as inappropriate

interesting

by nikita_tadri Monday, July 18, 2011 at 02:55PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting, that is good info to know.

by MissPurple Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 11:36AM Report as inappropriate

wow, I never thought I could get sun damage through my car window! I'll definitely need to start apply SPF on my left arm

by awan0912 Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 04:22PM Report as inappropriate

i make a few of these mistakes

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 02:10PM Report as inappropriate

Oh, I learned some of these lessons early on the hard way. :( I'm glad to be reminded that powder sunscreen exists, though!

by bukiyounahito Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 09:10AM Report as inappropriate

Your scalp??? Really? Never knew that. Being in the military, they really don't give you a choice but to wear sunblock in extreme heat conditions. If you get sun burn, you can get counseled for destruction of government property LOL

by msbrown822 Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 06:56AM Report as inappropriate

WOW great article!

by volta Monday, May 30, 2011 at 07:35PM Report as inappropriate

Sunscreen always burned my sensitive skin until I discovered mineral (powder form) sunscreen. Love it! In this article, I appreciated the part about reapplying every 2 hours, etc. depending on your skin type. That makes sense!

by alictasia Monday, May 30, 2011 at 12:04PM Report as inappropriate

I use spray sunscreens because they cover any hard to get spaces. An NEVER forget your scalp, ears, lips, and feet.

by katprincess Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 07:26PM Report as inappropriate

i need to apply these tips more :/ im really bad about it

by addkg777 Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 04:26PM Report as inappropriate

I have been doing most of the tips here for years. I use more suncreen than they say to here.

by elena62 Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 09:11AM Report as inappropriate

i always forget my lips and ears, and i've never thought to protect my scalp. You'd think that would be the first thing to remember since it's in constant direct sunlight. And i even spent the day yesterday spraying my bf's head with sunblock since he shaves his head and burns easily, never once thought of mine. Wouldn't your hair block the sun though?

by luxylexi Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 09:04AM Report as inappropriate

I never think about my scalp.

by BellezzaBeauty Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 05:52AM Report as inappropriate

Make sense,make sense

by doglova Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 04:49AM Report as inappropriate

I forgot applying sunscreen on my lips,eyes and hair...wow...

by selma Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 03:53AM Report as inappropriate

I had no idea that all this was necessary

by modinosaur Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 12:53AM Report as inappropriate

I forget to apply SPF products to my lips and hair :(

by LipglossandSpandex Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 09:42PM Report as inappropriate

I am guilty of all except the tanning bed. i need to take my sun protection more seriously

by AmandaAmanda Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 07:13PM Report as inappropriate

the one about people thinking they are exempt from suncreen because they are darker skinned relates to me since i am tan. i always wear suncreen though. i saw a statistic that says people of color are more likely to have an advanced form of skin cancer when diagnosed! find out where you can get a free skin cancer screening at the american society for dermatologic surgery website

by kenya Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 10:30PM Report as inappropriate

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