If you read food labels, avoid processed junk, and spend your weekends outside — hiking, surfing, fishing, or chasing your kids through the sprinklers — you likely care about what goes on your skin as much as what goes in your body. But when it comes to sunscreen, myths still run wild.

At Waxhead Sun Defense, we believe truth matters — especially regarding your health and our planet's health. Let's bust some of the most common sunscreen myths and help you make sun-smart decisions year-round.

Myth #1: All Sunscreens Are Safe

False. Most sunscreens lining store shelves contain chemical UV filters like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate. These aren't just hard to pronounce — they're also hormone disruptors, marine pollutants, and potential allergens. Some even degrade in sunlight, reducing effectiveness while generating free radicals on your skin.

Waxhead sunscreens use only non-nano zinc oxide, a food-grade mineral, on top of your skin to reflect UV rays. It's the safest, most effective UV filter available — for your body and the environment.

Myth #2: SPF 100 Offers Double the Protection of SPF 50

SPF math isn't linear. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%. But that last 1% difference can be misleading — and it often comes with a heavier chemical load and a false sense of security.

Instead of chasing ultra-high SPF numbers, focus on broad-spectrum protection (UVA + UVB), water resistance, and regular reapplication — especially if you're sweating or swimming.

Myth #3: You Only Need Sunscreen at the Beach

UV exposure happens anytime you're outside, not just at the beach. Trail running, gardening, kayaking, skiing — it all adds up. Even cloudy days allow up to 80% of UV rays through. And don't forget high altitudes or reflective surfaces like water, sand, or snow, which bounce UV rays back onto your skin.

Bottom Line: if you're outside and the sun is up, you need sun protection—especially on commonly overlooked areas like ears, lips, scalp, and the backs of hands.

Myth #4: Tanning is Safer Than Burning

Tanning is damage. Period. Even if you don't burn, UV exposure still alters the DNA in your skin cells. Over time, this damage builds up and leads to premature aging, pigmentation issues, and skin cancer.

Our Philosophy: healthy skin doesn't tan. Protect it with mineral-based sunscreens, UPF clothing, hats, and smart sun habits. (If you want that sun-kissed look, try a zinc-based tinted sunscreen — we make a fantastic one that's reef-safe and made with food-grade ingredients.)

Myth #5: You Don't Need Sunscreen If You Eat Healthy

A clean, antioxidant-rich diet can help your skin defend itself, but it's not a replacement for sunscreen. Think of it this way: eating wild salmon, blueberries, and leafy greens gives your skin the building blocks it needs to recover and repair, but they won't stop UV rays from penetrating your skin in the first place.

Sunscreen is your first line of defense, not your only one. Pair a strong mineral sunscreen with a diet rich in polyphenols, omega-3s, and vitamins A, C, and E for optimal skin protection and resilience.

Myth #6: Sunscreen Is Only for Summer

Sun damage is cumulative, and it happens year-round. UVA rays — responsible for skin aging — consistently strengthen throughout all seasons. They also pass through glass, meaning your skin is still at risk while driving, sitting by a window, or working in a greenhouse.

If your lifestyle involves being outdoors, you need daily protection, whether walking the dog in February or paddleboarding in July.

Myth #7: Sunscreen Blocks All Vitamin D Production

This one keeps circulating in health circles, but here's the deal: you can still make vitamin D while wearing sunscreen, especially if you're active outdoors.

Sunscreen reduces UVB absorption, but most people don't apply enough, don't reapply as often as they should, and miss spots — so some UVB gets through. Plus, your body can make sufficient vitamin D from short periods of incidental sun exposure on areas like arms and legs, even when you're mostly protected.

Myth #8: Sunscreen Doesn't Expire

Yes, chemical sunscreens degrade over time — both in the bottle and on your skin — especially when exposed to heat or sunlight. That breakdown weakens protection and can even generate harmful byproducts.

Natural mineral sunscreens, like Waxhead, are different. Zinc oxide is a stable mineral (rock) that does not degrade, so its UV-blocking power doesn't fade over time. But here's the catch: the other ingredients — like coconut oil or plant-based butters — can spoil, especially in hot environments.

So, while the active UV protection remains solid, texture, scent, or consistency might change. That's why we recommend replacing Waxhead sunscreens every 3 years

Myth #9: Your Makeup with SPF Is Good Enough

SPF in makeup is a bonus, not a base layer. Most people apply too little makeup to reach the SPF rating on the label — and almost no one reapplies it every two hours.

A proper base layer of zinc oxide sunscreen under your makeup gives you true broad-spectrum protection. You can layer makeup on top or try a tinted mineral sunscreen that doubles as a light foundation. Either way, don't rely on the SPF foundation alone if you spend time outdoors.

Myth #10: Kids Don't Need Sunscreen Unless It's Really Sunny

Children's skin is thinner and more sensitive and absorbs more of what you put on it—including harmful chemicals. UV damage starts early and accumulates over a lifetime. Experts estimate that up to 80% of total lifetime sun exposure happens before age 18.

We designed Waxhead sunscreen with children's health in mind. It contains no parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, or chemical UV filters. It uses clean, food-grade ingredients and non-nano zinc oxide. Protect your little wild things early, and you protect their skin for life.

Final Recap: 10 Sunscreen Myths Busted

1. All sunscreens are safe – Nope. Most contain questionable chemicals.
2. SPF 100 is twice as good as SPF 50 – It's marginally better and often misleading.
3. You only need sunscreen at the beach – UV is everywhere daily.
4. Tanning is healthier than burning – Both are skin damage.
5. Healthy eating replaces sunscreen – Diet helps, but sunscreen shields.
6. Sunscreen is only for summer – UV exposure happens year-round.
7. Mineral sunscreens are too thick and chalky – Not anymore, especially not ours.
8. Sunscreen doesn't expire – It does, and expired = ineffective.
9. Makeup with SPF is enough – Not even close.
10. Kids don't need sunscreen unless it's hot and sunny – Early UV damage is severe.

Stay Smart, Stay Protected

The sun is life-giving, but it's also powerful. Your skin is your largest organ and deserves the protection that aligns with your values: safe ingredients, smart science, and serious performance.

Waxhead's line of mineral sunscreens is designed for people who live outside the box — and outside in the sun. With food-grade ingredients, non-nano zinc oxide, and a commitment to reef-safe, kid-safe, and life-safe formulas, we make it easy to protect what matters most.

The Waxhead Way

Whether you're climbing mountains, surfing breaks, or wrangling toddlers in the backyard, sun protection should be clean, effective, and easy. We've built every Waxhead product to meet the highest safety and performance standards — for you, your family, and the natural world you love.

10 Sunscreen Myths Debunked for Healthy Skin