Sun safety is a Kiwi summer tenet. Yet many myths about sunscreen prevail. Experts stress the same advice every season: reapply every two hours regardless of SPF, apply sunscreen even with an existing tan, and don’t rely on sunscreen alone for sun protection. Shade, protective clothing, and limiting midday exposure still matter just as much as what you put on your skin.
Consumer NZ’s sunscreen expert, Belinda Castles, urges Kiwis to rethink all things sunscreen. She says misleading marketing and persistent sunscreen and tanning myths can leave New Zealanders overpaying or under-protected.
“In the New Zealand environment, the best sunscreen is any you actually apply! But you have to apply it properly too – a lot and often. Don’t assume sunscreen is all you need, either. It’s important to limit your time in the sun when the sun’s rays are most intense and to wear protective clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses.”
Specially marketed children’s sunscreens, she notes, are often formulated with milder bases for sensitive skin. Still, if a child tolerates the family sunscreen without issue, parents don’t need to pay for a separate product.
Castles also wants New Zealanders to reconsider long-held beauty associations with tanned skin, reminding consumers that “a tan is a sign that skin damage has already started. You need to be even more careful about protecting it.” She warns that additional UV exposure significantly increases the risk of sunburn, premature ageing and, in the long term, skin cancer. “There is no such thing as a safe tan.”
One trend she finds particularly alarming is a TikTok fad circulating among young people that encourages deliberately burning for prominent tan lines when the UV index is highest. “For many people, having ‘sun-kissed’ or ‘naturally tanned’ skin is connected to deeply embedded beauty ideals. The irony is, further UV radiation considerably increases the risk of sunburn and loss of skin elasticity – resulting in wrinkled, pre-maturely aged, leathery skin and possibly skin cancer later in life.”
Sunscreen myths stem in part from misunderstandings about SPF. SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% and SPF 50 blocks 98%. None block 100%, and all require you reapply every two hours if you’re outside. Higher SPF does not extend the time between applications. Nor does having a tan reduce the need for sun protection; damaged skin is, in fact, more vulnerable.
When choosing a sunscreen, Castles prioritises how recently the product’s SPF was tested, noting inconsistent and outdated reporting in Aotearoa due to weak regulation. Because families can go through large quantities of sunscreen in summer, price also matters; Consumer NZ testing has shown that cheaper sunscreens can perform just as well as high-end brands.
According to Healthify, choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays is important. While SPF indicates defence against burning, UVA rays contribute to deeper skin ageing and long-term damage, making broad-spectrum labelling essential for comprehensive protection. The site also notes that different formulations suit different skin types: gels may be preferable for oily skin, creams for dry skin, and hypoallergenic or fragrance-free products for sensitive skin.
A two-coat approach is recommended. apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors, then reapply another layer 10 to 20 minutes later to ensure full coverage. Quantity matters too. Adults should use about one teaspoon per limb and a teaspoon each for the front, back, and face, which is roughly 35 ml for full coverage during a day at the beach. Babies and toddlers require extra care due to their delicate skin; Healthify advises keeping them out of direct sun when UV levels are high and patch-testing sunscreen before use.
Sunscreen is only effective if it’s stored correctly. Heat can degrade the active ingredients, so bottles should be kept in cool places and never left in hot cars or in direct sunlight. Products should be discarded if they have expired or if their colour or texture changes. Healthify also notes that some chemical ingredients, such as octinoxate, have been linked to environmental harm.
