It may not be what you want to hear, but there’s no such thing as a safe way to get a tan without skin damage. Yes, wearing sunscreen will significantly reduce tanning, but that’s the whole point! Every tan means UV damage to your skin, which means premature aging and increased risk of cancer.
Luckily, there are safe and healthy ways to get that bronze summer glow while protecting your skin for years to come. Learn the science behind tanning, the truths behind the myths, and how to get a gorgeous glow without the damage with the help of the UV protection experts at Bioré and the natural glow pioneers at Jergens.
The Short Answer: Yes, Sunscreen Prevents Tanning (Mostly)
Can you still tan with sunscreen on? Generally, the goal of wearing sunscreen is to avoid sun damage, and broad-spectrum SPF does a pretty great job of this, which means no tan. However, no sunscreen is 100% effective.
SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, so it should take 30 times longer for skin to burn than it would without sunscreen, while SPF 50 blocks 98%. Those 2-3% left over allows for a little bit of sun to get through and potentially tan your skin a little, but if used perfectly and paired with other measures like umbrellas, hats, and tightly-woven clothing, it shouldn’t be noticeable.
As long as you apply it thoroughly and frequently enough, broad-spectrum sunscreen does block UV rays, and should prevent most tanning and therefore damage.
Why a Tan = Skin Damage
You may love the way you look with a tan, but it’s actually a cry for help from your skin. What’s actually happening when you tan is that sun exposure triggers melanocyte cells in your body to make more of a pigment called melanin to protect it against burning.
This increased melanin is permanent, and studies have shown it can have toxic properties, especially after UV radiation exposure. These properties can cause cell breakdown, leading to long-term signs of premature photoaging like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, and even increased risk of skin cancer.
That’s why when you ask how to tan safely, the answer is that you really can’t; the idea of a “base tan” is a myth. While the additional melanin may provide a sun protection factor of 3 to 4 (meaning it will take slightly longer for your skin to burn), that protection is minimal compared to the SPF of sunscreens, and the damage has already been done.
While only UVB rays cause sunburns and tans by affecting the top layer of your skin (the epidermis), it’s important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA rays as well. This kind of radiation penetrates deep into your skin and causes those long-term signs of damage like freckles, sunspots, and melasma, plus skin cancers and basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Learn more about UVA and UVB rays here.
Why You Might Still Tan With Sunscreen On
Can you tan with sunscreen? Technically, it’s possible. But if you notice your skin getting more tan while you are wearing sunscreen, there’s a chance you might be doing one of these things wrong:
You didn't apply enough: Most people only use about one-quarter of the recommended amount of sunscreen. An adult should be using about a shot glass full of sunscreen every application.
You didn't reapply: Sunscreen isn’t a “set it and forget it” thing. You should reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, as water can remove some of it. To avoid this issue, learn more about when to apply sunscreen.
Your SPF isn't broad-spectrum: Basic sunscreens only protect against UVB rays, so it’s incredibly important to pick a broad-spectrum product that also stops UVA radiation, like Bioré’s cult-favorite UV Aqua Rich SPF 50.
You missed spots: People often forget to apply sunblock to their eyelids, scalp, lips, groin, hands, and feet, which is why they’re common sites for skin cancer to develop.
You confused SPF for UPF: While SPF is based on the time it takes for UV-exposed skin to burn, UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate through fabric and reach your skin. This is used for hats and clothing items meant to protect your skin from the sun.
How to Actually Glow Without the Damage
You may be thinking there’s no way for sunscreen and tanning to exist in the same skincare routine, but there is! Jergens Natural Glow Face Moisturizer With Sunscreen gives you protection and glow in one easy step, building natural-looking color and hydration for your delicate facial skin with every application. It doesn’t need to be a battle of self tanner vs. sunscreen — you can have both.
You don’t need to compromise on color to protect the skin on the rest of your body, either, with this easy two-step routine:
Part 1: Get Your Daily SPF Right
To help ensure your skin looks flawless for years to come, make sure to always protect it with daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 before sun exposure. The Bioré UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 is a perfect daily go-to thanks to its non-greasy formula that won’t clog pores, while the UV Aqua Rich Glow Enhancing Moisturizer SPF 50 is unsurpassed when you’re looking for extra radiance thanks to subtle mica shimmer and 1% Niacinamide. It was even an Allure Best of Beauty winner in 2024!
Part 2: Sunless Tan for the Bronze
Since sunscreen does prevent tanning, you’ll need to get that darker tone from a self-tanner. But how does it actually work? Self-tanning foams and lotions and gradual tanning moisturizers typicallyuse the same ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), to temporarily darken the skin tone. Because all natural tans are evidence of skin damage, using an active agent to superficially darken the skin is a great way to get that bronze glow without the associated sun damage.
Jergens makes it easy to dip your toe into self-tanning with their best-selling Jergens Natural Glow line, which allows you to gradually build color until it reaches your perfect shade. Here are some quick tips for getting started:
Exfoliate first: To prevent patchiness, make sure you don’t have any areas of dry skin that will hold more pigment.
Blend at the wrists and ankles: Feet and hands are often naturally more tan than the rest of your body, so blend the lotion lightly down onto these parts for a smooth transition.
Build gradually: Because you can add more color with each application, you’re able to build your sunless tan to your dream shade over time.
For a more immediate tan, try a regular self-tanner like Jergens Instant Sun. It can be a little trickier to apply, so check out these foolproof tips for how to apply self-tanner to get the perfect glow.
Conclusion
It’s time to start thinking of sunscreen as protection, not punishment. Yes, sunscreen does stop tanning, but you can still get a gorgeous glow! Just nourish your skin with the non-greasy, broad-spectrum SPF-rich moisture of Bioré’s sunscreens, and build your dream complexion with one of Jergens’ self-tan bundles, and you have the perfect combo for summer-ready skin without the damage!
FAQs
Can you still tan with SPF 50?
Sunscreens with SPF 50 allow only about 1/50th of harmful UV rays to reach your skin, blocking about 98%. So, does SPF 50 prevent tanning? Yes, but it is still possible for those remaining 2% to cause a slight tan, especially if not used or reapplied properly.
Can you tan with SPF 30?
SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, 1% less than SPF 50, giving it a slightly shorter lifespan and slightly less protection than its stronger counterpart. So, it’s more likely to tan with SPF 30, but it should still be minimal.
Does sunscreen stop you from getting any color at all?
If you’re asking “will I tan at all if I wear sunscreen?” the answer is that you ideally won’t get any color. It is still possible to tan slightly with sunscreen if not applied properly, but all tans are signs of damage, so it’s important to use sunscreen, limit sun exposure, and use physical sunblockers like hats and UV clothing to avoid this.
Is it bad to tan with sunscreen on?
It’s not healthy to intentionally tan under any circumstances, but sunscreens are a huge help in avoiding skin damage if you need to be out in the sun for long periods.
What SPF should I use if I want to tan safely?
We recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 if you’re going to be in the sun for a prolonged period of time.
Does self-tanner protect against the sun?
While self-tanner does give your skin a bronze glow, it does not offer sun protection unless it has additional SPF. You should pair your self-tanner with a sunscreen to ensure your skin is both safe and beautiful.
How long does sunless tan last?
Self-tanner can be expected to last 7-10 days due to the natural turnover of skin cells. Learn how to extend the life of your sunless tan, here.